2025 Ram 1500 vs 2500 vs. 3500 Towing Capacity Comparison

When you have serious towing to do, it’s only natural that you would turn to Ram. But with a full lineup of trucks and drivetrains, it might not be immediately obvious which truck or truck and drivetrain combination you need. That’s why you need a detailed breakdown of the incredible trucks offered by Ram for all of your towing needs.

Ram Trucks Maximum Towing Capacity

All of the trucks in the Ram lineup are incredibly capable, with the heavy-duty 2500 and 3500 offering even more towing capacity than the already impressive 1500. But there is a lot more to towing capacity than what’s in the chart, as each vehicle offers multiple drivetrains and configurations. Trucks are built for different purposes, so you can find a pretty wide range of towing capacities with just one model. So we obviously need to take a closer look at each model.

Ram 1500 Towing Capacity

It’s normal to assume that more power gives you more payload and towing capacity, and while that isn’t completely untrue, it’s nowhere near as simple as that. For example, the high-output version of the Hurricane has a lower capacity than the standard version, but that’s because it’s used in trims aimed more at performance, such as the 1500 RHO, where towing isn’t prioritized. And if payload is more important to you than towing, the Pentastar is both capable and cost-effective. One drivetrain that requires some explaining is the Ramcharger. The Ramcharger uses electric power to move, but there is also a Pentastar V6 under the hood. Unlike traditional hybrids or plug-in hybrids, the gasoline engine just produces electricity to replenish the battery pack, and doesn’t drive the wheels at all. This gives it an estimated range of 690 miles, far more than any other electric truck, but it still has incredible power, and goes from 0-60 in just 4.4 seconds. The drivetrain configuration is unlike anything else in the automotive market, and is most similar to what you find in a train locomotive. It’s therefore unsurprising that it gives you the highest towing capacity of any 1500.

Ram 2500 Towing Capacity

The 2500 is the first of two heavy-duty consumer models offered by Ram. The heavy-duty frame allows for a much higher towing capacity, and the option of a diesel engine gives the 2500 an incredible torque output. But as we can see once again, different engines have different strengths, and it’s the gasoline engine that gives you the much higher payload capacity. Like the 1500, the 2500 is built to be as versatile as possible, rather than just for towing or hauling, and the 2500 Power Wagon is a rare example of an extremely capable heavy-duty offroad pickup. While the 3500 might offer more towing and hauling capability, the 2500 offers a cost-effective way to still get a lot more capacity than the 1500.

Ram 3500 Towing Capacity

The 3500 is closely related to the 2500, as you can see from the fact that it comes with the same engine options. But there is a big difference between the two, and that is the available dual-wheel rear axle for the 3500. This gives a huge boost to what the bed can handle, and also allows for fifth-wheel towing. This is how the 3500 is able to offer so much more capacity than the 2500 using the same engines. The higher capacity of the 3500 doesn’t rest entirely in the dual-wheel configuration, and single-wheel versions will still offer more towing and payload capacity, it just won’t be nearly as dramatic a difference.