Hanover Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram
664 10th St, Hanover, ON, N4N 1R9
519 364-3570
2026 Ram Towing Capacity Guide | Ram 1500, 2500 & 3500 | Hanover Chrysler
Hanover Chrysler Ram Towing Centre

Find the Right 2026 Ram Truck for What You Tow

Compare Ram 1500, Ram 2500 and Ram 3500 capability, understand the numbers that matter and let our team match your trailer, equipment or RV to the right truck configuration.

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11,610 lb Ram 1500 max towing
20,000 lb Ram 2500 max towing
36,610 lb Ram 3500 max towing
2026 Ram Truck Comparison

Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500 vs. Ram 3500

The best truck is not automatically the one with the largest published number. Your trailer weight, tongue or pin weight, passengers, cargo, bed length, cab, drivetrain and axle ratio all affect the correct choice.

1500

Everyday comfort with serious recreational and light-duty work capability.

11,610 lb Max towing
2,360 lb Max payload
  • Travel trailers, boats, utility trailers and recreational towing
  • Available 3.0L Hurricane engines and available 5.7L HEMI V8
  • Available trailer technology, air suspension and large digital displays
  • Best fit when daily comfort matters as much as towing
Shop Ram 1500
2500

Heavy-duty strength for larger RVs, equipment trailers and demanding work.

20,000 lb Max towing
4,580 lb Max payload
  • Large travel trailers, fifth-wheels, livestock and equipment trailers
  • Available 6.7L Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel
  • Available fifth-wheel and gooseneck tow prep group
  • Strong choice when a 1500 does not provide enough payload margin
Shop Ram 2500
3500

Maximum Ram pickup capability for the heaviest trailers and commercial demands.

36,610 lb Max towing
7,590 lb Max payload
  • Heavy fifth-wheels, goosenecks and commercial equipment
  • Available dual-rear-wheel configurations
  • 6.7L Cummins High-Output Turbo Diesel with 1,075 lb-ft of torque
  • Best fit when payload and pin-weight capacity are critical
Shop Ram 3500
Version 6 Towing Calculator

Enter Your Trailer Weight and Payload Needs

This calculator estimates a sensible Ram starting point using loaded trailer weight, tongue or pin weight, passengers and cargo. It is not a substitute for verifying the exact truck's VIN-specific ratings.

Estimated Match

Enter your trailer information

Your likely Ram model range and estimated payload demand will appear here.

Conventional trailers often place roughly 10% of loaded trailer weight on the hitch. Fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers may place substantially more weight in the bed.
Verify With a Ram Specialist
2026 Ram Engine Guide

Hurricane, HEMI, Pentastar or Cummins?

The right engine depends on how often you tow, how heavy the trailer is, how much payload you need and whether the truck will spend most of its time working or commuting.

3.6L Pentastar V6 with eTorque 305 hp / 269 lb-ft

A practical Ram 1500 choice for lighter trailers, daily driving and buyers focused on value and efficiency.

3.0L Hurricane Standard Output 420 hp / 469 lb-ft

A strong all-around Ram 1500 engine with up to 11,610 lb of available towing in the right configuration.

6.4L HEMI V8 405 hp / 429 lb-ft

A heavy-duty gas option for buyers who need serious capability without necessarily choosing diesel.

6.7L Cummins High-Output Diesel 430 hp / 1,075 lb-ft

The heavy-towing choice for frequent work, large fifth-wheels, goosenecks and the highest Ram HD ratings.

Payload can sometimes favour a gas truck because diesel powertrains add weight. Maximum towing can favour diesel. The best choice depends on the exact trailer and truck configuration.
Interactive Starting Point

What Are You Planning to Tow?

Select the option closest to your needs. This tool is a starting point only; the exact truck must be verified using the trailer's loaded weight, tongue or pin weight and the specific truck's door-jamb payload label.

Choose your towing situation

Your Suggested Starting Point

Choose a towing situation

Your recommended Ram model range and the key specification to verify will appear here.

