RAM 1500 towing capacity

[mpack279]

Hi everyone!
Have a question. Just got a new RAM 1500 crew cab. Ramtrucks site lists the towing capacity as 11,509lbs
when I look up my VIN on ramtrucks towing guide

2021 RAM 1500 Crew Cab 4x4
5.7L V8 HEMI® MDS VVT eTorque Engine
8 speed automatic 8hp75 transmission
3.92 Axle ratio
Class IV tow hitch (Owners manual says Class IV max is 12,750lbs)

But A popular RV dealer site lists the tow capacity as 6460lbs when I use their VIN lookup.

I’m thinking the RV site is looking at the base specs with 3.21 Axles.

Who should I trust? Dealer says max tow is 11,509 too.

From the door sticker
GVWR is 7100lbs
GAWR Front is 3800lbs
GAWR Rear is 4100lbs
GCWR isn’t listed and can’t find on the RAM site for 2021 models.

I’m inclined to believe the dealer site especially since class IV is rated at 127500, this particular engine is also rated the same.

Curios if anyone knows? Or knows a better way to look up. I think the ramtrucks.com towing site VIN lookup would be the better source.

Thanks

[azdryheat]

Dealer gets my voote

[dsol]

I agree go with the Ram site. I generally suggest you pay very little attention to the RV salesman. Much more at stake if the Ram site is wrong.

And by the way that low number is way too low to be reasonable.

[persistent]

The sticker on the driver's door frame is the definitive value for that individual truck. It is Federally mandated and calculations are for the most part consistent across mfg's. Next best would be to look up by VIN in mfg tables.

Both values need to be adjusted for weight of absolutely everything added to the truck after it left the factory. Even required after market hitches and and receivers must be included. Overweight driver's also.

For smaller trucks and SUV's, you can often calculate towing capacity from cargo capacity or from MGVW - Dry or Unloaded weight.

First figure cargo capacity. Then subtract weight of passengers, luggage, equipment, after market add-ons, etc. The remainder is available for tongue weight.

Actual weights are what matter, but you can estimate. Tongue weight must be at least 10% of TT actual weight for safe towing. So, multiply remaining cargo weight by 10 for maximum towing capacity. 15% tongue weight will be more stable. Published tongue weights are often wrong. I have seen dry tongue weights at double the published value.

Yes, actual towing capacity can be substantially lower than sticker or advertised towing capacity. Shocking isn't it.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!

[persistent]

"Class IV tow hitch (Owners manual says Class IV max is 12,750lbs)"

This may be the max weight for the hitch receiver, not the truck.

"Ramtrucks site lists the towing capacity as 11,509lbs
when I look up my VIN on ramtrucks towing guide"

So this means TT MGVW when there are no passengers, luggage, bed liners, caps, undercoat, camping equipment, weight distribution hitch, after market hitch receiver, etc. Possibly tongue weight may be no more than 1,151 pounds.

Do the math.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!

[Pugapooh]

Dealer wants to sell a camper. NEVER take their word for anything.

[acdii]

Go drive to the nearest scale with your family who would normally travel with you camping, and get a weight. Subtract that weight from the 7100 GVWR number. That determines how much trailer you can tow. Every Thing Else is meaningless!!!!!

Payload / .13 (13%) equals the GVWR of the trailer it can tow with 13% tongue weight. So lets say you have 765 pounds payload left over from GVWR. 765/.13=5885. There you go, now you know.

[ewarnerusa]

Persistent and acdii have provided excellent advice for how much your light duty truck can manage. Rated "towing capacity" is kind of a misleading marketing term for light duty vehicles. The payload capacity is what determines if that vehicle can safely tow the camper, and the camper represents a lot of payload in the form of tongue weight.

[aguablanco]

It really doesn't matter what the towing capacity is, that number is, at best, a mirage. The only real number that matter is cargo carrying capacity. A quick way to see what your truck can really tow is to read the sticker on the door jamb that states cargo capacity. I will use my truck and trailer as an example.

