2021 Ram 2500 towing capacity.

The 2021 Ram 2500 tows 10,440 - 20,000 lbs depending on engine, cab, bed, drivetrain, axle ratio, GVWR, and GCWR.

Find your towing capacity Look up your exact 2021 Ram 2500 configuration → Check towing capacity by VIN Decode your VIN to prefill the 2021 lookup → View full comparison chart Jump to the full rating chart →

Built from official Ram 2021 towing guides. Source pages cited below.

2021 Ram 2500
2021 TOWING RANGE
10,440 - 20,000 LBS
PEAK PAYLOAD
4,010 LBS
MAX GCWR
27,980 LBS
2021 Ram 2500 towing capacity chart

2021 Ram 2500 Diesel

1 engine · 14,560 - 20,000 lbs · Peak payload 3,160 lbs

View Gas ↓ Back to chart top ↑
Engine Chart

6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel

14,560 - 20,000 lbs Engine page →

CREW CAB 4x2 TRADESMAN W BOX 6'4" SRW
3.73 10,000 lbs 2,780 lbs 27,700 lbs 20,000 lbs Base 7,222 lbs Base F/R 4,389 lbs / 2,833 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 6-Spd Auto 68RFE · TRADESMAN p.1
CREW CAB 4x2 TRADESMAN W BOX 8'0" SRW
3.73 10,000 lbs 2,640 lbs 27,840 lbs 20,000 lbs Base 7,361 lbs Base F/R 4,521 lbs / 2,840 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 6-Spd Auto 68RFE · TRADESMAN p.1
CREW CAB 4x2 TRADESMAN W RAMBOX 6'4" SRW
3.73 10,000 lbs 2,670 lbs 27,700 lbs 19,240 lbs Base 7,332 lbs Base F/R 4,360 lbs / 2,972 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 6-Spd Auto 68RFE · TRADESMAN p.1
CREW CAB 4x4 TRADESMAN W BOX 6'4" SRW
3.73 10,000 lbs 2,500 lbs 27,980 lbs 20,000 lbs Base 7,504 lbs Base F/R 4,658 lbs / 2,845 lbs GAWR F/R 5,750 lbs / 6,000 lbs 6-Spd Auto 68RFE · TRADESMAN p.1
CREW CAB 4x4 TRADESMAN W BOX 8'0" SRW
3.73 10,000 lbs 2,310 lbs 26,400 lbs 18,230 lbs Base 7,691 lbs Base F/R 4,817 lbs / 2,874 lbs GAWR F/R 5,750 lbs / 6,000 lbs 6-Spd Auto 68RFE · TRADESMAN p.1
CREW CAB 4x4 TRADESMAN W RAMBOX 6'4" SRW
3.73 10,000 lbs 2,370 lbs 27,980 lbs 18,920 lbs Base 7,633 lbs Base F/R 4,671 lbs / 2,963 lbs GAWR F/R 5,750 lbs / 6,000 lbs 6-Spd Auto 68RFE · TRADESMAN p.1
MEGA CAB 4x4 BIG HORN W BOX 6'4" SRW
3.73 10,000 lbs 2,040 lbs 24,240 lbs 15,690 lbs Base 7,956 lbs Base F/R 4,900 lbs / 3,056 lbs GAWR F/R 6,000 lbs / 6,040 lbs 6-Spd Auto 68RFE · BIG HORN p.1
MEGA CAB 4x4 BIG HORN W RAMBOX 6'4" SRW
3.73 10,000 lbs 1,930 lbs 24,240 lbs 14,560 lbs Base 8,069 lbs Base F/R 4,890 lbs / 3,180 lbs GAWR F/R 6,000 lbs / 6,040 lbs 6-Spd Auto 68RFE · BIG HORN p.1
REGULAR CAB 4x2 TRADESMAN W BOX 8'0" SRW
3.73 10,000 lbs 3,160 lbs 27,320 lbs 20,000 lbs Chart max Base 6,843 lbs Base F/R 4,213 lbs / 2,630 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 6-Spd Auto 68RFE · TRADESMAN p.1
REGULAR CAB 4x4 TRADESMAN W BOX 8'0" SRW
3.73 10,000 lbs 2,810 lbs 27,650 lbs 19,990 lbs Base 7,187 lbs Base F/R 4,514 lbs / 2,674 lbs GAWR F/R 5,750 lbs / 6,000 lbs 6-Spd Auto 68RFE · TRADESMAN p.1

