2012 RAM 1500 towing capacity
Trim-level maximum towing capacity — 3,450 – 11,500 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?
29 configurations
29 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 2012 RAM 1500 tow?
Across 29 configurations with published ratings, 2012 RAM 1500 towing capacity ranges from 3,450 lbs to 11,500 lbs. Exact capacity depends on configuration — not every 2012 RAM 1500 can tow the maximum value.
- Minimum published towing capacity in this dataset: 3,450 lbs
- Maximum published towing capacity in this dataset: 11,500 lbs
- Configurations with a towing rating: 29 of 29
Highest-rated example: Tradesman Heavy Duty · 4x2 · Regular Cab — 11,500 lbs
Lowest-rated example: ST · 4x2 — 3,450 lbs
Highest towing configurations
Top configurations by published maximum trailer rating for the 2012 RAM 1500. Payload is shown only when present in the dataset.
| Trim | Cab | Drivetrain | Bed | Axle ratio | Max towing | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tradesman Heavy Duty | Regular Cab | 4x2 | — | 4.10 | 11,500 lbs | 3,125 lbs |
| Sport | Regular Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.55 | 8,800 lbs | 1,345 lbs |
| Sport | Quad Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.55 | 8,600 lbs | 1,486 lbs |
| Laramie | Quad Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.55 | 8,550 lbs | 1,431 lbs |
| Sport | Crew Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.55 | 8,550 lbs | 1,527 lbs |
| Laramie | Crew Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.55 | 8,450 lbs | 1,450 lbs |
| Sport | Quad Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.55 | 8,450 lbs | 1,317 lbs |
| Laramie | Quad Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.55 | 8,350 lbs | 1,229 lbs |
| Sport | Crew Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.55 | 8,350 lbs | 1,322 lbs |
| Laramie | Crew Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.55 | 8,300 lbs | 1,278 lbs |
Towing capacity by drivetrain
2012 RAM 1500 4x2 towing capacity
Range: 3,450 – 11,500 lbs (median 6,250 lbs) across 15 configurations in this dataset.
2012 RAM 1500 4x4 towing capacity
Range: 5,800 – 8,800 lbs (median 6,200 lbs) across 14 configurations in this dataset.
Towing capacity by cab style
2012 RAM 1500 Crew Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 5,800 – 8,550 lbs (10 configurations).
2012 RAM 1500 Quad Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 3,450 – 8,600 lbs (8 configurations).
2012 RAM 1500 Regular Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 3,650 – 11,500 lbs (11 configurations).
Towing capacity by axle ratio
| Axle ratio | Towing range | Configurations |
|---|---|---|
| 3.55 | 3,450 – 8,800 lbs | 27 |
| 4.10 | 5,050 – 11,500 lbs | 2 |
2012 RAM 1500 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: 1,146 – 3,125 lbs
- Configurations with payload data: 29
Highest-payload configurations
- Tradesman Heavy Duty · 4x2 · Regular Cab — 3,125 lbs
- ST · 4x2 · Regular Cab — 1,909 lbs
- ST · 4x2 · Quad Cab — 1,810 lbs
- SLT · 4x2 · Regular Cab — 1,772 lbs
- ST · 4x2 · Crew Cab — 1,717 lbs
Quick configuration comparison
Observed towing ranges from the 2012 RAM 1500 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 | 3,450 – 11,500 lbs | 15 |
| 4x4 | 5,800 – 8,800 lbs | 14 |
Cab styles
| Cab | Towing range | Configs |
|---|---|---|
| Crew Cab | 5,800 – 8,550 lbs | 10 |
| Quad Cab | 3,450 – 8,600 lbs | 8 |
| Regular Cab | 3,650 – 11,500 lbs | 11 |
Axle ratios
| Axle | Towing range | Median | Configs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.55 | 3,450 – 8,800 lbs | 6,200 lbs | 27 |
| 4.10 | 5,050 – 11,500 lbs | 8,275 lbs | 2 |
Why does towing capacity vary for this vehicle?
