2021 Ram 2500 towing capacity.

The published 2021 Ram 2500 towing rows surfaced here run from 10,440 - 20,000 lbs depending on engine, cab, axle ratio, box variant, drivetrain, GVWR, and GCWR.

Find exact row Open the 2021 exact-row finder → Compare engine families View 2021 powertrain matrix → View full comparison chart Open 2021 full chart →

Built from the official Ram 2021 towing guide pages used for this published surface. Citations available below.

Coverage Contract

Reviewed served surface

This public year page stays on the reviewed served surface: US-only exact rows plus the reviewed document-level policy strip for the served profiles.

TONGUE LOAD CONVENTIONAL / HD

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 over this

RATING METHOD STANDARD

SAE J2807

Document-level towing policy

VIEW ALL GUIDE ASSUMPTIONS

GUIDE FINE PRINT

Calculation assumptions for the 2021 Ram 2500 guide.

These note blocks define the published payload, trailering hardware, and limit notes that govern every row in the supported 2021 Ram 2500 towing charts.

 FIG. 2021 LOAD Weight Assumptions Pre-loaded weights baked into the chart  Passenger weight:   300 lbs assumed occupant weight.
 Options weight:   100 lbs assumed 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 WARNWarningsManufacturer 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 STD Rating Standard

SAE J2807 compliance

Trailer Weight Rating and Tow Vehicle Trailering Weight are calculated as specified in SAE J2807.

FIG. 2021 WARNWarningsManufacturer 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
All values are shown in pounds unless otherwise stated. p.3 · Diesel
Payload and Max Trailer Weight values are rounded to the nearest 10lb. p.3 · Diesel
Payload = GVWR - Base Weight p.3 · Diesel
Payload and Trailer Weight Rating are mutually exclusive. p.3 · Diesel
GAWRs, GVWRs and GCWRs should never be exceeded. p.3 · Diesel
Trailer Weight Rating and Tow Vehicle Trailering Weight are calculated as specified in SAE J2807. p.3 · Diesel
Passenger Weight = 300 lb p.3 · Diesel
Options Weight = 100 lb p.3 · Diesel
Trailering Equipment Weight: 75 lb for Conventional Hitch, 70 lb for Gooseneck and 250 lb for 5th Wheel. p.3 · Diesel
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
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
Box Off Body Completion Weight = 80 lb per foot from end of cab to end of fram p.3 · Diesel
A fifth-wheel hitch is required for trailers over 23,000 lbs. p.3 · Diesel
A Gooseneck hitch is required for trailers over 30,000 lbs. p.3 · Diesel
Maximum Capability p.3 · Diesel