Ram 1500 Towing Capacity
How much weight can a 2027 Ram 1500 actually tow?
The 2027 Ram 1500 can tow up to 12,750 lbs when properly equipped; capacity drops with lighter axle ratios, smaller engines, and heavier cab or bed configurations.
Latest model year (2027):
The Ram 1500 can tow up to 12,750 lbs (5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque, 3.92 axle).
Ram 1500 Towing — All Years
| Year | Trim | Configuration | Max Towing | Payload | Curb Weight | GCWR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | — | 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque, 3.92 axle | 12,750 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2026 | — | 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque, 3.92 axle | 12,750 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2025 | — | 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque, 3.92 axle | 12,750 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque, 3.92 axle | 12,750 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque, 3.92 axle | 12,750 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque, 3.92 axle | 12,750 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque, 3.92 axle | 12,750 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque, 3.92 axle | 12,750 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque, 3.92 axle | 12,750 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.92 axle | 10,650 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.92 axle | 10,650 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.92 axle | 10,650 lbs | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.92 axle | 10,650 lbs | — | — | — |
Manufacturer specification data sourced from Manufacturer published towing specifications, last verified August 11, 2026. Always confirm against the owner's manual or door-jamb placard before towing or buying tires — figures vary by cab, bed, axle ratio, and options.
Ram 1500 data analysis
Max towing capacity: 12,750 lbs
The Ram 1500 tows 12,750 lbs at most (5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque, 3.92 axle), on the 2027 model year. That is three-quarter-ton capacity — large travel trailers, car haulers, two-horse trailers with living quarters. The floor is 10,650 lbs — only 16% under the peak. Any version of this vehicle tows within a trailer-load of any other. That is rank 6 of 51 tow-rated vehicles here — top quartile. The cohort median is 5,600 lbs, so this vehicle sits 7,150 lbs above the middle of the field. Next rung up is the GMC Sierra at 13,200 lbs, 450 lbs clear of this one. Immediately behind: the Toyota Tundra at 12,000 lbs. Hitch requirement at full weight: Class V weight-distributing.
What it tows loaded
Plan around 10,200 lbs, not 12,750. The rating assumes one driver and nothing else — no passengers, no cargo, no roof rack, no aftermarket bumper. Tongue weight on a 10,200 lb trailer is 1,280–1,910 lbs, and that lands on payload, not on the tow rating. Payload is not published for every configuration in this record. The yellow door-jamb sticker on the specific vehicle is the governing number. Trailers over 3,000 lbs need their own brakes in most states, and this vehicle is rated well past that, so budget for a brake controller. Anything this pulls needs trailer brakes and a weight-distributing hitch. The tow rating is not the hard part; stopping is. Manufacturers publish these under SAE J2807 where they adopt it; older model years predate the standard and are not directly comparable to newer ones.
Which configuration hits the number
13 rated configurations across 13 model years (2015–2027). Two paths through the range: 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque, 3.92 axle and 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.92 axle. Everything else is shared. Adding a receiver to a vehicle built without the tow package buys you a place to hang a trailer, not the rating that goes with it. Sources for these 13 rows: manufacturer filings, covering 13 model years.
How Ram 1500 maximum towing capacity varies
Across 13 configurations recorded for the 2015 through 2027 Ram 1500, maximum towing capacity runs from 10,650 lbs to 12,750 lbs. The strongest figure belongs to the 2019 Ram 1500 (5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque, 3.92 axle) at 12,750 lbs, and the weakest to the 2018 car (5.7L HEMI V8, 3.92 axle) at 10,650 lbs — a spread of 20%. A gap that wide means the model year and configuration you buy matter more than the nameplate does: quoting a single number for the Ram 1500 would be misleading.
What changed for 2027
Average maximum towing capacity for the 2027 Ram 1500 is 12,750 lbs, against 12,750 lbs for the 2026 car — it held flat. A carry-over year like this usually means no powertrain or structural change, so an older example is the cheaper way into the same specification.
Configurations behind these Ram 1500 numbers
The 2015 through 2027 Ram 1500 entries here cover the variants 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque, 3.92 axle and 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.92 axle. 2027 is the busiest model year in the record with 1 separate measured configuration, which is why a single quoted maximum towing capacity figure for that year is rarely the one that matches the car in front of you. Match the row to the exact drivetrain, body style and engine on the window sticker or VIN before relying on the number, and use the comparison links below to see how those same configurations line up against rival models.
Official Factory Specs vs. AutoSpecData Expert Benchmarks
Factory ratings are measured cold, flat, and empty. These are the numbers we would actually hook a trailer to.
| Measurement | Official factory spec | AutoSpecData expert benchmark | Shop note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max trailer weight | 12,750 lbs | 10,200 lbs | 80% safety margin. Flat highway, properly equipped, brakes on the trailer. |
| Sustained grade / heat | 12,750 lbs | 8,950 lbs | 70% margin for mountain passes, summer heat, and altitude. |
| Tongue weight at safe limit | — | ~1,200 lbs | 12% of the loaded trailer. Too light and it sways at 65 mph. |
The Ram 1500 benchmark applies our 80% Towing Safety Margin (80% everyday / 70% grades) to the manufacturer's rating. It is a working recommendation, not a factory figure — the door placard and hitch label still win.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1500 Towing
How much can a Ram 1500 tow?
The Ram 1500 can tow up to 12,750 lbs with the 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque, 3.92 axle configuration. Capacity varies by engine, axle ratio, cab and bed configuration — see the year-by-year table above.
What is the payload capacity of the Ram 1500?
Payload figures depend on trim and options — always check the yellow sticker on the driver's door jamb of your specific vehicle.
Do I need a weight distribution hitch with the Ram 1500?
Most manufacturers require a weight distribution hitch once trailer weight exceeds roughly 5,000 lbs, and tongue weight should stay near 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight. Confirm the exact threshold in your owner's manual before towing.