Payload and Towing, Information and Where to Find It

[OC455]

Maybe this can become a sticky, not going to give any opinions or conjecture. Just a start where to look stuff up to find cargo & towing information.


This is the location of the cargo capacity sticker on the driver's side door jamb.


This is what it looks like and has the cargo capacity listed in Kg and Lbs.


This sticker lists the information for your truck, VIN, axle ratings and Gross Vehicle Weight. This is on the driver's door.



Curb/base weight can be figured out by subtracting the cargo/payload from the Gross Vehicle Weight.
Using the info in the two images, 14000 - 6292 = 7708 gives you the curb/base weight.

To find out what equipment you have for your truck, you can check here:

FCA RAM

fcacommunity.force.com

This will also give you the gear ratio for your truck.

You can find your towing capacity by looking here:

Ram Towing | Find the Best Truck for Your Towing Needs

Find everything you need to know about Ram towing capacity, payload & more here. Discover the best Ram truck or van that fits your towing needs today.

www.ramtrucks.com

Enter your VIN and see what is listed. It only goes back 5 years I believe.

Another way of checking your tow rating, is by looking up your truck on the Ram Trailer Towing charts. You have to know your gear ratio. Using the chart, the example has a 3.73 gear ratio. Mega cab dually, 6.4L Hemi, 3.73 gear ratio, 4x4, has a Gross Combined Weight Rating of 21500 lbs. Subtract the curb/base weight from the Gross Combined Weight Rating to find the tow rating.
21500 - 7708 = 13792.

2019 Trailer Towing Charts:

RAM 1500 Classic:

https://www.ramtruck.ca/documents/ramtruck/specifications/2019-ramtruck-1500ds-specifications-en.pdf

RAM 1500 DT: https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP/FqLY5r/est8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBAvoEbjA+c5q

RAM 2500: https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/d...ow_Excel_2019_DJ_OFFICIAL_INTERNAL_2-6-19.pdf

RAM 3500: https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/d...w_Excel_2019_D2_OFFICIAL_INTERNAL_2-06-18.pdf

RAM 3500 4500 5500 Chassis Cab: https://www.ramtruck.ca/en_dir/pdf/Ram_ChassisCab_TowingPayload_Chart_EN.pdf


2020 Trailer Towing Charts:

RAM 1500 Classic:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/dam/fca-brands/na/ramtrucks/en_us/towing/Ram_LD_DS_Trailer_Tow_Weight_Chart_MY20.pdf

RAM 1500 DT:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/dam/fca-brands/na/ramtrucks/en_us/towing/Ram_LD_DT_Trailer_Tow_Weight_Chart_MY20.pdf

RAM 2500: https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/d..._HD_2500_DJ_Trailer_Tow_Weight_Chart_MY20.pdf

RAM 3500:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/dam/fca-brands/na/ramtrucks/en_us/towing/Ram_HD_3500_D2_Trailer_Tow_Weight_Chart_MY20.pdf

RAM 3500 Chassis Cab: https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/d...g/Ram_CC_Trailer_Tow_Weight_Chart_MY20_R1.pdf

RAM 4500:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/dam/fca-brands/na/ramtrucks/en_us/towing/Ram_CC_Trailer_Tow_Weight_Chart_MY20_R1.pdf

RAM 5500: https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/d...g/Ram_CC_Trailer_Tow_Weight_Chart_MY20_R1.pdf

2021 Trailer Towing Charts:

RAM 1500 Classic:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/dam/fca-brands/na/ramtrucks/en_us/towing/Ram_LD_DS-Trailer-Tow-Weight-Chart_MY21.pdf

RAM 1500 DT: https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/d...am_LD_DT_Trailer-Tow-Weight-Chart_MY21_R1.pdf

RAM 2500:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/dam/fca-brands/na/ramtrucks/en_us/towing/Ram_HD-2500-DJ_Trailer-Tow-Weight-Chart_MY21.pdf

RAM 3500:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/dam/fca-brands/na/ramtrucks/en_us/towing/Ram_HD-3500-D2_Trailer-Tow-Weight-Chart_MY21.pdf

RAM 3500 Chassis Cab:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/dam/fca-brands/na/ramtrucks/en_us/towing/Ram_CC_Trailer_Tow_Weight_Chart_MY21.pdf

RAM 4500:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/dam/fca-brands/na/ramtrucks/en_us/towing/Ram_CC_Trailer_Tow_Weight_Chart_MY21.pdf

RAM 5500: https://www.ramtrucks.com/content/d...wing/Ram_CC_Trailer_Tow_Weight_Chart_MY21.pdf

2022 Trailer Towing Charts:

Still searching for the ramtrucks.com trailer towing charts for 2022.

