Ram Pickup Trucks Do Not Toe the Line: Towing Cargo is Another Matter

Photo Source: Ram

The 2023 Ram 1500 full-size pickup truck brings incremental modifications to powertrains, features, and available configurations. Still, the tow ratings continue to stretch from 6,120 pounds to 12,750 pounds to meet a wide array of needs. The Ram 1500 was designed to increase its game in capability and modern technology.

Myriad Choices

The 2023 Ram 1500 offers two cabs (Extended Cab and Crew Cab), coil or air suspensions, two bed lengths (five feet, seven inches and six feet, four inches), and rear- or four-wheel drive. There are three powertrain options, all with eight-speed automatic transmissions. The 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine is now offered with the eTorque mild–hybrid system, which is the more efficient variant of the Hemi V-8. 

The base engine remains the 3.6-liter V-6 with an eTorque system, and the high-performance TRX trim retains the supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V-8. In addition, there is a fourth option as long as supplies are available: the turbo-diesel 3.0-liter V-6 that showcases better fuel efficiency with equally solid towing capability. That engine has since been discontinued.

The Ram 1500 pickup’s maximum tow ratings are determined by trailer weight ratings and Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings. It is worth noting that the advertised maximum for any pickup truck assumes the most favorable conditions. In other words, maximum towing capacities in the real world will diminish due to added cargo and passenger load and possibly by additional optional and aftermarket equipment. Additionally, for security purposes, Ram recommends a weight-distributing hitch to tow anything over 5,000 pounds.

Analyzing Ram’s Maximum Towing Capacity

As mentioned, the top-end towing capacity for the 2023 Ram 1500 is 12,750 pounds. That rating is for the introductory Tradesman trim level’s Quad Cab–Ram’s term for its four-door Extended Cab–with the six-foot, four-inch bed, the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 engine with eTorque, rear-wheel drive, and the optional Max Tow Package. The rating also applies to the same bed, cab, and engine configuration in the Big Horn trim. 

Moreover, the Max Tow Package is available only on rear-wheel drive Quad Cab trucks with the V-8 engine in the Tradesman and the Big Horn trims. It includes a 9.75-inch rear axle, a full-size spare tire, and 18-by-8-inch wheels. A Trailer-Tow Group is also available, adding features like a trailer brake controller, trailer tow mirrors, and many more. Of note, every Ram 1500 has an impressive ride courtesy of a rear suspension that utilizes standard coil springs or optional air springs, unlike the traditional leaf-spring setup found on domestic rivals. Vehicles outfitted with air suspension even have an adjustable ride height, which aids fuel efficiency and off-road performance.

The Top-Tier TRX

The Ram 1500 TRX trim is powered by a 6.2-liter Hemi V-8 engine, delivering 702 horsepower and producing 650 pound-feet of torque. The top-end TRX is available as a four-wheel drive Crew Cab with a five-foot, seven-inch box. It is offered with the 3.55 axle ratio, and this single configuration is rated to tow up to 8,100 pounds. Ram lauds the TRX trim as the fastest and most powerful mass-produced half-ton pickup truck in the world.

Even though there are several variables to consider regarding the towing capabilities of vehicles, they are imperative when deciding which pickup truck is right for you. If you are searching for a suitable truck, please come visit Miami Lakes Automall. Do you need to haul heavy equipment? Are you going on a family road trip in 2023? Visit us and take a tour of our on-site inventory today.