CCC=1540#
Trailer=6000#loaded
Tongue Wt=~720# (approximately12% which is ideal)
1540-720=820# of excess cargo capacity for passengers, load in bed and a safety margin.
If you tell us you numbers we can help in a more substantial manner. BTW use the GVW for the trailer NOT the UVW as no one tows an empty trailer. If these numbers aren't readily available a trip to the scale can be helpful.
RichH

[bobdaney48@gmail.com]

VIN is correct

[Redfour5]

Originally Posted by mpack279

Hi everyone!
Have a question. Just got a new RAM 1500 crew cab. Ramtrucks site lists the towing capacity as 11,509lbs
when I look up my VIN on ramtrucks towing guide

2021 RAM 1500 Crew Cab 4x4
5.7L V8 HEMI® MDS VVT eTorque Engine
8 speed automatic 8hp75 transmission
3.92 Axle ratio
Class IV tow hitch (Owners manual says Class IV max is 12,750lbs)

But A popular RV dealer site lists the tow capacity as 6460lbs when I use their VIN lookup.

I’m thinking the RV site is looking at the base specs with 3.21 Axles.

Who should I trust? Dealer says max tow is 11,509 too.

From the door sticker
GVWR is 7100lbs
GAWR Front is 3800lbs
GAWR Rear is 4100lbs
GCWR isn’t listed and can’t find on the RAM site for 2021 models.

I’m inclined to believe the dealer site especially since class IV is rated at 127500, this particular engine is also rated the same.

Curios if anyone knows? Or knows a better way to look up. I think the ramtrucks.com towing site VIN lookup would be the better source.

Thanks

A little late but this is an official Ram site that gives your specific trucks payload and total capacity. https://www.ramtrucks.com/towing/tow...nding/bytowing

[persistent]

First believe the door sticker. That was accurate when it left the factory. Federal law.
Second, believe manufacture site that allows look up by VIN.
Don't believe the dealer site.
Don't believe all other published sources. They are confusing and often not kept up to date as the manufacturer roles out new models during the year.
The spec. for the hitch is the spec for the hitch, not the truck.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!

[stalledjeepproject]

So the quick math on the 1500 4x4 crew cab short bed 5.7 gas engine with 3.92 gears is GCWR of 17,000 - 7000 for the truck = 10000 tow capacity. 10% (recommended) hitch weight would be 1000 on the hitch max. If my fully loaded trailer is around 7500 lbs, I should be within spec.

[aguablanco]

Actually almost everyone recommends 12% hitch weight. Towing capacity means almost nothing. Cargo carrying capacity is the determining factor for what can be safely towed.I would bet that you CCC is under 1400# since it is a 4x4.


7500x12%=900# hitch weight
2 passengers= ~300# You can determine more accurately.
Stuff in bed, gas, grill, firewood, generator etc.= ~300#
That adds up to 1500#. Check your door sticker and see if you have the capacity.

I tow 6000# loaded with a 2017 Eco Diesel and that is my personal limit for safety and comfort.

Canyon

Originally Posted by stalledjeepproject

So the quick math on the 1500 4x4 crew cab short bed 5.7 gas engine with 3.92 gears is GCWR of 17,000 - 7000 for the truck = 10000 tow capacity. 10% (recommended) hitch weight would be 1000 on the hitch max. If my fully loaded trailer is around 7500 lbs, I should be within spec.

[Redfour5]

Originally Posted by mpack279

Hi everyone!
Have a question. Just got a new RAM 1500 crew cab. Ramtrucks site lists the towing capacity as 11,509lbs
when I look up my VIN on ramtrucks towing guide

2021 RAM 1500 Crew Cab 4x4
5.7L V8 HEMI® MDS VVT eTorque Engine
8 speed automatic 8hp75 transmission
3.92 Axle ratio
Class IV tow hitch (Owners manual says Class IV max is 12,750lbs)

But A popular RV dealer site lists the tow capacity as 6460lbs when I use their VIN lookup.

I’m thinking the RV site is looking at the base specs with 3.21 Axles.

Who should I trust? Dealer says max tow is 11,509 too.

From the door sticker
GVWR is 7100lbs
GAWR Front is 3800lbs
GAWR Rear is 4100lbs
GCWR isn’t listed and can’t find on the RAM site for 2021 models.

I’m inclined to believe the dealer site especially since class IV is rated at 127500, this particular engine is also rated the same.

Curios if anyone knows? Or knows a better way to look up. I think the ramtrucks.com towing site VIN lookup would be the better source.

Thanks

WHAT? I agree. The RAM site is where you go... They are the manufacturer. They have some liability associated with incorrect answers... I think someone was correct in assessing that the "dealer" site took data off of the "charts" that are available from Ram that are "generalized."

AND, drum roll please... LOOK at the sticker on your truck. It WILL be correct...then if you want go check it against the website numbers.