2021 RAM 3500 towing capacity
Trim-level maximum towing capacity — 13,000 – 14,000 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?
28 configurations
28 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 2021 RAM 3500 tow?
Across 28 configurations with published ratings, 2021 RAM 3500 towing capacity ranges from 13,000 lbs to 14,000 lbs. Exact capacity depends on configuration — not every 2021 RAM 3500 can tow the maximum value.
- Minimum published towing capacity in this dataset: 13,000 lbs
- Maximum published towing capacity in this dataset: 14,000 lbs
- Configurations with a towing rating: 28 of 28
Highest-rated example: Big Horn · 4x2 · Crew Cab — 14,000 lbs
Lowest-rated example: Longhorn · 4x4 — 13,000 lbs
Highest towing configurations
Top configurations by published maximum trailer rating for the 2021 RAM 3500. Payload is shown only when present in the dataset.
| Trim | Cab | Drivetrain | Bed | Axle ratio | Max towing | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Horn | Crew Cab | 4x2 | 6.3 ft | 3.73 | 14,000 lbs | 4,215 lbs |
| Big Horn | Crew Cab | 4x2 | 8 ft | 3.73 | 14,000 lbs | 4,535 lbs |
| Big Horn | Regular Cab | 4x2 | 8 ft | 3.73 | 14,000 lbs | 4,640 lbs |
| Big Horn | Crew Cab | 4x4 | 6.3 ft | 3.73 | 14,000 lbs | 4,227 lbs |
| Big Horn | Regular Cab | 4x4 | 8 ft | 3.73 | 14,000 lbs | 4,598 lbs |
| Laramie | Crew Cab | 4x2 | 6.3 ft | 3.73 | 14,000 lbs | 4,155 lbs |
| Laramie | Crew Cab | 4x2 | 8 ft | 3.73 | 14,000 lbs | 4,484 lbs |
| Laramie | Crew Cab | 4x4 | 6.3 ft | 3.73 | 14,000 lbs | 4,150 lbs |
| Limited | Crew Cab | 4x2 | 6.3 ft | 3.73 | 14,000 lbs | 3,832 lbs |
| Limited | Crew Cab | 4x2 | 8 ft | 3.73 | 14,000 lbs | 4,243 lbs |
Towing capacity by drivetrain
2021 RAM 3500 4x2 towing capacity
Range: 14,000 lbs (median 14,000 lbs) across 12 configurations in this dataset.
2021 RAM 3500 4x4 towing capacity
Range: 13,000 – 14,000 lbs (median 13,000 lbs) across 16 configurations in this dataset.
Towing capacity by cab style
2021 RAM 3500 Crew Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 13,000 – 14,000 lbs (20 configurations).
2021 RAM 3500 Mega Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 13,000 lbs (4 configurations).
2021 RAM 3500 Regular Cab towing capacity
Observed range: 14,000 lbs (4 configurations).
Towing capacity by axle ratio
| Axle ratio | Towing range | Configurations |
|---|---|---|
| 3.73 | 13,000 – 14,000 lbs | 28 |
2021 RAM 3500 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: 3,745 – 4,644 lbs
- Configurations with payload data: 28
Highest-payload configurations
- Tradesman · 4x2 · Regular Cab — 4,644 lbs
- Big Horn · 4x2 · Regular Cab — 4,640 lbs
- Big Horn · 4x4 · Regular Cab — 4,598 lbs
- Tradesman · 4x4 · Regular Cab — 4,593 lbs
- Big Horn · 4x2 · Crew Cab — 4,535 lbs
Quick configuration comparison
Observed towing ranges from the 2021 RAM 3500 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 | 14,000 lbs | 12 |
| 4x4 | 13,000 – 14,000 lbs | 16 |
Cab styles
| Cab | Towing range | Configs |
|---|---|---|
| Crew Cab | 13,000 – 14,000 lbs | 20 |
| Mega Cab | 13,000 lbs | 4 |
| Regular Cab | 14,000 lbs | 4 |
Bed lengths
| Bed | Towing range | Configs |
|---|---|---|
| 6.3 ft | 13,000 – 14,000 lbs | 14 |
| 8 ft | 13,000 – 14,000 lbs | 14 |
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: Crew Cab, Mega Cab, Regular Cab
- Bed lengths: 6.3 ft, 8 ft
- Published towing range: 13,000 – 14,000 lbs
Compare this vehicle
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Towing capacity by trim
| Trim | Max towing | Curb weight | Payload* | HP | Torque | Axle | Wheelbase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Horn 4x2 Crew Cab 6.3 ft. box 149.5 in. WB SRW | 14,000 lbs | 6,485 lbs | 4,215 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 149.5 |
| Big Horn 4x2 Crew Cab 8 ft. box 169.5 in. WB | 14,000 lbs | 6,565 lbs | 4,535 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 169.5 |
