2026 Ram 2500 towing capacity
The 2026 Ram 2500 tows 10,530 lbs to 20,000 lbs depending on how it's built. The top number needs the 6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel, Crew Cab 8' Bed SRW, 4x2.
✓ From 2026 Ram Heavy Duty Payload & Towing Weight Capacities, p. 1 ↗Checked 2026-09-2820262025202420212020
- 20,000
- Max towing, lbs
- 10,530
- Lowest rating, lbs
- 43
- Configurations
- 2,000
- Max tongue, lbs
Your exact truck
Which 2500 is yours?
Engine?
Not sure? The label on your driver's door jamb and your window sticker list these.
So far
10,530 lbs – 20,000 lbs
43 configurations still match. Answer to narrow it down.
Check your trailer →Try it
Will it pull your trailer?
Use the trailer's GVWR (on its VIN sticker) if you don't know what it weighs loaded — the dry weight leaves out water, propane and gear.
Only 42 of 43 configurations
It takes the 6.4L HEMI V8 or 6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel — pick your configuration below to be sure.
▲ top rating 20,000 lbs
- Tongue weight ≈ 1,100 lbs — 10% of the loaded trailer, the figure Ford's towing guide uses (no more than 200 lbs up to 2,000 lbs). It counts against your payload, together with passengers and cargo.
- ✓ up to 90% of the rating · ! 90–100% (little room for cargo, hills, wind — common advice, not a Ram rule) · ✕ over the rating.
Read this before you buy
Why the numbers differ
Engine choice moves the top rating from 17,740 lbs (6.4L HEMI V8) to 20,000 lbs (6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel).
Same 6.4L HEMI V8 Regular Cab 8' Bed SRW 4x2: the 4.10 axle ratio instead of 3.73 adds 2,200 lbs. p. 1 ↗
The body style counts too: Crew Cab 6'4" Bed SRW is rated 4,190 lbs higher than Mega Cab 6'4" Bed SRW with everything else the same (6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel · 3.42 axle · Crew Cab 6'4" Bed SRW · 4x4 · ZF Powerline 8-Speed Automatic). p. 1 ↗
The drivetrain counts too: 4x2 is rated 2,900 lbs higher than 4x4 with everything else the same (6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel · 3.42 axle · Crew Cab 8' Bed SRW · 4x2 · ZF Powerline 8-Speed Automatic). p. 1 ↗
Same top rating as the 2025 model (20,000 lbs).
In real life
What 20,000 lbs means in trailers
Ford's towing guide sorts trailers into four weight classes; the classes describe the trailer, so they apply to any tow vehicle. With the right configuration the 2500 reaches:
- Class I✓ Yes
up to 2,000 lbs
Small folding camping trailers and trailers for small boats, motorcycles and snowmobiles.
- Class II✓ Yes
2,001–3,500 lbs
Large folding camping trailers, single-axle, small- to medium-length (up to 18-ft.) trailers.
- Class III✓ Yes
3,501–5,000 lbs
Dual-axle or large single-axle travel trailers.
- Class IVUp to 20,000
over 5,000 lbs
Largest travel and 5th-wheel trailers made for recreation.
Real trailers
Can the 2500 pull these?
Similar boat package, not this model.Photo: Airman Nicole Sikorski, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
G3 Boats · boat package · 23 ft
Sportsman 1710 (boat + motor + trailer package)
1,865 lbs boat + motor + trailer, before fuel and gear
✓ Any configuration
Similar utility, not this model.Photo: Xaver X. Dreißig, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Carry-On Trailer · utility · 11.54 ft
5' x 8' GW2K Series 5X8GW2K (open utility, wood floor, gate)
2,000 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
nuCamp · teardrop · 15.5 ft
TAB 320 (Boondock)
2,069 lbs dry weight only — loaded will be more
✓ Any configuration
Similar cargo, not this model.Photo: DiamondBack Covers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr
Carry-On Trailer · cargo · 12 ft
5' x 8' CG3K Series 5X8CG (enclosed cargo, single rear door)
2,990 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Olgierd Rudak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Airstream · travel trailer · 20.17 ft
Basecamp 20X
4,300 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Anshamblen15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jayco · travel trailer · 20.17 ft
Jay Feather Air 16RB
4,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Olgierd Rudak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Airstream · travel trailer · 20.58 ft
Bambi 20FB
5,000 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Anshamblen15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jayco · travel trailer · 29.42 ft
Jay Flight SLX 260BH
6,500 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: DanTD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grand Design · travel trailer · 26.08 ft
Imagine XLS 22MLE
6,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
Similar cargo, not this model.Photo: DiamondBack Covers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr
Carry-On Trailer · cargo · 16 ft
6' x 12' CG7K Series 6X12CGR7K (enclosed cargo, tandem axle, ramp door)
7,000 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
Similar car hauler, not this model.Photo: Strubbl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Big Tex Trailers · car hauler
70CH-18 Tandem Axle Car Hauler (wood deck, 18' bed)
7,000 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Olgierd Rudak, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Airstream · travel trailer · 31.17 ft
Flying Cloud 30FB Bunk
8,800 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✓ Any configuration
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: DanTD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grand Design · travel trailer · 35.42 ft
Reflection 317RSTS
10,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
! 42 of 43 configurations
Needs the 6.4L HEMI V8 or 6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel.
