When you're looking to buy a full-size pickup truck, you want a good-looking vehicle with an upscale cab, powerful performance, and the capability to haul and tow everything from tools to toys. The 2023 RAM 1500 delivers all this and more. The Ram is available in various trim levels, including Tradesman, Big Horn, Rebel, Laramie, Limited Longhorn, Limited, and TRX, each with substantial towing capacities.
The 2023 RAM 1500 is available in two cab configurations: quad cab or crew cab. Both have four doors and a backseat, but the quad cab has less rear legroom. Crew cabs come with your choice of a 5-foot-7 short bed or a 6-foot-4 long bed, while all quad cabs have a long bed.
Choosing the Tradesman or Big Horn models allows you to customize your cab and bed configuration. The Laramie, Longhorn, and Limited trims come standard with a crew cab and a long or short bed, while the off-road-oriented Rebel and TRX are only available with a crew cab and short bed. Our team at Ciocca Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (CDJR) of Hanover has created a valuable guide to help you discover more about the towing and payload capacities of the 2023 RAM 1500.
Towing and Payload Overview
The towing capacity and payload for the 2023 Ram 1500 depends on the cab and bed configuration, which engine you choose, and whether you opt for rear-wheel drive (RWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). The Ram can tow up to 6,170 pounds with its least-capable configurations. At the top end, it can deliver a maximum towing capacity of 12,750 pounds. As for payload, the Ram 1500 can haul from 1,240 to 2,300 pounds.
Engine Power and Capability
The RAM 1500's impressive towing and payload capacities are made possible by a great lineup of powerful engines, each paired with a smooth and efficient eight-speed automatic transmission. On each trim, RWD is standard, and 4WD is optional. The exception is the TRX, where 4WD is included as standard.
First up is a 3.6-liter V-6 engine delivering 305 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque. It has Ram's eTorque mild hybrid system for enhanced power and fuel efficiency. When equipped with this engine, RWD, a quad cab, and a long bed, the Ram 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 7,740 pounds and a payload of up to 2,300 pounds.
You can opt for a 3.0-liter V-6 EcoDiesel that generates 260 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. With the quad cab, long bed, and RWD, the EcoDiesel gives the Ram 1500 a towing capacity of up to 9,600 pounds and a maximum payload of 2,090 pounds.
Standard for the Limited trim and optional for most other models is a 5.7-liter V-8 engine with eTorque. It delivers 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. When properly equipped, the Ram 1500 with this engine has a maximum payload of 1,860 pounds and can tow up to an outstanding 12,750 pounds.
Exclusively for the Ram 1500 TRX is a mighty 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 that pumps out an awe-inspiring 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. The TRX is designed and specially equipped for optimal high-speed off-road performance and can take you from zero to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds. That doesn't mean you can't take your toys along for the ride. This truck has a maximum towing capacity of 8,100 pounds and a payload of up to 1,310 pounds.
Towing Features and Technology
The 2023 RAM 1500 offers standard and available features to make hitching and towing a trailer easier and safer. It comes standard with trailer sway damping that can adjust the brakes to help control trailer movement if it begins to sway. The available four-corner air suspension automatically adjusts the ride height and supports the stability of the truck and trailer. Depending on the trim, you can opt for a 360-degree trailer-view camera system and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert and trailer detection.
The available Trailer-Tow Group includes a Class IV receiver hitch, power trailer towing mirrors, a trailer brake controller, trailer light check, and a trailer tire pressure monitoring system. It also gives you a trailer reverse steering control system that helps you back up a trailer confidently and efficiently. It enables you to use a dashboard-mounted knob to guide the trailer to where you want it while the system operates the truck's steering wheel.
Towing Safety
The RAM 1500's superb capability makes it the perfect truck for towing travel trailers, boats, ATVs, and other recreational vehicles. However, the towing capacities shown above are the maximum amounts the vehicle is capable of hauling. The actual load you can tow depends on several factors.
To calculate the safe towing capacity of your truck, you should understand the following terms:
- GVWR: The gross vehicle weight rating is the maximum permitted weight of the vehicle, including passengers, cargo, and the weight of the truck itself. A trailer will have its own separate GVWR.
- GCWR: Gross combined weight rating is the maximum allowable weight of your vehicle and trailer combined. It includes the truck, trailer, passengers, and cargo.
- GTW: Gross trailer weight is the trailer's total weight, including any cargo it's carrying.
- Tongue weight: The tongue weight is the amount of weight exerted on the towing hitch by a loaded trailer. This should be around 10% of the gross trailer weight.
It's important to never exceed the maximum weight limits of your vehicle and trailer, or it could affect their stability and safety. Kelley Blue Book's towing capacity guide recommends staying below 10% of the maximum towing capacity to account for miscalculations and shifting loads.
When you're towing, you need to consider the extra weight and length of your truck and trailer. Drive slower and be prepared to brake early, as it will take you longer to stop. If you need to overtake, allow more time, and don't cut in too early. Keep in mind you'll need to take turns wider than usual. On downgrades, downshift the transmission rather than riding the brakes to slow down.
Are You Ready to Haul Some Gear?
If you want to see all the superb features and capabilities of the 2023 Ram 1500 for yourself, come visit us at Ciocca CDJR in Hanover, Pennsylvania. Alternatively, browse our extensive inventory online and contact us to schedule a test drive. When you've got a job to do, the RAM 1500 has the power and capability you need to get it done.
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