Jeep Chrysler Dodge RAM FIAT® of Ontario
Whether you’re shopping a brand-new 2026 Ram 1500 or trying to figure out what your pre-owned Dodge Ram 1500 can pull, the answer to “how much can a Ram 1500 tow” comes down to one thing: the engine under the hood. Across 17 model years from 2010 to 2026, the Ram 1500 has carried nine different engine options — from the 3.7L V6 of the early 4th generation to the modern 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo I6, with the iconic 5.7L HEMI V8 anchoring the lineup for most of that span. This guide breaks down towing and payload capacity by engine, with verified specifications for every model year, so you can quickly find what the Ram 1500 in your driveway — or the one on our lot — can actually handle. Jeep Chrysler Dodge RAM FIAT® of Ontario is your Inland Empire resource for new Ram trucks across Ontario, Corona, Norco, Claremont, West Covina, and Riverside.
The table below summarizes maximum towing capacity for every Dodge Ram 1500 engine offered between 2010 and 2026. Maximum figures require specific configurations — typically a lighter cab style, a 4×2 drivetrain, the optimum axle ratio, and the available towing package. Actual ratings vary by configuration; consult your owner’s manual or contact our team for build-specific numbers.
| Engine | Years Offered | Max Towing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L Hurricane I6 Twin-Turbo (Standard Output) | 2025–2026 | 11,610 lbs (2026) / 11,550 lbs (2025) | Highest-towing current engine |
| 3.0L Hurricane I6 Twin-Turbo (High Output) | 2025–2026 | 10,000 lbs (2026) / 9,920 lbs (2025) | 540 hp performance variant |
| 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque | 2019–2024, 2026 | 12,750 lbs (2019–2024) / 11,320 lbs (2026) | Highest tow rating in Ram 1500 history |
| 5.7L HEMI V8 (non-eTorque) | 2010–2018 | 10,450 lbs | 4th gen DS body |
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 with eTorque | 2019–2026 | 8,130 lbs (2026) | Highest payload in lineup |
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 (non-eTorque) | 2013–2018 | 7,300–7,450 lbs | Replaced 3.7L V6 in 2013 |
| 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 | 2014–2019, 2020–2023 | 12,560 lbs (2020–2023) / 9,200 lbs (2014–2019) | Discontinued January 2023 |
| 6.2L Supercharged HEMI V8 (TRX) | 2021–2024 | 8,100 lbs | 702 hp performance halo |
| 4.7L Magnum V8 | 2010–2012 | ~7,650 lbs | Discontinued after 2012 |
| 3.7L Magnum V6 | 2010–2012 | ~3,800 lbs | Replaced by Pentastar in 2013 |
Towing figures sourced from official Stellantis press releases, Ramtrucks.com, and Ram 1500 manufacturer specification documents.
When Ram replaced the HEMI V8 with a twin-turbocharged inline-six for 2025, the new 3.0L Hurricane became the highest-towing engine in the half-ton segment. The Standard Output (SO) Hurricane delivers 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque, and it can tow up to 11,610 pounds in the 2026 Dodge Ram 1500 when properly equipped — 60 pounds more than the 2025 figure of 11,550 pounds.
The High Output (HO) variant pushes power to 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque, but its tow rating is intentionally lower at 10,000 pounds (2026) or 9,920 pounds (2025). The HO is tuned for performance and acceleration rather than maximum trailer weight, and it’s the exclusive engine for the off-road-focused Ram 1500 RHO and the luxury Ram 1500 Tungsten trim.
Both Hurricane engines pair with a TorqueFlite® 8-speed automatic transmission. The Standard Output Hurricane is available across Tradesman, Express, Big Horn, Warlock, Laramie, and Rebel trims in the 2026 model year.
The legendary 5.7L HEMI V8 has anchored the Ram 1500 lineup for most of the past two decades, dropped briefly for the 2025 model year, then returned by popular demand for 2026. Stellantis confirmed the return in June 2025, with Ram brand CEO Tim Kuniskis stating that consumer demand “raised the flag and let the HEMI ring free again.”
For the 5th generation Dodge Ram 1500 (DT body), Ram paired the 5.7L HEMI V8 with the eTorque mild-hybrid system. Output stayed at 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, but the eTorque system adds up to 130 lb-ft of immediate launch torque from a 48-volt battery-driven motor-generator.
The 5.7L HEMI with eTorque delivers:
In the 4th generation DS body (2010–2018), the 5.7L HEMI V8 produced 390 horsepower and 407 lb-ft of torque (uprated to 395 hp / 410 lb-ft starting in 2014). Maximum towing reached 10,450 pounds with a Regular Cab, 4×2 drivetrain, and 3.92 axle ratio. This was a meaningful jump from the 2009 rating of 9,100 pounds — Ram raised the GCWR to 15,500 pounds for the 2010 model year, unlocking the higher figure.
The 3.6L Pentastar V6 has been the standard engine in the Ram 1500 since it replaced the older 3.7L V6 in 2013. Beginning with the 5th generation in 2019, the Pentastar gained the eTorque mild-hybrid system. While it’s not the tow champion, the Pentastar V6 carries the highest payload capacity in the entire Ram 1500 lineup — up to 2,360 pounds in the 2026 Ram 1500 — making it the right choice for owners who carry heavy cargo in the bed more often than they tow trailers.
