Towing capacity

[Tulecreeper]

And this is why I bought the truck I did. I wanted max cargo capacity with max towing capacity, without having to worry about running out of either one because I will never haul 2 tons of cargo, nor will I ever come close to needing 15,000 pounds of trailer.

I've had a few ask, "Why didn't you get the diesel?" My answer: "Because although it would have added 4500 pounds of towing capacity - which I will never use - but it would have lowered my cargo capacity by 800 pounds. Why would I limit myself like that?"

 

[greg mayrhofer]

What was the max before 23? I think my 23 is rated at 12,750 (?) with 3.92 rear.

yes that is correct

 

[steveTS]

I have a 2022 2500 Tradesman diesel. No gripes about it other than my tires wore out at 26000! I towed a 5th-wheel rv kept close tabs on air pressures and rotated often! I was disappointed they wore out for a 40k-mile tire from the factory! I went to my dealer and asked what they'll do about it. They asked for a paper trail of virtually every time someone touched the tires! (who keeps records like that!) New Tires had to be bought on the road 1500 miles from home at a cost of $1400! (Michelins). I towed the rv about 13,000 of the 26000 miles.
I just had a complete servicing of the truck too. Changed oil, filters, gas filter, air filters and asked the mechanic to check brake pads. He told me tons of pad left on them so I was surprised the tires wore out but the brakes didn't?

Any thoughts here are appreciated...

 

[MN2500]

I use this website for towing a load capacities:

Ram Towing Capacity | Towing & Payload Capacity Guide

Explore the Ram Trucks towing & payload capacity guide. Find information like Ram 1500 towing capacity, Ram 2500 towing capacity, payload specs & more here.

www.ramtrucks.com

However, the ratings change once in a while for the same VIN. It had the tow rating for my 2021 2500 Laramie anywhere between 18k and 20k.

Right now, it has the load capacity for my 2023 1500 Big Horn, 3.21 rear, at 1,595 lbs and towing at 8,125 lbs. I wonder what it will be in a couple of months.

 

[Seaholic]

It’s sad when a Toyota Tacoma has 2800lbs more towing capacity than a Ram 1500 3.6

 

[Wire4money]

It’s sad when a Toyota Tacoma has 2800lbs more towing capacity than a Ram 1500 3.6

If you have ever towed with a Tacoma, you wouldn’t feel that way.

 

[2003F350]

I have a 2022 2500 Tradesman diesel. No gripes about it other than my tires wore out at 26000! I towed a 5th-wheel rv kept close tabs on air pressures and rotated often! I was disappointed they wore out for a 40k-mile tire from the factory! I went to my dealer and asked what they'll do about it. They asked for a paper trail of virtually every time someone touched the tires! (who keeps records like that!) New Tires had to be bought on the road 1500 miles from home at a cost of $1400! (Michelins). I towed the rv about 13,000 of the 26000 miles.
I just had a complete servicing of the truck too. Changed oil, filters, gas filter, air filters and asked the mechanic to check brake pads. He told me tons of pad left on them so I was surprised the tires wore out but the brakes didn't?

Any thoughts here are appreciated...

I keep records like that. Every time the truck is serviced, whether done by me or by a shop, I have a record of it, what was done, and receipts for what I paid.

That said, depending on how heavy your fifth wheel was and how you drive, it's not really that surprising that the tires wore out quickly. Remember that most people won't see the full tread life of tires unless they're driving around virtually unloaded. That's basically how tire companies advertise their mileage - tested at a particular weight and a gentle driving style. If you're loaded up for a lot of it then you won't get that mileage.

and $1400 for tires isn't really that bad.

 

[nlambert182]

I think it's important to mention as well... when towing capacity is calculated they aren't considering an RV whereas the loaded weights are fairly static. Yes, you can shift some things back and forth to change the hitch weight to a degree, but not by that much. Cabinets, walls, furniture, kitchen appliances, etc.. aren't moving. If you're towing a flat bed trailer where you can control the weight by moving the equipment forward or back you can get a little closer to your tow rating by moving heavier objects slightly further back on the trailer to reduce the weight on the axle, etc...

However, even then I think some take that to the extreme.

 

[ramffml]

It’s sad when a Toyota Tacoma has 2800lbs more towing capacity than a Ram 1500 3.6

The GCWR numbers depends on the ram v6 in question, as you can equip one that tows about 700 pounds less than a ram with a hemi.

Those are "the numbers". But ignore them, you don't really want to tow more than 5000 pounds with any N/A v6.

 

[Seaholic]

If you have ever towed with a Tacoma, you wouldn’t feel that way.

Not sure I follow you. I have towed a small1500 lb boat and trailer with a 4 cylinder Tacoma. I can’t imagine towing a 6800lb rig with a 6 cylinder Tacoma, at least any substantial distance.