Similar travel trailer, not this model.Photo: Anshamblen15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jayco · travel trailer · 35.5 ft
Eagle Travel Trailer 312BHOK
11,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
! 42 of 43 configurations
Needs the 6.4L HEMI V8 or 6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel.
Similar fifth wheel, not this model.Photo: Cullen328, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Grand Design · fifth wheel · 29.83 ft
Reflection 150-Series 260RD
9,995 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ No 5th-wheel rating
Similar fifth wheel, not this model.Photo: Anshamblen15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jayco · fifth wheel · 28.17 ft
Eagle Fifth Wheel 28RLT
11,400 lbs GVWR (max loaded)
✕ No 5th-wheel rating
Weights are what each trailer maker publishes (retrieved 2026-09-27). We compare the trailer's GVWR — the most it may weigh loaded — with each 2500 configuration's rating, and never a dry weight when a GVWR exists.
Compare
Towing capacity by engine
15 configurations
28 configurations
Orange = the range across that engine's configurations. Bars start at zero.
Fine print, made plain
What the rating assumes
Over 20,000 lbs
For trailers over 20,000 lbs – a 5th-wheel or gooseneck hitch is required.
2026 Ram Heavy Duty Payload & Towing Weight Capacities, p. 1 ↗
Equipment
A Class V receiver hitch is limited to 2,000 lb of tongue weight; the recommended tongue weight for a conventional hitch is 10 percent of the trailer weight.
2026 Ram Heavy Duty Payload & Towing Weight Capacities, p. 1 ↗
Tongue weight limit
Class V receiver hitch
2,000 lbs tongue
2026 Ram Heavy Duty Payload & Towing Weight Capacities, p. 1 ↗
Every rating assumes a 150-lb driver and passenger and no other cargo. Add people, gear or accessories and the trailer you can tow goes down by the same amount.
New to towing?
The five weights, in one picture
- Loaded trailer weight — must stay under the towing rating
- The rating “It assumes a towing vehicle with any mandatory options, no cargo, tongue load of 10% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15% (5th-wheel trailer), and driver and passenger (150 lbs. each).” Weight of additional options, passengers, cargo and hitch must be deducted from this weight. p. 7 ↗
- Tongue weight — the part of the trailer pressing on the hitch
- “For trailers up to 2,000 lbs., tongue load not to exceed 200 lbs. For conventional trailers over 2,000 lbs., tongue load is 10% of loaded trailer weight. For 5th-wheel trailers, king pin weight is 15% of loaded trailer weight.” p. 7 ↗
- Payload — people and cargo the truck can carry
- “Payload is the combined maximum allowable weight of cargo and passengers that the vehicle is designed to carry. It is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating minus the Base Curb Weight.” And: “When towing, trailer tongue load or king pin weight is also part of the Cargo Weight.” p. 6 ↗
- GVWR and GCWR — the two ceilings
- “Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum allowable weight of the fully-loaded vehicle (including passengers and cargo).” “Gross Vehicle Weight PLUS Loaded Trailer Weight EQUALS Gross Combination Weight (GCW) GCW must not exceed GCWR.” Your GVWR is on the label on the driver's door jamb. p. 6 ↗
From the maker's table
All 43 configurations
| Engine | Axle | Body | Trim | Drive | Trans. | Max trailer | GCWR | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel | 3.42 | Crew Cab 8' Bed SRW | — | 4x2 | ZF Powerline 8-Speed Automatic | 20,000135 | 28,010 | p. 1 ↗ |