2021 Ram 2500 Gas

1 engine · 10,440 - 17,540 lbs · Peak payload 4,010 lbs

Back to chart top ↑
Engine Chart

6.4L V8 Gas MDS Engine

10,440 - 17,540 lbs Engine page →

CREW CAB 4x2 TRADESMAN W BOX 6'4"
4.10 10,000 lbs 3,660 lbs 24,000 lbs 17,190 lbs Base 6,340 lbs Base F/R 3,561 lbs / 2,779 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN p.1
3.73 10,000 lbs 3,660 lbs 21,500 lbs 14,690 lbs Base 6,340 lbs Base F/R 3,561 lbs / 2,779 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN p.1
CREW CAB 4x2 TRADESMAN W BOX 8'0"
4.10 10,000 lbs 3,530 lbs 24,000 lbs 17,060 lbs Base 6,470 lbs Base F/R 3,685 lbs / 2,786 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN p.1
3.73 10,000 lbs 3,530 lbs 21,500 lbs 14,560 lbs Base 6,470 lbs Base F/R 3,685 lbs / 2,786 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN p.1
CREW CAB 4x2 TRADESMAN W RAMBOX 6'4"
4.10 10,000 lbs 3,540 lbs 24,000 lbs 17,070 lbs Base 6,456 lbs Base F/R 3,554 lbs / 2,903 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN p.1
3.73 10,000 lbs 3,540 lbs 21,500 lbs 14,570 lbs Base 6,456 lbs Base F/R 3,554 lbs / 2,903 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN p.1
CREW CAB 4x4 TRADESMAN PW W BOX 6'4"
4.10 8,565 lbs 1,630 lbs 18,000 lbs 10,590 lbs Base 6,939 lbs Base F/R 4,086 lbs / 2,853 lbs GAWR F/R 4,750 lbs / 6,200 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN PW p.1
CREW CAB 4x4 TRADESMAN PW W RAMBOX 6'4"
4.10 8,565 lbs 1,520 lbs 18,000 lbs 10,440 lbs Base 7,046 lbs Base F/R 4,087 lbs / 2,959 lbs GAWR F/R 4,750 lbs / 6,200 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN PW p.1
CREW CAB 4x4 TRADESMAN W BOX 6'4"
4.10 10,000 lbs 3,360 lbs 24,000 lbs 16,890 lbs Base 6,643 lbs Base F/R 3,845 lbs / 2,798 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN p.1
3.73 10,000 lbs 3,360 lbs 21,500 lbs 14,390 lbs Base 6,643 lbs Base F/R 3,845 lbs / 2,798 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN p.1
CREW CAB 4x4 TRADESMAN W BOX 8'0"
4.10 10,000 lbs 3,170 lbs 24,000 lbs 16,700 lbs Base 6,826 lbs Base F/R 3,996 lbs / 2,830 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN p.1
3.73 10,000 lbs 3,170 lbs 21,500 lbs 14,200 lbs Base 6,826 lbs Base F/R 3,996 lbs / 2,830 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN p.1
CREW CAB 4x4 TRADESMAN W RAMBOX 6'4"
4.10 10,000 lbs 3,230 lbs 24,000 lbs 16,760 lbs Base 6,766 lbs Base F/R 3,847 lbs / 2,920 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN p.1
3.73 10,000 lbs 3,230 lbs 21,500 lbs 14,260 lbs Base 6,766 lbs Base F/R 3,847 lbs / 2,920 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN p.1
MEGA CAB 4x4 BIG HORN W BOX 6'4"
4.10 10,000 lbs 2,940 lbs 24,000 lbs 16,460 lbs Base 7,061 lbs Base F/R 4,061 lbs / 3,000 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,390 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · BIG HORN p.1
3.73 10,000 lbs 2,940 lbs 21,500 lbs 13,970 lbs Base 7,061 lbs Base F/R 4,061 lbs / 3,000 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,390 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · BIG HORN p.1
MEGA CAB 4x4 BIG HORN W RAMBOX 6'4"
4.10 10,000 lbs 2,810 lbs 24,000 lbs 16,330 lbs Base 7,191 lbs Base F/R 4,073 lbs / 3,118 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,390 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · BIG HORN p.1
3.73 10,000 lbs 2,810 lbs 21,500 lbs 13,840 lbs Base 7,191 lbs Base F/R 4,073 lbs / 3,118 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,390 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · BIG HORN p.1
REGULAR CAB 4x2 TRADESMAN W BOX 8'0"
4.10 10,000 lbs 4,010 lbs 24,000 lbs 17,540 lbs Base 5,988 lbs Base F/R 3,401 lbs / 2,588 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN p.1
3.73 10,000 lbs 4,010 lbs 21,500 lbs 15,040 lbs Base 5,988 lbs Base F/R 3,401 lbs / 2,588 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN p.1
REGULAR CAB 4x4 TRADESMAN W BOX 8'0"
4.10 10,000 lbs 3,690 lbs 24,000 lbs 17,220 lbs Base 6,307 lbs Base F/R 3,686 lbs / 2,621 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN p.1
3.73 10,000 lbs 3,690 lbs 21,500 lbs 14,720 lbs Base 6,307 lbs Base F/R 3,686 lbs / 2,621 lbs GAWR F/R 5,500 lbs / 6,000 lbs 8-Spd Auto 8HP75-LCV · TRADESMAN p.1
POWERTRAIN

Towing Capacity by Engine

Your engine determines your base towing limit. Start here to see the 2021 ratings for your specific Ram 2500 setup.