 

[Seaholic]

The GCWR numbers depends on the ram v6 in question, as you can equip one that tows about 700 pounds less than a ram with a hemi.

Those are "the numbers". But ignore them, you don't really want to tow more than 5000 pounds with any N/A v6.

The Ram 3.6 with the 3.21 gears is rated for only 4000lbs. 7,000 lbs with the 3.55 gears.

 

[ramffml]

The Ram 3.6 with the 3.21 gears is rated for only 4000lbs. 7,000 lbs with the 3.55 gears.

It's 7370 for a 4x4 3.55 crew cab 5'7" bed (ie "my truck" which has a hemi with 3.21 and is rated at 8240).

v6 2wd with 3.55 and 6'4" bed is rated at 7730.

All 2019 5th gen trucks.

Edit: also keep in mind that the ram is a heavier truck, wider, taller, amazing brakes, sharp/precise turning, 8 gears instead of 5 or 6 on the taco, on and on it goes. In other words, the GCWR rating only gets you so far. Does the v6 have a similar/less rating to the tacoma? Perhaps, depending on trim and rear axle, but I guarantee you that regardless of the load you're pulling the ram will do it better all around. You'll prefer towing with the v6 ram if you had a choice and all else (like cost) are removed or equalized.

That doesn't even compare other features like ride and comfort which would make me choose the v6 ram every time anyway, the tacoma is next door to scraping your butt on the road and is terrible for long trips.

 

[Seaholic]

It's 7370 for a 4x4 3.55 crew cab 5'7" bed (ie "my truck" which has a hemi with 3.21 and is rated at 8240).

v6 2wd with 3.55 and 6'4" bed is rated at 7730.

All 2019 5th gen trucks.

Edit: also keep in mind that the ram is a heavier truck, wider, taller, amazing brakes, sharp/precise turning, 8 gears instead of 5 or 6 on the taco, on and on it goes. In other words, the GCWR rating only gets you so far. Does the v6 have a similar/less rating to the tacoma? Perhaps, depending on trim and rear axle, but I guarantee you that regardless of the load you're pulling the ram will do it better all around. You'll prefer towing with the v6 ram if you had a choice and all else (like cost) are removed or equalized.

That doesn't even compare other features like ride and comfort which would make me choose the v6 ram every time anyway, the tacoma is next door to scraping your butt on the road and is terrible for long trips.

I agree 100%! My 4 cylinder Tacoma didn’t get that much better gas mileage than my Ram either. It rode like a rail, cross winds in the rain I had white knuckles driving it. Looks like they increased the towing capacity by 730lbs from the 2016 Ram. Must be the eco boost. That’s a big difference in towing with just a gear change between the 2 Rams.

 

[Wire4money]

Not sure I follow you. I have towed a small1500 lb boat and trailer with a 4 cylinder Tacoma. I can’t imagine towing a 6800lb rig with a 6 cylinder Tacoma, at least any substantial distance.

Exactly. I did a 4K lb trailer on a 22 Tacoma with a 6600 lb trailer rating and it was one of the most miserable experiences.

 

[Seaholic]

Exactly. I did a 4K lb trailer on a 22 Tacoma with a 6600 lb trailer rating and it was one of the most miserable experiences.

That makes more sense for sure. I have to tow a 5700lb boat down to the keys on I-95 and the turnpike. That will be 8-10hr trip, I guess I’ll be in the right hand lane all the way down. 50 - 55 you don’t notice the boat behind you but at 60-65 you can tell.

 

[Sol-Invictus]

A lot of people are missing the mark on th 12,750 tow capacity. That is for the 2wd Tradesman with the 6' 4" bed 3.92 and 5.7 etorque.

That is why we got the Tradesman quad cab 4x4 with 5.7 6x4" 3.92 and etorque which has towing capacity 11, 470. Payload is 1812lbs.

Me and the wife weigh about 270lbs which leaves us over 1500lbs for tongue wt and cargo. 8k is easy and if the tongue weight is 12% we could do 10k lbs.

However most people miss sight of the fact the a class 4 hitch is 10k max. So we choose our truck to maximize any realistic hauling or towing scenario for us with room to spare.

 

[Tulecreeper]

A lot of people are missing the mark on th 12,750 tow capacity. That is for the 2wd Tradesman with the 6' 4" bed 3.92 and 5.7 etorque.

That is why we got the Tradesman quad cab 4x4 with 5.7 6x4" 3.92 and etorque which has towing capacity 11, 470. Payload is 1812lbs.

Me and the wife weigh about 270lbs which leaves us over 1500lbs for tongue wt and cargo. 8k is easy and if the tongue weight is 12% we could do 10k lbs.

However most people miss sight of the fact the a class 4 hitch is 10k max. So we choose our truck to maximize any realistic hauling or towing scenario for us with room to spare.

You have to compare both.