2016 RAM 2500 towing capacity
Trim-level maximum towing capacity — 10,770 – 11,040 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?
6 configurations
6 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 2016 RAM 2500 tow?
Across 6 configurations with published ratings, 2016 RAM 2500 towing capacity ranges from 10,770 lbs to 11,040 lbs. Exact capacity depends on configuration — not every 2016 RAM 2500 can tow the maximum value.
- Minimum published towing capacity in this dataset: 10,770 lbs
- Maximum published towing capacity in this dataset: 11,040 lbs
- Configurations with a towing rating: 6 of 6
Highest-rated example: Laramie · 4x2 · Mega Cab — 11,040 lbs
Lowest-rated example: SLT · 4x4 — 10,770 lbs
Highest towing configurations
Top configurations by published maximum trailer rating for the 2016 RAM 2500. Payload is shown only when present in the dataset.
| Trim | Cab | Drivetrain | Bed | Axle ratio | Max towing | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laramie | Mega Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.73 | 11,040 lbs | 2,210 lbs |
| Longhorn | Mega Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.73 | 11,040 lbs | 2,210 lbs |
| SLT | Mega Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.73 | 11,040 lbs | 2,210 lbs |
| Laramie | Mega Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.73 | 10,770 lbs | 1,950 lbs |
| Longhorn | Mega Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.73 | 10,770 lbs | 1,950 lbs |
| SLT | Mega Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.73 | 10,770 lbs | 1,950 lbs |
Towing capacity by drivetrain
2016 RAM 2500 4x2 towing capacity
Range: 11,040 lbs (median 11,040 lbs) across 3 configurations in this dataset.
2016 RAM 2500 4x4 towing capacity
Range: 10,770 lbs (median 10,770 lbs) across 3 configurations in this dataset.
Towing capacity by cab style
2016 RAM 2500 Mega Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 10,770 – 11,040 lbs (6 configurations).
Towing capacity by axle ratio
| Axle ratio | Towing range | Configurations |
|---|---|---|
| 3.73 | 10,770 – 11,040 lbs | 6 |
2016 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: 1,950 – 2,210 lbs
- Configurations with payload data: 6
Highest-payload configurations
- Laramie · 4x2 · Mega Cab — 2,210 lbs
- Longhorn · 4x2 · Mega Cab — 2,210 lbs
- SLT · 4x2 · Mega Cab — 2,210 lbs
- Laramie · 4x4 · Mega Cab — 1,950 lbs
- Longhorn · 4x4 · Mega Cab — 1,950 lbs
Quick configuration comparison
Observed towing ranges from the 2016 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 | 11,040 lbs | 3 |
| 4x4 | 10,770 lbs | 3 |
Why does towing capacity vary for this vehicle?
Towing ratings vary across configurations. These are configuration differences present in our dataset:
- Drivetrain: 4x2, 4x4
- Published towing range: 10,770 – 11,040 lbs
Compare this vehicle
Preselected: 2016 RAM 2500. Pick a second vehicle on the compare page.
Towing capacity by trim
| Trim | Max towing | Curb weight | Payload* | HP | Torque | Axle | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laramie 4x2 Mega Cab 160.5 in. WB | 11,040 lbs | 6,785 lbs | 2,210 lbs | 383 | 400 | 3.73 | 160.5 |
| Longhorn 4x2 Mega Cab 160.5 in. WB | 11,040 lbs | 6,785 lbs | 2,210 lbs | 383 | 400 | 3.73 | 160.5 |
| SLT 4x2 Mega Cab 160.5 in. WB | 11,040 lbs | 6,785 lbs | 2,210 lbs | 383 | 400 | 3.73 | 160.5 |
| Laramie 4x4 Mega Cab 160.5 in. WB | 10,770 lbs | 7,055 lbs | 1,950 lbs | 383 | 400 | 3.73 | 160.5 |
| Longhorn 4x4 Mega Cab 160.5 in. WB | 10,770 lbs | 7,055 lbs | 1,950 lbs | 383 | 400 | 3.73 | 160.5 |
| SLT 4x4 Mega Cab 160.5 in. WB | 10,770 lbs | 7,055 lbs | 1,950 lbs | 383 | 400 | 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.