 

[MADDOG]

Thread Sticky Added.

 

[tron67j]

Thanks for doing this. Now. Will people go here first?

Also to consider is what aftermarket options one has added to their trucks. The weight of aftermarket items like running boards, bedliner, tonneau cover, back rack, front bumper guard, etc. are subtracted from your payload capacity. Best thing to always do when trying to figure out what you can tow is load your vehicle up with everything you would normally have in it, including people and gear plus your hitch system. Then go weigh it and subtract that from your GVW for available payload capacity.

 

[MADDOG]

Great info. People have to remember to weigh their loaded truck, compare that with their GVWR and be mindful of the difference which is your actual payload.

Having only 1500 pounds payload left and expecting to add 2500 pounds in fifth wheel pin weight just won't work out well.

 

[OC455]

Thanks for doing this. Now. Will people go here first?

Also to consider is what aftermarket options one has added to their trucks. The weight of aftermarket items like running boards, bedliner, tonneau cover, back rack, front bumper guard, etc. are subtracted from your payload capacity. Best thing to always do when trying to figure out what you can tow is load your vehicle up with everything you would normally have in it, including people and gear plus your hitch system. Then go weigh it and subtract that from your GVW for available payload capacity.

All points you make are excellent....this is more for folks that are either new or do not know how to or where to get the information they need as the truck rolls off the lot. I'll try to keep this updated the best I can gents.

 

[boardheadbri]

Where does someone go to get their vehicle weighed?

 

[crash68]

Where does someone go to get their vehicle weighed?

Google: CAT scale near me
or use this link: https://catscale.com/cat-scale-locator/

 

[18CrewDually]

Where does someone go to get their vehicle weighed?

An auto junkyard, Concrete recycling yard, sand pit, all usually have a scale and if you ask they don't care if you weigh your truck , just don't interfere with operations. Not that it matters, most will tell you it is not a certified weigh like a CAT scale that you pay for.

 

[Jim Carelas]

OC455 - Thanks, I Bookmarked this for future use if I should ever need.

 

[tron67j]

I keep seeing questions about towing where there is sag, or the trailer sways, or such. Often these posts are a lead in to questions such as "Should I get air bags" or " Will helper springs work".

Under no circumstances can anyone in this forum provide suggestions that could provide good for thought to help unless you first weigh your fully loaded truck. Then the fully assembled rig with weights of entirety, front truck axle only, rear axle only, trailer tongue weight, trailer axle weight, and full trailer not attached to truck. If your rig is overweight the answer is always going start with the cheap answer; lighten it all. Then you move into costly 2 options of get a smaller trailer or a bigger truck. There is no other option.

If within weights and you have sag then either a WDH and/or repair suspension with stock parts are generally the only answers with one additional consideration, which is distribution of weight in trailer is off BUT that does not mean just move stuff to the back but rather balance it better.

If steering or braking is off and axle weights are good, you need suspension work or maybe different tires.

There is obviously more to this all. The point is to not ask for agreement that you should buy helper springs, etc. unless you bring numbers to your post. There are a lot of knowledgeable people here but in the end our advice is not nearly as valid as a trusted mechanic or hitch specialist who actually will investigate and diagnose the exact problem and recommend corrective action.

Please, get your actual (not theoretical) weights first! Oh. And provide exact numbers from door jamb and from your VIN lookup.

 

[OC455]

And provide exact numbers from door jamb and from your VIN lookup.

This thread was just for that purpose. No conjecture or opinion.

 

[toddmakesamove]

Did RAM get rid of look up towing capabilities by VIN#? I cannot seem to find it anymore.

 

[gofishn]

no one can fidn it. nto sre if it sis gone for good or site updates.

 

[crash68]

Did RAM get rid of look up towing capabilities by VIN#?

Google: SAE J2807 for the year and truck your looking for. You'll find the PDF listing all the truck configurations with ratings per config.

 

[toddmakesamove]

@crash68 A solid way to look it up.

I'm new to most/almost all of this, so I wanna say what my mistake was that I caught about ratings. I assumed, that I could load my truck up to 11,400lbs, and max-tow 16,780lbs. Then, I kept seeing my truck's GCVWR as 21,500, but this was for normal gears. My truck's GCVWR is 24,200 and, if I take away 16,780lbs, I now can only have 480lbs of payload. However, I got options that weigh an extra 300lbs. I have no plans for max-tow, but at least I know I could, because I weigh 185 +/-3.

