Dodge RAM 1500 Towing Capacity: What To Know

in Model Info and Features
Black Dodge Ram

Dodge Ram by Kevauto — CC-BY-SA-4.0

Many truck shoppers out there care about a few particular things when it comes to what truck they’ll buy next: performance, reliability, and towing capacity. Towing capacity isn’t something everyone thinks about, but those that do, tend to want a lot of it. The Dodge RAM 1500 is often hailed as one of the finest modern trucks out there, and a large part of what draws drivers to it is its ability to haul large loads of equipment. If you’re interested in buying a RAM 1500 for its towing capacity, look no further. Here, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Dodge RAM 1500 towing capacity!

What is Towing Capacity?

The towing capacity of your truck is what decides exactly how much material you can safely transport. It decides the weight of the load that your truck can pull with a trailer without problems arising from too heavy a load. This means that it’s of the utmost importance that you be aware of what your towing capacity is and how much you’ll be towing because going past that limit can have a variety of dangerous consequences. 

Now, you’re probably wondering exactly how to find your towing capacity. There are a few different ways to do this. The easiest and possibly most accurate comes from simply finding your manufacturer’s given number in the owner’s manual that came with your vehicle. You may also be able to find this on a sticker inside the driver’s side door, on the door jamb itself. Lastly, if you really want to, you can also calculate the towing capacity on your own, and it isn’t as difficult as you might think! This involves taking the gross combined weight of your vehicle, meaning your vehicle’s weight plus the weight of your trailer and the load, and subtracting the curb weight, which is the weight of your vehicle when it’s totally empty. This should lead you to find your towing capacity, but it’s always easier to find out what your manufacturer says.


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How Much Can the Dodge RAM 1500 Tow?

The 2021 Dodge RAM 1500 towing capacity actually depends heavily on the engine you go with, and there are a few different choices. Regardless of what you choose, it’s worth saying that the 2021 Dodge RAM 1500 has incredible towing power, and you’ll be able to haul massive loads even with the weakest engine. Now then, let’s get into the details. 

The 2021 Dodge RAM 1500 with the 3.6 liter Pentastar V6 engine has a towing capacity of up to 7,730 pounds. The next step up, the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine immediately raises the bar by a huge amount, upgrading the Dodge RAM 1500 towing capacity to 11,610 pounds. If you still want more, you’ll want to take a look at equipping your RAM 1500 with one of the next two engines. The 3-liter EcoDiesel V6 engine grants the RAM 1500 a towing capacity of 12,560 pounds, and the 5.7 liter HEMI V8 engine with eTorque can tow up to 12,750 pounds. These same measurements with their corresponding engines are true for the last few years of Dodge RAM 1500 towing capacity as well. 

How Does This Compare to Competitors?

With its extremely high towing capacity, the Dodge RAM 1500 is the top of the line when it comes to hauling heavy loads. None of its competitors are able to match up. Some may be better options than the RAM 1500 when it comes to other factors like reliability or entertainment features, but in terms of towing capacity, the RAM 1500 can’t be beaten. One of the closest ones is the 2021 Ford F-150, which can tow between 5,000 and 11,300 pounds. Another competitor is the 2021 Toyota Tundra, but it still falls short in comparison to the Dodge RAM 1500 because of its towing capacity of 8,800 to 10,200 pounds. The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado can haul 7,200 to 9,700 pounds, and the 2021 GMC Sierra 1500 has a towing capacity of 7,400 to 9,500 pounds. With its ability to pull massive amounts of weight due to its towing capacity of 7,730 to 12,750 pounds, the 2021 Dodge RAM 1500 just can’t be beaten. If towing capacity is your priority above all else, be sure to get one of these with the 5.7 liter HEMI V8 engine with eTorque. 


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Other Towing Features of the Dodge RAM 1500

The 2021 Dodge RAM 1500 towing capacity is already incredible, but it gets even better with the suite of additional towing features you can choose to purchase on top of the base model. Features like trailer light check and trailer tire pressure monitoring will make your towing experience safer and more secure, while other features, including hill start assist, will just make your life easier. Other safety features include electronic roll mitigation, electronic stability control, and power fold mirrors that increase your visibility so you can keep an eye on what you’re towing and make sure everything is set.


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Everything Else You Need to Know

Towing your items safely is always important and should not be overlooked. Something many people might not know is that not all trailers are made to fit with all vehicles, so you should first check that you can actually use the trailer you have in mind with your Dodge RAM 1500. Once you’ve confirmed this, you should load up the trailer carefully. Ensure that the load is balanced and tightly secured so that driving and braking will go smoothly without your objects flying around unwanted. What you have to be sure of most of all is that you never exceed the Dodge RAM 1500 towing capacity while loading your trailer. If you ignore this, you might find yourself and your trailer in harm’s way, and that should be avoided at all costs.



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