Towing capabilities per the manual - throughout the years??

[dw8494]

Afternoon, new to the forum and trying to get a little more education on this towing subject.
My back ground, I've towed many boats and trailers, and the trucks I've towed with were more than what's needed, but always had true mechanics to make the job easier and issued a truck to me for use.
*This in NO WAY makes me an expert, I just know how to drive.

MY question is....
1 - From 2008 to 2014 (w/ a 6.7 CTD, 68RFE or stick & 3.42 or 3.73 gears) what is the difference in the trucks/frame to make a almost 2K towing difference?
2 - Also, can you add to an older truck (say 2010) to get to the newer trucks (say 2014) towing capacity?

*Info pulled from rambodybuilder.com
2008 - 13800#; 68RFE, 3.73 gears
Manual - 11750#, 3.42 gears
2009 - 13900#; 68RFE, 3.73 gears
Manual - 11800#, 3.42 gears
2010 - 14100#; 68RFE, 3.73 gears
Manual - 12000#, 3.42 gears
2011 - 14150#; 68RFE, 3.73 gears
Manual - 12050#; 3.42 gears
2012 - 13650#; 68RFE, 3.73 gears
Manual - 11500#, 3.42 gears
2013 - 17300#; 68RFE, 3.42 gears
Manual - 16260#, 3.42 gears
2014 - 17150#; 68RFE, 3.42 gears
Manual - 16110#, 3.42 gears

Thanks for your time and info,
Dave

 

[NewBlackDak]

The 3500 got a new frame, front suspension, and bigger axles in ‘13 The 2500 followed in ‘14




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[dw8494]

NewBlackDak - thank you for explaining, been racking my head!

 

[TRCM]

Also, transmisison and braking technology has gotten better......bigger brakes, stronger transmissions (mainly autos)......

No, you can't legally upgrade an older truck to higher towing specs.

 

[22hemi13]

Also, transmisison and braking technology has gotten better......bigger brakes, stronger transmissions (mainly autos)......

No, you can't legally upgrade an older truck to higher towing specs.

Bam! I was towing my stock trailer through hill country. Had on tow/haul mode which was great going up hills. But going down it was a pain cause it kept down shifting and using tranny to slow truck. Which would be great if I had a really heavy load or didn’t have trailer brakes. So I turned it off locked into 5th and was able to coast down hills without still having to apply gas. So yeah these truck have lots of features over older trucks that make them very cable of being towing beasts these days.

 

[dw8494]

Excellent! Thank you truly for the info!
I figured it had to be something, but honestly was thinking the bigger brakes and tranny stuff. Figures those would already be maxed out.

 

[Tim7139]

Between 2013 and 2015 RAM shifted to standardize tow ratings with the adoption of SAE J2807 which had some impact on the numbers.