The word has been out for years here at Landmark Dodge: the Ram 1500’s top trim levels offer the most luxury in its class. The Cars.com staff wrote a blog this past week taking a close look at its towing capacity, which ranges from 6,290 to 12,570 pounds.
Maximum capacity of 12’4, 750 pounds is achieved in the Tradesman Quad Cab extended cab. This is the fitting configuration with the 6’ 4” bed, two-wheel drive, and the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 boasting the eTorque mild-hybrid feature. You can finalize things neatly with the Max Tow Package, which includes 18 x 18-inch wheels, a 3.92:1 axle ratio, a full-size spare tire, and the Trailer-Tow Group. The Trailer-Tow Group adds a Class IV receiver hitch, trailer tow mirrors, and trailer brake controller.
The entry-point of the 6,290-lb tow rating is attained with the Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, and Laramie Longhorn/Limited trims, which are all crew-cab models. You have the choice of five different engines for Ram’s 2021 lineup, and the Stellantis-sourced 850RE with the 3.6-liter V6 or ZF 8HP75 with EcoDiesel for transmission options. From busy contractors to active families, the Ram’s exceptional ability to pull is one of its finest features.
The highest tow rating in the V6 category is 7,740 pounds in the 2WD Quad Cab with the 6-foot 4-inch bed, available in either the Big Horn/Lone Star or Tradesman trim levels. Both options are equipped with the 3.55 axle ratio, with the second-highest tow rating coming in at 6,640 pounds and available in the 2WD Laramie Quad Cab. The Crew Cab With 5-Foot 7-inch bed sees the sizable jump to an 11,500-pound tow rating, which is the same in the Crew Cab with 6-Foot 4-Inch Bed.
People often ask us about 4-wheel-drive, which clocks in at an 11,430-pound tow rating courtesy of the Quad Cab and 6-foot 4-inch bed in the Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star and Laramie trims equipped with the 3.92 axle ratio and 5.7-liter Hemi without eTorque. The next highest capacity in the 4WD Ram 1500 is the Rebel with Quad Cab, 6-foot 4 bed, and non-eTorque V8 at 11,360 pounds with the 3.92 axle ratio. Topping out the towing capacity category for the 4WD club are the eTorque V8 at 13,330 pounds in the Quad Cab, 6-Foot 4 bed configuration and 3.92 axle ratio of the Tradesman, Big Horn/Lone Star, and Laramie.
The Ram TRX has been hailed in many circles for the ridiculous amount of power it gets from a 702-horsepower supercharged 6.2-liter V8, boasting the most powerful engine in the history of factory trucks. Even with what is undoubtedly the most amazing off-road performance ability in existence, it still has a towing capacity of 8,100 pounds. Built to go fast off-road and still be capable on the street, the 2021 Ram 1500 TRX enjoys its existence as one of the most extreme vehicles on the planet!