Before buying, bring us: Trailer year, make and model; loaded or gross trailer weight; tongue or pin weight; hitch type; passengers and cargo you expect to carry.
Ask a Ram Specialist View Ram Inventory
Ram Towing by Trailer Type

Start With the Trailer, Then Choose the Truck

Travel Trailers and RVs

Focus on loaded trailer weight, tongue weight, family passengers, camping gear and payload margin. Many buyers compare Ram 1500 and Ram 2500 here.

Fifth-Wheels and Goosenecks

Pin weight can consume payload quickly. Larger trailers often point toward a Ram 3500 and may require dual rear wheels.

Equipment and Dump Trailers

Variable cargo makes loaded weight critical. Ram 2500 and 3500 configurations are common starting points for contractors and farms.

Horse and Livestock Trailers

Account for animals, tack, feed, water and trailer balance. Stability, payload and braking matter as much as the headline towing figure.

Boats and Recreational Trailers

A Ram 1500 can suit many boats and utility trailers while preserving everyday comfort and manoeuvrability.

Commercial and Contractor Use

Frequent towing, tools, passengers and bed cargo can justify moving up a class even when the trailer alone appears to fit a lighter truck.

Towing Numbers Explained

Five Numbers to Check Before Choosing a Truck

A maximum towing figure is useful for comparison, but your real-world match depends on the complete weight picture.

1

Loaded Trailer Weight

Use the trailer's expected loaded weight, not only its empty or dry weight. Include water, propane, batteries, tools, cargo and installed accessories.

2

Payload

Payload must cover passengers, cargo, accessories and trailer tongue or pin weight. This is often the limiting number for RV towing.

3

Tongue or Pin Weight

Conventional trailers typically place a portion of their total weight on the hitch. Fifth-wheels and goosenecks can place much more weight in the bed.

4

GVWR and GCWR

GVWR is the maximum loaded weight of the truck. GCWR is the maximum combined weight of the loaded truck and trailer.

5

Exact Configuration

Engine, axle ratio, cab, bed, drivetrain, wheel configuration, trim and options all affect ratings. Verify the specific VIN before purchase.

6

Useful Safety Margin

A truck that stays comfortably within its ratings may provide a better ownership experience than one operating close to every published maximum.

Shopping Across Brands?

How to Compare Ram With Ford, Chevrolet and GMC

Do not compare only the largest advertised number. Compare trucks configured for the same cab, bed, drivetrain, engine, axle ratio and payload requirement.

Ram vs. Ford

Compare equivalent F-150 or Super Duty configurations using payload labels, hitch ratings, powertrain choice, ride quality and towing technology.

Ram vs. Chevrolet

Compare equivalent Silverado 1500 or HD models based on the trailer you own, not only the maximum published capability for each brand.

Ram vs. GMC

Compare Sierra 1500 or HD configurations by real payload, trailer type, interior priorities and how often the truck will tow.

Hanover Chrysler can help compare a specific Ram VIN against the actual trailer and payload needs you provide. That is more useful than comparing broad model-level maximums.
Official Ram Resource Centre

2026 Ram Payload and Towing Guides

Open the official Ram towing charts in a new browser tab for viewing, printing or downloading.

2026 Ram Heavy Duty Payload and Towing Guide cover Official Ram Guide

2026 Ram 2500 & 3500 Payload and Towing Guide

Explore Ram Heavy Duty towing ratings, payload information, HEMI and Cummins configurations, fifth-wheel and gooseneck capability.

View Guide Open Full PDF

The official Ram PDFs open in a new browser tab because Ram Trucks does not allow these documents to be displayed inside another website.

Towing Calculator Estimate the Ram model range that fits your trailer and payload needs. Engine Comparison Compare Pentastar, Hurricane, HEMI and Cummins powertrains. Payload Education Understand GVWR, GCWR, hitch weight and real-world payload. Towing Consultation Have our Ram team verify a truck and trailer combination.
At-a-Glance Comparison

Which Ram Truck Fits Which Job?