| Big Horn 4x2 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 140 in. WB | 14,000 lbs | 6,060 lbs | 4,640 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 140.0 |
| Big Horn 4x4 Crew Cab 6.3 ft. box 149.5 in. WB SRW | 14,000 lbs | 6,773 lbs | 4,227 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 149.5 |
| Big Horn 4x4 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 140 in. WB | 14,000 lbs | 6,402 lbs | 4,598 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 140.0 |
| Laramie 4x2 Crew Cab 6.3 ft. box 149.5 in. WB SRW | 14,000 lbs | 6,545 lbs | 4,155 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 149.5 |
| Laramie 4x2 Crew Cab 8 ft. box 169.5 in. WB | 14,000 lbs | 6,616 lbs | 4,484 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 169.5 |
| Laramie 4x4 Crew Cab 6.3 ft. box 149.5 in. WB SRW | 14,000 lbs | 6,850 lbs | 4,150 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 149.5 |
| Limited 4x2 Crew Cab 6.3 ft. box 149.5 in. WB SRW | 14,000 lbs | 6,868 lbs | 3,832 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 149.5 |
| Limited 4x2 Crew Cab 8 ft. box 169.5 in. WB | 14,000 lbs | 6,857 lbs | 4,243 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 169.5 |
| Longhorn 4x2 Crew Cab 6.3 ft. box 149.5 in. WB SRW | 14,000 lbs | 6,622 lbs | 4,078 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 149.5 |
| Longhorn 4x2 Crew Cab 8 ft. box 169.5 in. WB | 14,000 lbs | 6,800 lbs | 4,300 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 169.5 |
| Longhorn 4x4 Crew Cab 6.3 ft. box 149.5 in. WB SRW | 14,000 lbs | 7,009 lbs | 3,991 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 149.5 |
| Tradesman 4x2 Crew Cab 6.3 ft. box 149.5 in. WB SRW | 14,000 lbs | 6,424 lbs | 4,276 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 149.5 |
| Tradesman 4x2 Crew Cab 8 ft. box 169.5 in. WB | 14,000 lbs | 6,593 lbs | 4,507 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 169.5 |
| Tradesman 4x2 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 140 in. WB | 14,000 lbs | 6,056 lbs | 4,644 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 140.0 |
| Tradesman 4x4 Crew Cab 6.3 ft. box 149.5 in. WB SRW | 14,000 lbs | 6,746 lbs | 4,254 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 149.5 |
| Tradesman 4x4 Crew Cab 8 ft. box 169.5 in. WB | 14,000 lbs | 6,953 lbs | 4,447 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 169.5 |
| Tradesman 4x4 Regular Cab 8 ft. box 140 in. WB | 14,000 lbs | 6,407 lbs | 4,593 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 140.0 |
| Big Horn 4x4 Crew Cab 8 ft. box 169.5 in. WB | 13,000 lbs | 6,937 lbs | 4,463 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 169.5 |
| Big Horn 4x4 Mega Cab 6.3 ft. box 160.5 in. WB | 13,000 lbs | 7,063 lbs | 4,337 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 160.5 |
| Laramie 4x4 Crew Cab 8 ft. box 169.5 in. WB | 13,000 lbs | 7,042 lbs | 4,358 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 169.5 |
| Laramie 4x4 Mega Cab 6.3 ft. box 160.5 in. WB | 13,000 lbs | 7,177 lbs | 4,223 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 160.5 |
| Limited 4x4 Crew Cab 6.3 ft. box 149.5 in. WB SRW | 13,000 lbs | 7,255 lbs | 3,745 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 149.5 |
| Limited 4x4 Crew Cab 8 ft. box 169.5 in. WB | 13,000 lbs | 7,247 lbs | 4,153 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 169.5 |
| Limited 4x4 Mega Cab 6.3 ft. box 160.5 in. WB | 13,000 lbs | 7,536 lbs | 3,864 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 160.5 |
| Longhorn 4x4 Crew Cab 8 ft. box 169.5 in. WB | 13,000 lbs | 7,190 lbs | 4,210 lbs | 410 | 429 | 3.73 | 169.5 |
| Longhorn 4x4 Mega Cab 6.3 ft. box 160.5 in. WB | 13,000 lbs | 7,252 lbs | 4,148 lbs | 410 | 429 | 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.