Contents
- How Much Will a RAM 1500 Tow?
- What Travel Trailer Size Can A RAM 1500 Pull?
- Can a RAM 1500 Tow a Fifth Wheel Trailer?
- The Towing Capacity of Different RAM 1500 Models and Years
- What Affects the Overall Towing Capacity Of The RAM 1500?
- Which Full-Size Trucks Provide Similar Towing Capacities to the RAM 1500?
- RAM 1500 Towing Capacity FAQ
How Much Will a RAM 1500 Tow?
Hauling peers are up for some good news with the pulling power of the 2022 edition of the RAM 1500. The truck brand offers five engines for its latest addition to the RAM line vehicles, with the 5.7L HEMI V8 Engine with eTorque and the 6.2L HEMI V8 providing the highest towing capacity of 12,750 lbs. The flagship Supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 Engine has the same maximum towing capacity of 12,750 lbs, it does go from 0 to 60 MPH in 4.5 seconds, has 702 horsepower, and 650 lb of torque.
What Travel Trailer Size Can A RAM 1500 Pull?
A RAM 1500 can easily pull between 7,730 and 12,750 lbs – but the number is dependent on the specific trim. The highest towing capacity comes with the 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque option, while the 3.6L Pentastar V6 with eTorque engine can pull up to 7,730 lbs.
The RAM 1500 was engineered to be a sturdy truck that could haul immense weight anywhere. Its durability makes it the preferred choice for towing large travel trailers. The maximum towing capacity is available with the more powerful engine and specialized towing package.
On average, travel trailers weighing 9,000 pounds will not be a challenge for any of the high-end RAM models. However, it’s recommended to stay within the specified limits for better maneuverability and safety.
For reference, a travel trailer like the Airstream Classic 30 FB, with 8,000 lbs dry weight and length of 31.5 feet, can easily be towed with the RAM 1500 models.
Thanks to the powerful engines and robust chassis, the truck will accommodate various sized trailers and campers. In that regard, towing a medium-sized camper trailer with your RAM 1500 will be an effortless drive.
Moreover, RAM has a track record of providing durability when pulling things on rough and snow-laden roads.
Can a RAM 1500 Tow a Fifth Wheel Trailer?
The RAM 1500 can handle moderately heavy loads, and technically speaking, some types of fifth-wheeler trailers are within its reach. However, the truck lacks the separate towing capacity for larger fifth-wheelers.
One of the problems is that the truck bed is short, requiring a stationary hitch and extra equipment to get the full potential. You probably already know that fifth-wheelers are more appropriate for heavy-duty trucks.
This fact should not discourage RAM 1500 owners or potential buyers, as it’s not impossible to tow a fifth-wheel trailer. You just have to follow the specifications carefully and select a fifth-wheeler that is lighter and within the truck’s towing capabilities.
The bottom line is – if you’re hoping to stay in the RAM family and you want to tow a large fifth-wheel trailer, the RAM 2500 would be a more suitable option.
The Towing Capacity of Different RAM 1500 Models and Years
Dodge keeps to its original vision of the RAM 1500 but includes yearly improvements, which reflects in the towing capacity as well. Inspect the models by year and identify the engine performance and how it has shaped the towing discussion relating to this truck.
| RAM 1500 by year | Low-end engine | Middle-end engine | High-end engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 RAM 1500 | 3.6L Pentastar V6 - 7,610 lbs towing capacity | 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 - 9,210 lbs towing capacity | 5.7L HEMI® V8 eTorque -10,640 lbs towing capacity |
| 2018 RAM 1500 | 3.6L Pentastar V6 - 7,600 lbs towing capacity | 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 - 9,210 lbs towing capacity | 5.7L HEMI® V8 eTorque - 10,620 lbs towing capacity |
| 2019 RAM 1500 | 3.6L Pentastar V6 - 6,250 lbs towing capacity | 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 - 12,560 lbs towing capacity | 5.7L HEMI® V8 eTorque - 12,750 lbs towing capacity |
| 2020 RAM 1500 | 3.6L Pentastar V6 - 7,730 lbs towing capacity | 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 - 12,560 lbs towing capacity | 5.7L HEMI® V8 eTorque - 12,750 lbs towing capacity |
| 2021 RAM 1500 | 3.6L Pentastar V6 - 7,730 lbs towing capacity | 3.0L EcoDiesel V6- 12,560 lbs towing capacity | 5.7L HEMI® V8 eTorque - 12,750 lbs towing capacity |
| 2022 RAM F1500 | 3.6L Pentastar V6 - 7,730 lbs towing capacity | 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 - 12,560 lbs towing capacity | 5.7L HEMI® V8 eTorque - 12,750 lbs towing capacity |
What Affects the Overall Towing Capacity Of The RAM 1500?
The engine’s power is the first thing that comes to mind when considering the towing performance of a pick-up truck. But in reality, the engine is only one component of the entire design that facilitates efficient and safe hauling of materials and campers.
Several other crucial parameters contribute to the pull of the RAM 1500. Let’s have a more detailed look at them and see what makes them tick.
Engine Strength
For the 2022 model, RAM has 3 different engines, each of which delivers a different level of performance. The 5.7L HEMI V8 Engine with eTorque pumps out 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft. of torque, enabling the truck to pull up to 12,750 lbs. The same engine without eTorque offers 11,610 lbs of towing potential.
Shoulder to shoulder with the two previously mentioned engine models is the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 Engine that generates torque amounting to 480 lb-ft, which is enough force to haul 12,560 lbs.
At the lower end of the spectrum, we have the 3.6L PENTASTAR V6 Engine with eTorque that maxes out at 305 horsepower and produces 269 lb-ft. of torque, making it suitable for towing up to 7,730 lbs.