Ram Model Best Starting Point For Maximum Towing* Maximum Payload* Important Consideration
Ram 1500 Daily driving, boats, utility trailers and many travel trailers Up to 11,610 lb Up to 2,360 lb Check payload carefully once passengers, cargo and tongue weight are included.
Ram 2500 Large travel trailers, equipment trailers and some fifth-wheels Up to 20,000 lb Up to 4,580 lb Provides greater payload and heavy-duty chassis capability without necessarily moving to a dually.
Ram 3500 Heavy fifth-wheels, goosenecks and demanding commercial use Up to 36,610 lb Up to 7,590 lb Dual-rear-wheel configurations may be required for the highest ratings.
Shop All New Ram Trucks Request a Towing Consultation
Ram Towing Help Near Hanover

Serving Truck Owners Across Grey, Bruce, Wellington and Perth Counties

Hanover Chrysler helps customers compare Ram towing configurations for RVs, farms, contractors, boats and recreational trailers across Midwestern Ontario.

Hanover & Walkerton

Ram towing and payload guidance close to home.

Owen Sound & Chesley

Truck matching for trailers, farms and work.

Kincardine & Port Elgin

Ram capability for boats, RVs and contractors.

Mount Forest & Arthur

Heavy-duty towing and commercial truck support.

Listowel & Mildmay

Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 towing comparisons.

Durham & Neustadt

Local assistance with payload and trailer matching.

Teeswater & Wingham

Farm, livestock and equipment-trailer guidance.

Surrounding Communities

Contact us with your trailer specifications before you buy.

Ram Towing FAQ

Common Questions About Ram Towing Capacity

Yes. Many travel trailers fall within the capability of a properly equipped Ram 1500. The key is verifying loaded trailer weight, tongue weight and the payload rating of the exact truck--not only the advertised maximum towing number.
A Ram 2500 is worth considering when trailer tongue weight, passengers and cargo leave too little payload margin in a 1500, or when the trailer is heavy enough that a heavy-duty chassis, brakes, cooling and hitch setup are a better fit.
Towing capacity is the maximum trailer weight a properly configured truck may tow. Payload is the weight the truck itself can carry, including people, cargo, accessories and tongue or pin weight. A truck can remain under its towing maximum while exceeding payload.
Not always. Some fifth-wheels can be matched to an appropriately configured Ram 2500, but fifth-wheel pin weight can consume payload quickly. Larger or heavier fifth-wheels often point toward a Ram 3500, sometimes with dual rear wheels.
Diesel torque and heavy-duty capability can be valuable for frequent or heavy towing, but gas engines may offer lower purchase cost, greater payload in some configurations and a simpler fit for occasional towing. The right answer depends on trailer weight, annual distance, terrain and ownership priorities.
Yes. Bring the trailer specifications, expected loaded weight, tongue or pin weight, hitch type and the number of passengers and cargo you expect to carry. We can help identify suitable Ram configurations and verify the relevant ratings before you purchase.
A numerically higher axle ratio can support stronger towing performance and may be required for the highest ratings, but it can affect fuel economy and engine speed. Always compare the exact factory configuration.
Dry weight is rarely the best planning number because trailers gain weight from water, propane, batteries, cargo and accessories. Use a realistic loaded weight and review the trailer GVWR as an upper boundary.

Bring Us Your Trailer Specs. We'll Help Match the Truck.

Talk with Hanover Chrysler at 664 10th Street in Hanover or call 519-364-3570.

Contact a Ram Specialist
*Important towing disclaimer: Maximum ratings shown are for select configurations when properly equipped. Actual towing and payload ratings vary by engine, transmission, axle ratio, cab, bed, drivetrain, wheel configuration, trim, options, passengers, cargo and hitch equipment. Trailer weight and payload ratings are mutually exclusive. Never exceed GAWR, GVWR, GCWR or any manufacturer recommendation. Always verify the specific vehicle's ratings, certification label and owner's information before towing. A weight-distributing hitch, fifth-wheel hitch or gooseneck hitch may be required depending on trailer weight and configuration.
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