Towing ratings vary across configurations. These are configuration differences present in our dataset:
- Drivetrain: 4x2, 4x4
- Axle ratios: 3.55, 4.10
- Cab styles: Crew Cab, Quad Cab, Regular Cab
- Published towing range: 3,450 – 11,500 lbs
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Towing capacity by trim
| Trim | Max towing | Curb weight | Payload* | HP | Torque | Axle | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tradesman Heavy Duty 4x2 Regular Cab 140 in. WB | 11,500 lbs | 5,485 lbs | 3,125 lbs | 383 | 400 | 4.10 | 140.0 |
| Sport 4x4 Regular Cab 120 in. WB | 8,800 lbs | 5,005 lbs | 1,345 lbs | 390 | 407 | 3.55 | 120.0 |
| Sport 4x2 Quad Cab 140 in. WB | 8,600 lbs | 5,214 lbs | 1,486 lbs | 390 | 407 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| Laramie 4x2 Quad Cab 140 in. WB | 8,550 lbs | 5,269 lbs | 1,431 lbs | 390 | 407 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| Sport 4x2 Crew Cab 140 in. WB | 8,550 lbs | 5,273 lbs | 1,527 lbs | 390 | 407 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| Laramie 4x2 Crew Cab 140 in. WB | 8,450 lbs | 5,350 lbs | 1,450 lbs | 390 | 407 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| Sport 4x4 Quad Cab 140 in. WB | 8,450 lbs | 5,383 lbs | 1,317 lbs | 390 | 407 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| Laramie 4x4 Quad Cab 140 in. WB | 8,350 lbs | 5,471 lbs | 1,229 lbs | 390 | 407 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| Sport 4x4 Crew Cab 140 in. WB | 8,350 lbs | 5,478 lbs | 1,322 lbs | 390 | 407 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| Laramie 4x4 Crew Cab 140 in. WB | 8,300 lbs | 5,522 lbs | 1,278 lbs | 390 | 407 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| Laramie Longhorn/Limited Edition 4x2 Crew Cab 140 in. WB | 8,300 lbs | 5,527 lbs | 1,273 lbs | 390 | 407 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| Laramie Longhorn/Limited Edition 4x4 Crew Cab 140 in. WB | 8,150 lbs | 5,654 lbs | 1,146 lbs | 390 | 407 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| SLT 4x2 Regular Cab 120 in. WB | 6,450 lbs | 4,642 lbs | 1,383 lbs | 310 | 330 | 3.55 | 120.0 |
| SLT 4x2 Regular Cab 140 in. WB | 6,250 lbs | 4,828 lbs | 1,772 lbs | 310 | 330 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| SLT 4x4 Regular Cab 120 in. WB | 6,200 lbs | 4,867 lbs | 1,483 lbs | 310 | 330 | 3.55 | 120.0 |
| ST 4x4 Regular Cab 120 in. WB | 6,200 lbs | 4,866 lbs | 1,484 lbs | 310 | 330 | 3.55 | 120.0 |
| SLT 4x2 Quad Cab 140 in. WB | 6,050 lbs | 5,032 lbs | 1,668 lbs | 310 | 330 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| SLT 4x4 Quad Cab 140 in. WB | 6,050 lbs | 5,209 lbs | 1,491 lbs | 310 | 330 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| SLT 4x4 Regular Cab 140 in. WB | 6,050 lbs | 5,033 lbs | 1,567 lbs | 310 | 330 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| ST 4x4 Quad Cab 140 in. WB | 6,050 lbs | 5,203 lbs | 1,497 lbs | 310 | 330 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| ST 4x4 Regular Cab 140 in. WB | 6,050 lbs | 5,032 lbs | 1,568 lbs | 310 | 330 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| SLT 4x2 Crew Cab 140 in. WB | 6,000 lbs | 5,086 lbs | 1,714 lbs | 310 | 330 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| ST 4x2 Crew Cab 140 in. WB | 6,000 lbs | 5,083 lbs | 1,717 lbs | 310 | 330 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| SLT 4x4 Crew Cab 140 in. WB | 5,800 lbs | 5,260 lbs | 1,540 lbs | 310 | 330 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| ST 4x4 Crew Cab 140 in. WB | 5,800 lbs | 5,257 lbs | 1,543 lbs | 310 | 330 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| R/T 4x2 Regular Cab 120 in. WB | 5,050 lbs | 4,788 lbs | 1,412 lbs | 390 | 407 | 4.10 | 120.0 |
| ST 4x2 Regular Cab 120 in. WB | 3,800 lbs | 4,518 lbs | 1,507 lbs | 215 | 235 | 3.55 | 120.0 |
| ST 4x2 Regular Cab 140 in. WB | 3,650 lbs | 4,691 lbs | 1,909 lbs | 215 | 235 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
| ST 4x2 Quad Cab 140 in. WB | 3,450 lbs | 4,890 lbs | 1,810 lbs | 215 | 235 | 3.55 | 140.0 |
* 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.