Towing the Line with Ram: Which Ram Trucks Can Tow the Most?

Understanding Towing Capacity

Whether towing is old hat to you or you're new to the whole experience, EAG Dodge Mt. Pleasant is here to break down everything you need to know about towing with Ram trucks. Let's take a look at which Ram trucks can tow and haul the most.

Know Before You Buy

There are two types of Ram trucks; light-duty and heavy-duty. The Ram 1500 is our light-duty truck. Depending on equipment, the Ram 1500 can tow up to 7,760 pounds. As you can see, this is no lightweight. The Ram 1500 is a great choice if you need to tow a boat, travel trailer, ATV, or another recreational vehicle. For most people, the Ram 1500 has plenty of power to tow what you need.

However, if you're not most people, you may need the extra power and muscle of a Ram 2500 or Ram 3500. These trucks can tackle the biggest loads, including horse trailers, large RVs, sailboats, and fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailers.

The Ram 2500 can tow up to 15,570 pounds. The Ram 2500 is plenty for most large jobs, but if you're looking for the power to tow things like flatbeds and large horse trailers, you might want to step up to the Ram 3500 with its massive 37,090 towing capacity when properly equipped. A dually version of this truck is also available.

Towing Considerations

There are some things to be aware of when you're figuring out how much towing capability you need. The first thing to know is the weight ratings of your truck and trailer. Let's discuss some common towing items and how much they weigh. If you're looking to transport livestock, it will depend on how many head. A simple two-head transport only weighs 4,500 pounds, which makes the Ram 1500 an ideal choice.

However, when you move to five head or more, you're looking at over 10,000 pounds, which makes an HD truck a better choice for the job. Another common towing item is a boat. For a trailer and an average-size motorboat, you're looking at around 3,500 pounds. If you have a trailer and a sailboat though, you'll be looking at 8,500 pounds.

Finally, there's the RV setup. A basic camper might only weigh 3,000 pounds, but travel trailers can vary between 6,000 pounds and 12,000 pounds. If you're looking to tow a fifth wheel, you might be in the range of 12,000 to 20,000 pounds.

Adding Upfits

If you're planning upfit a professional vehicle, you'll need to consider the weight of these additions when towing. For example, a rollback or stake bed weighs 1,500 pounds, and a cherry picker weighs between 2,000 and 5,000 pounds. If you intend to tow with an upfit, you'll need to subtract that weight from your truck's towing capacity.

This can help you decide between trucks if you're on the borderline of one model's max towing capacity with what you want to tow. In general, the Ram 3500 is best suited to towing situations in construction and agriculture. For example, a flatbed with two tractors weighs about 30,000 pounds.

EAG Dodge Mt. Pleasant can help you decide which Ram truck is best for your towing needs when you visit us today.