2026 RAM 1500 Towing Capacity South Jersey

Properly equipped, the 2026 Ram 1500 tows up to 11,610 lbs and carries a maximum payload of 2,360 lbs. Those two ceilings come from different configurations, so no single truck hits both at once. What your Ram actually tows depends on the engine, the rear axle ratio, the cab and bed, and whether it has the trailer-tow equipment. This page breaks down the full towing and payload picture for South Jersey drivers, from a Marlton boat hauler to a contractor running materials around Mount Holly, using Ram's official SAE J2807 capacity chart.

Maximum Towing and Payload by Engine

The 2026 Ram 1500 offers four engines, each with its own capability profile. Which engine lands on which trim is covered in our 2026 Ram 1500 trim breakdown.

3.0L Hurricane Standard Output Twin-Turbo I6

• Max towing: 11,610 lbs
• Max payload: 1,930 lbs
• The towing leader of the lineup and the engine to choose if pulling a heavy trailer is the priority.

5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque

• Max towing: 11,320 lbs
• Max payload: 1,650 lbs
• The returning V8 for buyers who want traditional eight-cylinder power with serious tow numbers close behind the Hurricane.

3.0L Hurricane High Output Twin-Turbo I6

• Max towing: 10,000 lbs
• Max payload: 1,490 lbs
• The 540-horsepower performance engine. Strong capability, tuned more for power than for the highest tow rating.

3.6L Pentastar V6 eTorque

• Max towing: 8,130 lbs
• Max payload: 2,360 lbs (the highest payload in the lineup)
• The efficiency and payload pick. Best for lighter trailers, utility loads, and hauling weight in the bed.

Full Tow Ratings by Axle Ratio and Configuration

Axle ratio is the variable most buyers overlook. The same engine can swing thousands of pounds depending on gearing. From Ram's official capacity chart:

• Hurricane SO: about 8,500 lbs with the 3.21 axle, climbing to the 11,610-lb maximum with the 3.92 axle.
• HEMI V8: about 8,200 lbs with the 3.21 axle, up to 11,320 lbs with the 3.92 axle.
• V6: roughly 6,570 lbs with the 3.21 axle, up to 8,130 lbs when optimized.
• Hurricane HO: 8,360 lbs on the RHO, up to 10,000 lbs on the Limited, all with the 3.92 axle.

Cab and bed also shift the rating: Quad Cab and Crew Cab builds carry slightly different numbers, and a 5-foot-7-inch bed rates differently than a 6-foot-4-inch bed. The figures above reflect the SAE J2807 standard the whole industry tests to, so they compare cleanly against an F-150 or Silverado 1500.

How to Get the Maximum Tow Rating

To reach the 11,610-lb maximum, you need a specific build: the Standard Output Hurricane engine, the 3.92 rear axle ratio, and the proper trailer-tow equipment. A base truck off the lot will not pull that number. If you tow regularly down the Garden State Parkway toward Manahawkin or out to Lakewood, confirm the axle ratio on the window sticker before you buy, since it is the single biggest lever on capability. Ram recommends a weight-distributing hitch for any trailer over 5,000 lbs. You can filter our in-stock Ram 1500 trucks and have our team confirm the axle and tow package on any specific VIN.

Towing Versus Payload

Towing capacity and payload are rated separately and cannot both be maxed on the same trip. Payload covers everything you add to the truck: passengers, cargo, bed accessories, and the trailer's tongue weight, which Ram calculates at about 10% of trailer weight. So a heavy trailer eats into your usable payload. The combined limit is the GCWR, the gross combined weight rating, and Ram is clear that the GVWR, axle ratings, and GCWR should never be exceeded. For Sicklerville and Turnersville buyers weighing a camper against a bed full of gear, the V6's class-high 2,360-lb payload is often the more useful spec than a tow number they will rarely approach. Full weight specs are on our 2026 Ram 1500 specs page.

2026 Ram 1500 Towing Technology

Ram pairs the capability with one of the deeper trailering tech suites in the class:

• Trailer Hitch Assist
• Trailer Reverse Guidance with dynamic gridlines
• Digital Rearview Mirror with Tow Mode
• Integrated Trailer Health Monitor
• Power telescoping trailer-tow mirrors

These features take much of the stress out of backing a trailer into a tight Robbinsville driveway or a crowded boat ramp.

2026 Ram 1500 Towing FAQ

How much can the 2026 Ram 1500 tow?

Properly equipped, the 2026 Ram 1500 tows up to 11,610 pounds with the Standard Output 3.0L Hurricane engine and the 3.92 rear axle ratio.

Which 2026 Ram 1500 engine tows the most?

The Standard Output 3.0L Hurricane tows the most at 11,610 pounds, followed by the 5.7L HEMI V8 at 11,320 pounds, the High-Output Hurricane at 10,000 pounds, and the 3.6L Pentastar V6 at 8,130 pounds.

What is the payload capacity of the 2026 Ram 1500?

The 2026 Ram 1500 carries a maximum payload of 2,360 pounds with the 3.6L Pentastar V6. Towing and payload are rated separately and cannot both be maximized at the same time.

What do I need to tow the maximum with a 2026 Ram 1500?

Reaching the 11,610-pound maximum requires the Standard Output Hurricane engine, the 3.92 rear axle ratio, and the proper trailer-tow equipment. Ram recommends a weight-distributing hitch for trailers over 5,000 pounds.

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