Makes · Dodge · Dodge Ram 2500
2004 Dodge Ram 2500 towing capacity
Trim-level maximum towing capacity — 8,600 – 9,400 lbs across packages. Exact capacity depends on configuration. Payload is separate from towing capacity and is shown where GVWR and curb weight (or manufacturer payload) exist.
Tow Planner
Select your exact configuration and tell us what you're towing. We'll compare trailer weight, payload, tongue weight and the available vehicle limits. Year-level towing and payload answers below are available without selecting a configuration.
Which configuration do you have?
12 configurations
12 possible configurations match your selections.
What are you trying to do?
Choose a job to open interactive tools. Year-level towing and payload answers appear below even before you pick a configuration.
What can a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 tow?
Across 12 configurations with published ratings, 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 towing capacity ranges from 8,600 lbs to 9,400 lbs. Exact capacity depends on configuration — not every 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 can tow the maximum value.
- Minimum published towing capacity in this dataset: 8,600 lbs
- Maximum published towing capacity in this dataset: 9,400 lbs
- Configurations with a towing rating: 12 of 12
Highest-rated example: SLT/Laramie · 4x2 · Regular Cab — 9,400 lbs
Lowest-rated example: SLT/Laramie · 4x4 — 8,600 lbs
Highest towing configurations
Top configurations by published maximum trailer rating for the 2004 Dodge Ram 2500. Payload is shown only when present in the dataset.
| Trim | Cab | Drivetrain | Bed | Axle ratio | Max towing | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLT/Laramie | Regular Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.73 | 9,400 lbs | 3,200 lbs |
| ST | Regular Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.73 | 9,400 lbs | 3,200 lbs |
| SLT/Laramie | Quad Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.73 | 9,150 lbs | 3,110 lbs |
| ST | Quad Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.73 | 9,150 lbs | 3,120 lbs |
| SLT/Laramie | Quad Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.73 | 9,050 lbs | 3,000 lbs |
| ST | Quad Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.73 | 9,050 lbs | 3,020 lbs |
| ST | Regular Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.73 | 9,000 lbs | 2,790 lbs |
| SLT/Laramie | Regular Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.73 | 8,950 lbs | 2,770 lbs |
| SLT/Laramie | Quad Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.73 | 8,750 lbs | 2,690 lbs |
| ST | Quad Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.73 | 8,750 lbs | 2,720 lbs |
Towing capacity by drivetrain
2004 Dodge Ram 2500 4x2 towing capacity
Range: 9,050 – 9,400 lbs (median 9,150 lbs) across 6 configurations in this dataset.
2004 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 towing capacity
Range: 8,600 – 9,000 lbs (median 8,750 lbs) across 6 configurations in this dataset.
Towing capacity by cab style
2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 8,600 – 9,150 lbs (8 configurations).
2004 Dodge Ram 2500 Regular Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 8,950 – 9,400 lbs (4 configurations).
Towing capacity by axle ratio
| Axle ratio | Towing range | Configurations |
|---|---|---|
| 3.73 | 8,600 – 9,400 lbs | 12 |
2004 Dodge Ram 2500 payload capacity
Payload is not the same as towing capacity. Where both GVWR and curb weight exist in the catalog, payload is GVWR minus curb weight (or the manufacturer payload field when present). Payload covers people, cargo in the truck, hitch equipment, and trailer tongue weight — not the full trailer weight.
- Observed payload range: 2,550 – 3,200 lbs
- Configurations with payload data: 12
Highest-payload configurations
- SLT/Laramie · 4x2 · Regular Cab — 3,200 lbs
- ST · 4x2 · Regular Cab — 3,200 lbs
- ST · 4x2 · Quad Cab — 3,120 lbs
- SLT/Laramie · 4x2 · Quad Cab — 3,110 lbs
- ST · 4x2 · Quad Cab — 3,020 lbs
Quick configuration comparison
Observed towing ranges from the 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 dataset. Values are min–max of published ratings in each group — not a claim that every unit in the group can tow the top figure.
Drivetrain
| Drivetrain | Towing range | Configs |
|---|---|---|
| 4x2 | 9,050 – 9,400 lbs | 6 |
| 4x4 | 8,600 – 9,000 lbs | 6 |
Cab styles
| Cab | Towing range | Configs |
|---|---|---|
| Quad Cab | 8,600 – 9,150 lbs | 8 |
| Regular Cab | 8,950 – 9,400 lbs | 4 |
Why does towing capacity vary for this vehicle?
Towing ratings vary across configurations. These are configuration differences present in our dataset:
- Drivetrain: 4x2, 4x4
- Cab styles: Quad Cab, Regular Cab
- Published towing range: 8,600 – 9,400 lbs
Compare this vehicle
Preselected: 2004 Dodge Ram 2500. Pick a second vehicle on the compare page.
Towing capacity by trim
| Trim | Max towing | Curb weight | Payload* | HP | Torque | Axle | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLT/Laramie 4x2 Regular Cab 140.5 in. WB | 9,400 lbs | 5,452 lbs | 3,200 lbs | 345 | 375 | 3.73 | 140.5 |
| ST 4x2 Regular Cab 140.5 in. WB | 9,400 lbs | 5,446 lbs | 3,200 lbs | 345 | 375 | 3.73 | 140.5 |
| SLT/Laramie 4x2 Quad Cab 140.5 in. WB | 9,150 lbs | 5,692 lbs | 3,110 lbs | 345 | 375 | 3.73 | 140.5 |
| ST 4x2 Quad Cab 140.5 in. WB | 9,150 lbs | 5,678 lbs | 3,120 lbs | 345 | 375 | 3.73 | 140.5 |
| SLT/Laramie 4x2 Quad Cab 160.5 in. WB | 9,050 lbs | 5,804 lbs | 3,000 lbs | 345 | 375 | 3.73 | 160.5 |
| ST 4x2 Quad Cab 160.5 in. WB | 9,050 lbs | 5,776 lbs | 3,020 lbs | 345 | 375 | 3.73 | 160.5 |
| ST 4x4 Regular Cab 140.5 in. WB | 9,000 lbs | 5,865 lbs | 2,790 lbs | 345 | 375 | 3.73 | 140.5 |
| SLT/Laramie 4x4 Regular Cab 140.5 in. WB | 8,950 lbs | 5,881 lbs | 2,770 lbs | 345 | 375 | 3.73 | 140.5 |
| SLT/Laramie 4x4 Quad Cab 140.5 in. WB | 8,750 lbs | 6,109 lbs | 2,690 lbs | 345 | 375 | 3.73 | 140.5 |
| ST 4x4 Quad Cab 140.5 in. WB | 8,750 lbs | 6,076 lbs | 2,720 lbs | 345 | 375 | 3.73 | 140.5 |
| ST 4x4 Quad Cab 160.5 in. WB | 8,650 lbs | 6,202 lbs | 2,600 lbs | 345 | 375 | 3.73 | 160.5 |
| SLT/Laramie 4x4 Quad Cab 160.5 in. WB | 8,600 lbs | 6,248 lbs | 2,550 lbs | 345 | 375 | 3.73 | 160.5 |
* Payload = manufacturer payload when present, otherwise GVWR − curb weight. Towing capacity is a separate rating and is not the same as payload.
What affects the rating
Higher figures usually need the tow package, the right axle ratio, and enough cooling. Passengers, fuel, gear, and tongue weight all eat into what you can safely pull — stay under both the trailer rating and the vehicle’s payload.