| 6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel | 3.42 | Crew Cab 8' Bed SRW | — | 4x2 | ZF Powerline 8-Speed Automatic | 19,9802 | 28,010 | p. 1 ↗ |
| 6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel | 3.42 | Crew Cab 6'4" Bed SRW | — | 4x2 | ZF Powerline 8-Speed Automatic | 19,96011 | 27,870 | p. 1 ↗ |
| 6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel | 3.42 | Regular Cab 8' Bed SRW | — | 4x4 | ZF Powerline 8-Speed Automatic | 19,930105 | 27,820 | p. 1 ↗ |
| 6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel | 3.42 | Regular Cab 8' Bed SRW | — | 4x4 | ZF Powerline 8-Speed Automatic | 19,9009 | 27,820 | p. 1 ↗ |
| 6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel | 3.42 | Crew Cab 6'4" Bed SRW | — | 4x4 | ZF Powerline 8-Speed Automatic | 19,89075 | 28,110 | p. 1 ↗ |
| 6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel | 3.42 | Crew Cab 6'4" Bed SRW | — | 4x4 | ZF Powerline 8-Speed Automatic | 19,89014 | 28,110 | p. 1 ↗ |
| 6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel | 3.42 | Crew Cab 6'4" Bed SRW | — | 4x4 | ZF Powerline 8-Speed Automatic | 19,770125 | 28,110 | p. 1 ↗ |
| 6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel | 3.42 | Crew Cab 6'4" Bed SRW | — | 4x4 | ZF Powerline 8-Speed Automatic | 18,8202 | 28,110 | p. 1 ↗ |
| 6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel | 3.42 | Crew Cab 8' Bed SRW | — | 4x4 | ZF Powerline 8-Speed Automatic | 18,2308 | 26,580 | p. 1 ↗ |
| 6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel | 3.42 | Crew Cab 8' Bed SRW | — | 4x4 | ZF Powerline 8-Speed Automatic | 18,23075 | 26,580 | p. 1 ↗ |
| 6.4L HEMI V8 | 4.10 | Regular Cab 8' Bed SRW | — | 4x2 | 8HP75-LCV | 17,7402 | 24,250 | p. 1 ↗ |
- GVWR (lb): 8,565
- GVWR (lb): 9,900
- GVWR (lb): 10,000
- GVWR (lb): 11,040*/11,040
- * Applies to vehicles produced with sales code Z2K/Z7G/Z3Y
- GVWR (lb): 11,040
- GVWR (lb): 11,040*
- GVWR (lb): 10,000/10,190
- GVWR (lb): 9,900/10,000/10,190
- GVWR (lb): 11,040*9,900/
- GVWR (lb): 10,000/10,190/
- GVWR (lb): 11,040*10,000
- GVWR (lb): 10,000/10,190/11,040*
- GVWR (lb): 10,190
Weights in lbs. “Not listed” means the maker printed no GCWR for that configuration — we don't estimate one.
More Ram towing capacities
Questions people ask
What is the towing capacity of the 2026 Ram 2500?
From 10,530 lbs to 20,000 lbs, depending on engine, axle ratio, body and drive. The 20,000 lbs top rating is for the 6.7L Cummins I6 High-Output Turbo Diesel · 3.42 axle · Crew Cab 8' Bed SRW · 4x2 · ZF Powerline 8-Speed Automatic (GVWR (lb): 10,000/10,190/11,040* * Applies to vehicles produced with sales code Z2K/Z7G/Z3Y).
Does the 2026 Ram 2500 need a tow package?
For trailers over 20,000 lbs – a 5th-wheel or gooseneck hitch is required. A Class V receiver hitch is limited to 2,000 lb of tongue weight; the recommended tongue weight for a conventional hitch is 10 percent of the trailer weight.
How much tongue weight can the 2026 Ram 2500 handle?
Class V receiver hitch: 2,000 lbs.
Citing these numbers?
Can Tow That. "2026 Ram 2500 Towing Capacity." From 2026 Ram Heavy Duty Payload & Towing Weight Capacities, PDF modified 2025-10-22. https://cantowthat.com/ram/2500
Source: 2026 Ram Heavy Duty Payload & Towing Weight Capacities (FCA US LLC (Ram), PDF modified 2025-10-22; retrieved 2026-09-28). Page links open the PDF at the page each number is printed on.
43 ratings checked against the PDFHow we verify