Ram 1500s are among the most popular pickup trucks you’ll see driving around. Again, they are well known for their enormous power output, and as a result, are favourites when it comes to towing.
So, what is the towing capacity of the Ram 1500 truck? Is the Ram 1500 a worthy competitor among other trucks within its class?
This article answers those questions in the finest detail. In addition, it highlights the towing capacity of every truck in each generation of the Ram 1500. So stick around to find out more.
Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup Truck Overview
The Ram pickup is a full-size pickup manufactured by Stellantis North America. It was marketed under the name Dodge Ram until 2010 when it was officially marketed under the Ram Trucks brand.
The name Ram was initially used to refer to a pickup truck in around 1981, with the emergence of the Ram 150. It was a successor of the D-series pickup trucks and B-Series vans. The production of the Ram 150s continued until 1993 when the term Ram 1500 emerged. Ram 150 models produced from 1980 to 1993 can be considered as the first generation Ram 1500s. The second generation was introduced in July 1993 and ran until 2001. The third generation came at around 24th July 2001to 2008. The fourth generation comes between 2009 and 2018, while the fifth generation runs from 2019 to date.
It is a no-brainer that the Ram 1500’s quality features precede the award-winning profile of the truck brand. So, out of the many spectacular features, let’s look into the Ram 1500’s towing capacity. However, we can first brush over what factors determine the towing capacity of these Ram trucks.
Here’s the generation-to-generation comparison of the Ram 1500 trucks.
Dodge Ram 1500 Towing Capacity Details
2020 – 2021 Ram 1500 Models
This is the most current phase of the Ram 1500 truck’s production. We have three different engine options on the 2020 Ram 1500s; the 3.0L, 3.7L, and 5.7L variants. The overall towing capacity across the 2020 Ram models ranges from 6390lbs to 12750lbs.
The lowest tow ratings come from the 3.6L engine (6390-7710lbs). The 3.0L engine has an average tow capacity of 7850-12560 pounds, while the 5.7L range is at 8120-12750 pounds. Of course, factors like axle ratio and transmission system work to make minor differences between similar engines.
2019 Ram 1500 Model
Again, we have three engine preferences on the 2019 Ram 1500 model; the 3.0L, 3.6L, and 5.7L engine. The average towing capacity of the 2019 Ram 1500s averaged between 4300 and 10710 pounds.
The 3.6L recorded the lowest towing capacity, followed by the 3.0L, while the 5.7L engine produced the highest numbers. The 3.6L had an average capacity of 4370-7680lbs, while the 3.0L and 5.7L came in with 7540-9290lbs and 4790-10710lbs, respectively.
Different towing capacities between identical engine types are brought about by factors like axle ratio and transmission mode.
2014 – 2018 Ram 1500 Models
The Ram 1500s within this range have a similarity in the engine types they come in. Mainly, these are the 3.0L, 3.6L, and 5.7L engines. Their towing capacity ranges from 4050 to 10650 pounds. The 3.6L engines recorded the lowest towing capacity (4050-7610lb). Interestingly, 3.0L had a higher towing capacity than the 3.6L engine, with a range of 6800-9240lbs. On the other hand, the 5.7L engine had the highest numbers, ranging between 4900 and 10650 pounds.
2013 Ram 1500 Model
The 2013 Ram 1500s were unique. That is because they offered a different engine portfolio from the rest of the Rams that preceded them. The engine models were 3.6L, 4.7L, and 5.7L. Depending on the configuration of your car, the towing capacity of your 2013 Ram 1500 ranged from 4000-10450 pounds. The 3.6L had the lowest tow capacity numbers, ranging between 4000 and 6500 pounds. The 4.7L numbers ranged between 5700 and 7700 pounds. 5.7L engines were the best, with towing capacity ratings lying between 4900 and 10450 pounds.
2007 – 2012 Ram 1500 Models
We have the same three engine types from the previous models, the 3.7L V6, 4.7L V8, and 5.7L V8. The general towing capacity of Ram 1500s within this group ranged from 2900-11500 pounds.
In all six years, the 3.7L V6 performed the poorest on towing due to its smaller power output compared to the rest. The towing capacity for the 3.6L was ranging between 2900-3800 pounds.