Axle Ratio
The torque, which is the force required to rotate an object around its axis, is an important parameter when considering the truck’s towing capacity. A higher axle ratio offers more torque, translating into a bigger and more consistent pull. The downside is that fuel consumption increases.
The RAM 1500 has an axle ratio of 3.92 with the 5.7L V-8 HEMI and the 3.0L V-6 EcoDiesel. The standard option with the 3.6L V-6 engine has an axle ratio of 3.21. When hauling heavy loads, you will sacrifice speed by compensating with more power to pull the extra weight.
The Length and Weight of the Truck
The overall length of the 2022 edition of the RAM 1500 is 232.9 inches. Depending on the model, the truck’s bed takes 5 foot 7 inches or 6-foot 4-inch of the overall length. The width, including the mirrors, is 82.1 inches. The weight is not as uniform and ranges from 4,775 pounds to 6,439 pounds unloaded.
Why the discrepancy? There are eight versions of the RAM 1500 properly named Tradesman, Tradesman HFE, Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, Limited Longhorn, Limited, and TRX.
With 6,439 pounds, the TRX is the king in the weight department, while the skinniest truck in the series is the Tradesman at 4,775 pounds.
Payload
There is a difference between the curb weight and the gross vehicle weight. The former reveals the empty weight of the truck, while the latter indicates how much load a truck can support, including passengers and cargo.
In the case of the RAM 1500, the payload capacity will vary depending on the selected configuration. Every model differs in the bed length and type of cabin.
However, dimensions affect the size of material that can get transported and the number of passengers. What we are after is their allowed weight, and you’ll find that the manufacturers state that the maximum payload capacity is 2,300 pounds.
The respectable payload is possible because of the durability offered by the high-strength steel frame. The frame makes the RAM 1500 series a workhorse for construction workers and farmers, as it’s an all-terrain vehicle that can safely transport material and up to 6 passengers in the quad cabin type.
Tongue Weight
When using a truck for towing, weight is a crucial piece of the equation. Although many only consider the weight of a camper or trailer, the tongue weight shouldn’t get overlooked. Knowing your vehicle tongue weight ensures safe travel; otherwise, you may get in trouble when towing a trailing boat or camper.
Tongue weight is the amount of loaded weight that sits behind the truck’s rear axle. Going over the vehicle’s specified tongue weight would result in improper balance with swaying and wobbling, creating a potentially dangerous driving situation.
The RAM 1500 tongue weight is 1,100 pounds, meaning hitching any trailer that exceeds 12,000 pounds is a risky move. Take note, though, that this only applies for the high-end models in the 2022 series of RAM 1500. You should consult your owner’s guide or your dealer for the lower-tier versions.
Towing Package
The towing package consists of parts that improve the safety and capacity of a truck to pull campers and trailers. RAM offers several options, and most models come with standard features already installed, but drivers can also upgrade an existing model.
The typical set-up comes with a hitch receiver, an integrated trailer brake controller, a seven-pin wiring harness, and a trailer brake-wiring harness. In addition to extra-large mirrors, there’s a rear backup camera, coupled with a parking assist system that improves awareness when backing out of thigh spaces.
Trailer Tow Package
Marketers are very crafty in repackaging items and selling them under a new label, offering better performance. The trailer tow packages sometimes confuse drivers, wondering if there is a substantial difference from the standard tow packages. Moreover, there are plenty of after-market products that can improve towing capabilities.
However, in the case of RAM, its dedicated trailer tow package is named Trailer-Tow Group. It comes with a Class IV receiver hitch and trailer brake controller, which is electronic with full integration, and there are the trailer tow mirrors. This is not the fanciest gear, but it gets the job done.
Which Full-Size Trucks Provide Similar Towing Capacities to the RAM 1500?
Trucks are getting firmer, with full-size pickups cruising effortlessly with 12.700 pounds hitched to the back. While RAM 1500 is becoming an iconic brand for truck enthusiasts, this is not the only full-size pick-up in town.
The competition is intense, with several manufacturers delivering on advertised towing capacities. For you, selecting the appropriate truck for towing will balance your lifestyle and utility.
Some of the models with similar towing performances include:
- GMC Sierra 1500 – up to 9,400 lbs
- Toyota Tundra – up to 12,000 lbs
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 – up to 11,000 lbs
- Ford F-150 – up to 11,300 lbs
RAM 1500 Towing Capacity FAQ
Which RAM 1500 Can Tow the Most?
The maximum towing capacity for a 2022 edition of the RAM 1500 is 12,750 pounds. However, not all models for the popular series are created equal. As a general rule in the 2022 RAM 1500 series, if you are sporting a V8 under the hood, you are set to go with the maximum hauling capacity.
Can a 2022 Ram 1500 Tow a Fifth Wheeler?
The short answer is yes, but it is not that simple. Fifth Wheel towing uses a non-conventional hitch, which connects to the truck’s bed over the rear axle. This set-up creates different weight requirements, opposite to the standard rear hitch towing, and places the RAM 1500 at the limits of what’s possible with a fifth-wheel trailer or camper. Each 2022 model has different towing capacities, which complicates matters even more. If planning to tow a lighter fifth-wheel trailer that you can pull off, but for bigger campers, it’s best to go for a different model truck.
What Is the Longest Trailer You Can Pull With a Ram 1500 Pickup Truck?
The maximum legal length of the trailer is 45 feet, but with the RAM 1500, you should stick to campers and trailers that are 30 feet in length and meet the weight requirements. Most campers in that class are between 8,000 and 12,000 pounds, which is within RAM 1500 pulling capacity. Turning at corners requires a different driving style when you have another object hitched to the truck. Be aware of the extra length behind the truck when hauling a trailer.