My concern was that my ratings changed as I've heard/read has happened to 2500's and other brands. When I couldn't find "look up ratings by VIN#" on RAM's site - I started to really question my ratings. Currently, my 3500 hasn't changed any weight capacities from its beginning. My concern became driving the truck very close to the GCVWR. 10,500 in truck weight with gear & occupants and 10,500 for trailer & cargo - I feel, it's safe to say, it'd be about 200lbs more than I thought - so that's 21,200 of the 21,500 I would've been allowed.

This site has helped me a lot with my journey. Being able to use and understand the GCVWR, PL, Max-Tow, CW, and their correlation to each other happened here. Getting great advice on what model I needed also came from here.

Thanks y'all. Enjoy the day.

 

[OC455]

2022 RAM 1500 Classic:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP%2FFqLY5r%2Fest8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBCPJWcOaypPZ%0A

2022 RAM 1500 DT:

https://stellantis-wn2022-assetlib.s3.amazonaws.com/resources/2022_RAM_1500_Towing.pdf

2022 RAM 2500:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP%2FFqLY5r%2Fest8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBNtoQ3DkYxIU%0A

2022 RAM 2500:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP%2FFqLY5r%2Fest8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBImq5dh9vs%2FW%0A

2022 RAM 3500:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP%2FFqLY5r%2Fest8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBFy6Od5Hdu%2FD%0A

2022 RAM 3500:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP%2FFqLY5r%2Fest8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBKNBZlKcaqQ8%0A

2022 RAM 4500:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP%2FFqLY5r%2Fest8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBP6%2FOhUF29Fs%0A

2022 RAM 5500:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP%2FFqLY5r%2Fest8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBD1D%2BFaVFSPY%0A

 

[OC455]

2023 RAM 1500 DT:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP%2FFqLY5r%2Fest8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBJGNeBkn%2FD3K%0A

2023 RAM 1500 CLASSIC:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP%2FFqLY5r%2Fest8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBCPJWcOaypPZ%0A

2023 RAM 2500:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP%2FFqLY5r%2Fest8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBK3Z6SvN9a1h%0A

2023 RAM 3500:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP%2FFqLY5r%2Fest8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBOluWOlfKj9Q%0A

2023 RAM 4500:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP%2FFqLY5r%2Fest8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBOLZFUVT5%2Bbe%0A

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP%2FFqLY5r%2Fest8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBGqjnXVaRECD%0A

2023 RAM 5500:

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP%2FFqLY5r%2Fest8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBBp%2BF4FpUcBq%0A

https://www.ramtrucks.com/BodyBuilder/service/Image?imageId=MtQrP%2FFqLY5r%2Fest8MtGjGgHzAHGUTU0WB3rWuqSY7YmQ2vEhuBWBMPI7yF94mn2%0A

 

[timelinex]

Did Ram move the site that will tell you tow capacity by VIN? The link no longer goes there.

 

[18CrewDually]

Did Ram move the site that will tell you tow capacity by VIN? The link no longer goes there.

It was conflicting and went through changes then finally disappeared the last I heard.
Rear axle weight rating, & GVWR minus the truck's actual curb weight to give you available payload, are a great start to see what you can tow. Most cases, especially 5th wheel/ gooseneck towing, you will run out of payload before hitting max GCVWR anyways.
Your profile says "2020 6.7 Cummins"? That leaves alot of possibilities from 10.5k to 35k #s depending on 2500 or 3500, DRW or SRW, ect.
What truck are you inquiring about?

 

[timelinex]

It was conflicting and went through changes then finally disappeared the last I heard.
Rear axle weight rating, & GVWR minus the truck's actual curb weight to give you available payload, are a great start to see what you can tow. Most cases, especially 5th wheel/ gooseneck towing, you will run out of payload before hitting max GCVWR anyways.
Your profile says "2020 6.7 Cummins"? That leaves alot of possibilities from 10.5k to 35k #s depending on 2500 or 3500, DRW or SRW, ect.
What truck are you inquiring about?

I actually just replaced it with a 2022 ram 3500 drw limited. Paylpad on the sticker is almost exactly 5k. A little lower than expected, but im guessing its the limited options.

I know for my purposes I'll run out of payload before running out of Tow capacity, but I was looking for the website just out of curiosity to see what the capacity officially is.