Ram 2500 Diesel

14,560 - 20,000 lbs
Highest Capacity
6.7L I6 Cummins Diesel
Range: 14,560 - 20,000 lbs
Max rating 20,000 LBS

Ram 2500 Gas

10,440 - 17,540 lbs
Highest Capacity
6.4L V8 Gas MDS Engine
Range: 10,440 - 17,540 lbs
Max rating 17,540 LBS
TONGUE LOAD CONV / 5TH-WHEEL
10% / 15%
Conventional vs. 5th-wheel/gooseneck
TRAILERING HARDWARE EQUIPMENT WEIGHT
75 / 70 / 250 LBS
Conventional / gooseneck / 5th wheel
HITCH THRESHOLDS TRAILER LIMITS
23k / 30k LBS
5th-wheel / gooseneck required above this weight
RATING METHOD STANDARD
SAE J2807
Industry tow-rating standard
VIEW ALL FINE PRINT
GUIDE FINE PRINT

Ground rules behind every 2021 Ram 2500 towing number.

These ground rules define the payload, trailering hardware, and limits behind every 2021 Ram 2500 towing number on this page.

FIG. 2021 LOAD Baseline Weights

Weights Ram already counted in every number

  • Passenger weight: 300 lbs counted for driver + passengers.
  • Options weight: 100 lbs counted for factory-installed options.
  • Conventional tongue: 10% of gross trailer weight.
  • 5th-wheel / gooseneck tongue: 15% of gross trailer weight.
FIG. 2021 HITCH Hitch Loading

Hardware weight deducted from payload

  • Conventional hitch: 75 lbs of equipment weight.
  • Gooseneck: 70 lbs of equipment weight.
  • 5th wheel: 250 lbs of equipment weight.
FIG. 2021 CALC Payload Formula

How Ram derives payload from base weight

  • Formula: Payload = GVWR - Base Weight
  • Values: Published as estimated values.
  • Rounding: nearest 10 lbs.
FIG. 2021 LIMIT Commercial / Hitch Limits

Chassis-cab and heavy-trailer thresholds

  • Box-off completion: 80 lbs per foot from end of cab to end of frame.
  • 5th-wheel required over: 23,000 lbs trailer weight.
  • Gooseneck required over: 30,000 lbs trailer weight.
FIG. 2021 STD Rating Standard

SAE J2807 compliance

  • Trailer Weight Rating and Tow Vehicle Trailering Weight are calculated as specified in SAE J2807.
FIG. 2021 WARN Warnings

Manufacturer safety warnings

  • Payload and Trailer Weight Rating are mutually exclusive.
  • GAWRs, GVWRs and GCWRs should never be exceeded.
  • Payload and GAWR should never be exceeded and must account for all of the above weights, including the appropriate trailering equipment and tongue weight.
FIG. 2021 NOTES Policy Notes

All published notes from the 2021 towing guides

  • Payload and Max Trailer Weights are ESTIMATED values. p.3 · Diesel, Gas
  • All values are shown in pounds unless otherwise stated. p.3 · Diesel, Gas
  • Payload and Max Trailer Weight values are rounded to the nearest 10lb. p.3 · Diesel, Gas
  • Payload = GVWR - Base Weight p.3 · Diesel, Gas
  • Payload and Trailer Weight Rating are mutually exclusive. p.3 · Diesel, Gas
  • GAWRs, GVWRs and GCWRs should never be exceeded. p.3 · Diesel, Gas
  • Trailer Weight Rating and Tow Vehicle Trailering Weight are calculated as specified in SAE J2807. p.3 · Diesel, Gas
  • Passenger Weight = 300 lb p.3 · Diesel, Gas
  • Options Weight = 100 lb p.3 · Diesel, Gas
  • Trailering Equipment Weight: 75 lb for Conventional Hitch, 70 lb for Gooseneck and 250 lb for 5th Wheel. p.3 · Diesel, Gas
  • Tongue weight: 10 percent of the gross trailer weight for Conventional Hitch, 15 percent of the gross trailer weight for a 5th Wheel or Gooseneck hitch. p.3 · Diesel, Gas
  • Payload and GAWR should never be exceeded and must account for all of the above weights, including the appropriate trailering equipment and tongue weight. p.3 · Diesel, Gas
  • Box Off Body Completion Weight = 80 lb per foot from end of cab to end of frame p.3 · Diesel, Gas
  • A fifth-wheel hitch is required for trailers over 23,000 lbs. p.3 · Diesel, Gas
  • A Gooseneck hitch is required for trailers over 30,000 lbs. p.3 · Diesel, Gas
  • Maximum Capability p.3 · Diesel
NOTES: These ground rules apply to every published towing and payload value. Your specific truck configuration may have additional constraints.
Technical Audit

Data sources

These citations show the Ram guide pages used to build the 2021 Ram 2500 overview.

Show source pages for the 2021 guide and supplement gaps
About these numbers

2021 supplement PDFs aren't on this chart

Ram's separate 2021 supplement PDFs aren't included here — if your build depends on them, check your owner's manual or dealer before loading to the max.

DOC_ID: ram-2500 DOCUMENT BASIS

2021 Ram 2500 Diesel Towing Guide

Audit Scope PAGES: 1, 3
DOC_ID: ram-2500 DOCUMENT BASIS

2021 Ram 2500 Gas Towing Guide

Audit Scope PAGES: 1, 3