4.7L engines were a bit better than the 3.7L variants and gave a towing capacity of around 3850-7700 pounds. On the other hand, 5.7L engines were the most powerful in this class and provided a towing capacity within the range of 4900-11500 pounds.
2006 Ram 1500 Model
The 2006 Ram 1500 comes with three engine specifications; the 3.7L V6, 4.7L V8, and 5.7L V8. Again, the smaller 3.7L engines recorded the lowest towing capacity at around 2900-3800 pounds. The 4.7L came in at 3700-7650 pounds, while the 5.7L V8 recorded 7350-9100lbs of towing capacity.
However, a special model was introduced this year, the 8.3L V10, and came with 8150lbs of towing capacity.
2004 – 2005 Ram 1500 Models
Ram produced only three engines; the 3.7L V6, 4.7L V8, and 5.7L V8.the towing capacity of the 3.7L engines in both years ranged from 2950 to 3850lbs. The 4.7L was more powerful and recorded around 3750-7750 pounds in towing capacity. The 5.7L engine came in at around 7500-9250 pounds. Moreover, the differences in numbers between matching engine sizes were brought about by axle ratios.
2003 Ram 1500 Model
IIn 2003, Ram 1500 had three engine specifications, the 3.7L V6, 4.7L V8, and 5.9 V8. The overall towing capacity ranged from 3350lbs to 8650lbs. The 3.7L engine recorded the lowest tow capacity. The M/T variant has a 3350lb rating, while the A/T one comes in at 3750lbs. The 4.7lL engine ranged from 4700-7700lbs. Finally, the 5.7 engine’s tow capacity ranged between 7600 and 8650lbs.
2002 Ram 1500 Model
The 2002 Ram came in three engine variants, the 3.7V6, 4.7L, and 5.9L V8. The towing capacity for Ram trucks within this year is between 3350lbs and 8650lbs. The 3.7L V6 brings out an average tow capacity that ranges from 3350-3800 lbs. The 4.7L’s towing capacity ranges between 4450 and 7750 pounds. The 5.9L is the best in towing, giving an average figure between 7000 and 8350lbs.
1994 – 2001 Ram 1500 Models
During this period, the Dodge Ram 1500 trucks had three engine types, the 3.9L V6, 5.2L V8, 5.9L V8. The 5.9L and 5.2L engines were stronger than the 3.9L and hence provided a higher towing capacity. The 1994-2001 Dodge Ram pickup trucks had a towing capacity of around 3300 to 5200lbs across all engine types.
Bonus: Dodge Ram 5500 Towing Capacity [2000 – 2021]
What Affects the Towing Capacity of the Ram 1500?
Several factors bring out the differences in the towing capacities of Ram 1500 trucks.
Engine Choice
The engine type is the stand-out determining factor in towing capacities of different Ram 1500 models over the years. Across the five generations, the 5.7L records the highest towing capacities, while the 3.6L and 3.7L give the lowest numbers. That is because the 5.7L is probably the biggest engine and gives higher horsepower than the rest.
Cab Configurations
There’s a little difference brought about by cab configurations, by a couple of hundred pounds, when it comes to towing. However, that is typical for all manufacturers, and you’ll notice the same from the comparison in the next section.
Axle Ratios
Interestingly, some Ram 1500s come with two-axle ratio options. The axle ratio you equip strikes out a difference from the other by a reasonable margin.
When we combine all these four factors, it is clear that the Ram 1500 models with a larger (5.7L) engine and a higher axle ratio had the best towing specs. On the contrary, the models with the smaller (3.6/3.7L) engines and low axle ratios recorded below-average towing performance.
Outro
To find a specific towing capacity for a certain engine, there are several unique things you need to check on. First, you need to know your engine, axle ratio, and transmission. You can find all this information on the VIN, located at the rear differential housing of your car.
About the towing capacities discussed above, other factors lead to the differences in values, like cab configuration and axle ratios. You can find all that information here or download the Ram 1500 year-specific manuals from their website.
Have you now known the towing capacity of your Ram 1500? If you have any views or comments, or questions, don’t hesitate to reach out. Happy towing!
Read more: Dodge Ram 2500 Towing Capacity [2000-2021]