The 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 was the first diesel engine offered in a modern American half-ton pickup. Built by VM Motori in Italy, it ran in two distinct generations in the Dodge Ram 1500 before Stellantis ended production in January 2023.
If you’re shopping a pre-owned diesel Dodge Ram 1500, the 2020–2023 EcoDiesel models represent the peak of the engine’s evolution — and the last opportunity to buy a half-ton Ram with a diesel powertrain.
The Ram 1500 TRX was the off-road performance halo built to challenge the Ford F-150 Raptor. Its supercharged 6.2L HEMI V8 produced 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque — the most powerful factory engine ever installed in a half-ton pickup. Despite the massive output, the TRX’s maximum towing capacity was 8,100 pounds — lower than the standard HEMI V8 because the TRX is engineered for high-speed off-road performance rather than maximum trailer weight. The TRX was produced from the 2021 through 2024 model years and is not currently available in the 2026 lineup, though Ram has signaled the nameplate may return.
The early 4th generation Dodge Ram 1500 carried two engine options that have since disappeared from the lineup. The 4.7L Magnum V8 produced 310 horsepower and 330 lb-ft of torque and could tow up to approximately 7,650 pounds. It was discontinued after the 2012 model year. The 3.7L Magnum V6, the base engine of the 2010–2012 Dodge Ram 1500, produced 210–215 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque with a maximum towing capacity of roughly 3,800 pounds. The 3.7L V6 was replaced by the more capable 3.6L Pentastar V6 starting in the 2013 model year.
Payload — the total weight the truck can carry in the cab and bed combined, including passengers, cargo, and trailer tongue weight — is often the real limiting factor for owners who use their Dodge Ram 1500 for work or recreation. The highest payload ratings in the lineup come from the 3.6L Pentastar V6 with eTorque, which trades raw tow capacity for bed and cab capacity.
| Model Year | Engine | Max Payload |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3.6L Pentastar V6 w/ eTorque | 2,360 lbs |
| 2026 | 3.0L Hurricane I6 (SO) | 1,930 lbs |
| 2026 | 5.7L HEMI V8 w/ eTorque | 1,650 lbs |
| 2026 | 3.0L Hurricane I6 (HO) | 1,490 lbs |
| 2025 | 3.6L Pentastar V6 w/ eTorque | 2,370 lbs |
| 2025 | 3.0L Hurricane I6 (SO) | 1,980 lbs |
| 2025 | 3.0L Hurricane I6 (HO) | 1,520 lbs |
| 2024 | 3.6L Pentastar V6 w/ eTorque | 2,300 lbs |
Ram 1500 Rebel payload capacity specifically depends on the model year and engine configuration. The 2024 Ram 1500 Rebel (5.7L HEMI V8) carried a payload of 1,580 pounds with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 6,900 pounds. The 2026 Rebel is available with the 3.0L Hurricane I6 or — in late 2026 availability — the returning 5.7L HEMI V8. Rebel models prioritize off-road capability with raised ride height, performance shocks, and 33-inch tires, which can slightly reduce payload compared to street-tuned trims like the Big Horn or Laramie.
Maximum towing capacity for a Dodge Ram 1500 ranges from approximately 3,800 pounds (2010–2012 3.7L V6) to 12,750 pounds (2019–2024 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque). The current 2026 Ram 1500 tows up to 11,610 pounds with the 3.0L Hurricane I6 engine when properly equipped.
The 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 tows up to 10,450 pounds with the 5.7L HEMI V8 engine in a Regular Cab 4×2 configuration with the 3.92 axle ratio. The newly available 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 in 2014 towed up to 9,200 pounds, and the 3.6L Pentastar V6 reached approximately 7,300–7,450 pounds depending on configuration.
The 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque in 2019–2024 model year Dodge Ram 1500s holds the all-time record at 12,750 pounds when properly equipped. For current new Ram 1500s, the 3.0L Hurricane I6 (Standard Output) leads at 11,610 pounds for 2026.
Towing capacity is how much weight your Dodge Ram 1500 can pull behind it on a trailer. Payload is how much weight the truck can carry inside it — in the cab and bed combined, including passengers, cargo, and the trailer’s tongue weight. Trailer tongue weight counts against payload, so the two figures are mutually exclusive and both must be observed.
Payload capacity for the Ram 1500 Rebel depends on the model year and engine. The 2024 Ram 1500 Rebel with the 5.7L HEMI V8 carried 1,580 pounds of payload. Rebel models trade some payload capacity for off-road equipment including raised suspension, 33-inch tires, and performance shocks.
Yes — for 2026. Stellantis brought the 5.7L HEMI V8 back to the Dodge Ram 1500 for the 2026 model year after dropping it for 2025. The returning HEMI is paired with the eTorque mild-hybrid system, produces 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, and tows up to 11,320 pounds.
Whether you’re shopping a new 2026 Dodge Ram 1500 with the returning 5.7L HEMI V8 or looking at a pre-owned EcoDiesel from the 2020–2023 era, Jeep Chrysler Dodge RAM FIAT® of Ontario can help you match the right engine and configuration to your towing and payload needs. Our team serves drivers across Ontario, Corona, Norco, Claremont, West Covina, and Riverside. Visit us at 1202 Auto Center Dr in Ontario, or call our sales team at 909-757-0698 to get started.
Towing and payload figures shown are maximum capacities when properly equipped. Additional options, equipment, passengers, and cargo weight may affect payload and towing weights. Contact dealer for build-specific details.
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