2018 RAM 2500 towing capacity
Trim-level maximum towing capacity — 11,000 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?
4 configurations
4 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 2018 RAM 2500 tow?
In our dataset, 4 configurations list a maximum trailer rating of 11,000 lbs. Confirm the figure for your exact build.
- Minimum published towing capacity in this dataset: 11,000 lbs
- Maximum published towing capacity in this dataset: 11,000 lbs
- Configurations with a towing rating: 4 of 4
Highest-rated example: SLT · 4x2 · Regular Cab — 11,000 lbs
Lowest-rated example: Tradesman · 4x4 — 11,000 lbs
Highest towing configurations
Top configurations by published maximum trailer rating for the 2018 RAM 2500. Payload is shown only when present in the dataset.
| Trim | Cab | Drivetrain | Bed | Axle ratio | Max towing | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLT | Regular Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.73 | 11,000 lbs | 2,940 lbs |
| SLT | Regular Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.73 | 11,000 lbs | 2,560 lbs |
| Tradesman | Regular Cab | 4x2 | — | 3.73 | 11,000 lbs | 3,060 lbs |
| Tradesman | Regular Cab | 4x4 | — | 3.73 | 11,000 lbs | 2,680 lbs |
Towing capacity by drivetrain
2018 RAM 2500 4x2 towing capacity
Range: 11,000 lbs (median 11,000 lbs) across 2 configurations in this dataset.
2018 RAM 2500 4x4 towing capacity
Range: 11,000 lbs (median 11,000 lbs) across 2 configurations in this dataset.
Towing capacity by cab style
2018 RAM 2500 Regular Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 11,000 lbs (4 configurations).
Towing capacity by axle ratio
| Axle ratio | Towing range | Configurations |
|---|---|---|
| 3.73 | 11,000 lbs | 4 |
2018 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: 2,560 – 3,060 lbs
- Configurations with payload data: 4
Highest-payload configurations
- Tradesman · 4x2 · Regular Cab — 3,060 lbs
- SLT · 4x2 · Regular Cab — 2,940 lbs
- Tradesman · 4x4 · Regular Cab — 2,680 lbs
- SLT · 4x4 · Regular Cab — 2,560 lbs
Quick configuration comparison
Observed towing ranges from the 2018 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 | 11,000 lbs | 2 |
| 4x4 | 11,000 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
- Published towing range: 11,000 lbs
Compare this vehicle
Preselected: 2018 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 4x2 Regular Cab 140.5 in. WB | 11,000 lbs | 6,059 lbs | 2,940 lbs | 383 | 400 | 3.73 | 140.5 |
| SLT 4x4 Regular Cab 140.5 in. WB | 11,000 lbs | 6,436 lbs | 2,560 lbs | 383 | 400 | 3.73 | 140.5 |
| Tradesman 4x2 Regular Cab 140.5 in. WB | 11,000 lbs | 5,940 lbs | 3,060 lbs | 383 | 400 | 3.73 | 140.5 |
| Tradesman 4x4 Regular Cab 140.5 in. WB | 11,000 lbs | 6,321 lbs | 2,680 lbs | 383 | 400 | 3.73 | 140.5 |
* 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.