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Ram 1500 Towing Guide | Terrace, BC
2026 Ram 1500 Towing Capacity Guide
How much can the 2026 Ram 1500 tow, and which engine and setup do you need to pull your trailer or boat safely up here? Here is the plain-language guide - by engine, by configuration, and how to read a tow rating so you buy right.
The 2026 Ram 1500 towing along Highway 16, available at Terrace Chrysler.
Quick answer: Properly equipped, the 2026 Ram 1500 tows up to about 11,610 lb and carries payload up to roughly 2,300 lb. The highest tow ratings come with the 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo six and the right axle ratio; the 5.7L HEMI V8 and 3.6L V6 tow less but still handle most trailers. Your real number depends on engine, cab, box, drivetrain, axle ratio and hitch type - always confirm the rating for the exact truck before you hook up.
11,610
lb max towing (properly equipped)
2,300
lb max payload (approx.)
4
engine choices to match your load
8-spd
automatic with tow/haul mode
Ram 1500 towing capacity by engine
Quick answer: The 3.0L Hurricane engines earn the Ram 1500's highest tow ratings (up to about 11,610 lb properly equipped). The 5.7L HEMI V8 tows strongly for most half-ton jobs, and the 3.6L V6 covers lighter trailers. The exact maximum depends on how the truck is configured.
Peak horsepower is not what tows a trailer - torque, gearing and configuration are. Here is how the engines line up. Treat these as maximums for properly equipped trucks; the number on your specific truck can be lower depending on options and axle ratio.
| Engine | Torque | Towing role |
|---|
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 (eTorque) | 271 lb-ft | Lighter trailers and daily-driver duty; the value setup |
| 5.7L HEMI V8 (eTorque) | 410 lb-ft | Strong for most half-ton towing - quads, utility trailers, smaller boats and campers |
| 3.0L Hurricane - Standard Output | 469 lb-ft | The tow sweet spot; earns the highest ratings with the right axle |
| 3.0L Hurricane - High Output | 521 lb-ft | Maximum output (Ram 1500 RHO), strong pull with off-road focus |
Want help deciding between the V8 and the six for towing specifically? See our HEMI vs Hurricane comparison.
Payload matters too (and it is not the same as towing)
Quick answer: Payload is everything you put in the truck - passengers, gear, and the tongue or pin weight of your trailer - up to about 2,300 lb properly equipped. Towing capacity is what you pull behind it. You have to stay within both, and a heavy trailer eats into payload through its tongue weight.
People focus on the tow number and forget payload, but payload is what quietly limits real-world towing. A conventional trailer puts roughly 10 to 15 percent of its weight on the hitch as tongue weight, and that counts against payload along with your passengers and cargo. If you load up the cab and bed and then add a heavy trailer tongue, you can hit the payload ceiling well before the tow ceiling. We size both to your real use so you are legal and safe, not just impressive on paper.
Launching at Lakelse Lake - the 2026 Ram 1500 matched to the trailer and the ramp.
What changes your tow rating: axle, cab, box and hitch
Axle ratio
A numerically higher rear axle ratio raises tow capacity. Trucks optioned for maximum towing use the tow-friendly axle - it is often the difference of thousands of pounds.
Cab and box
Crew Cab and longer boxes add weight and change wheelbase, which shifts both tow and payload ratings versus a Quad Cab. See our cab and bed guide.
Drivetrain
4x4 adds capability and weight; 4x2 can carry a slightly higher rating in some configs. We match this to how and where you drive.
Hitch type
Use a properly rated hitch and, for heavier conventional loads, a weight-distributing hitch. The hitch and receiver rating can cap you below the truck's number.
How to read a tow rating (and not over-buy or under-buy)
The advertised maximum is a best-case number for one specific configuration. The honest way to shop is to work backward from your trailer. Start with your trailer's loaded weight (not its empty or dry weight - add cargo, water and gear), add a safety margin, and make sure both the tow rating and the payload rating of the exact truck cover it with room to spare. Running a truck near 100 percent of its rating all the time is hard on it and on you; leaving margin makes towing calmer, safer and easier on the drivetrain, especially on the grades around the Northwest.
Bring us your trailer details. Tell us the loaded weight and hitch type, and we will match you to the right 2026 Ram 1500 engine, axle and configuration - and confirm the exact rating for that build before you commit.
Towing technology that helps up here
Tow/Haul mode
Sharpens shift timing and adds engine braking on descents - genuinely useful on the long downhills between Terrace and the Interior.
Integrated trailer brake
An available integrated trailer brake controller gives smooth, adjustable braking for trailers with electric brakes.
Camera views
Available surround and trailer camera views make hooking up and backing far less stressful, solo.
Trailer tools
Trailer-reverse steering assist and trailer-aware blind-spot monitoring help when maneuvering a longer load.
Ram 1500 towing FAQs
How much can a 2026 Ram 1500 tow?
Properly equipped, the 2026 Ram 1500 tows up to about 11,610 lb. The highest ratings come with the 3.0L Hurricane engine and the tow-friendly axle ratio. The exact maximum depends on engine, cab, box, drivetrain, axle ratio and hitch type, so confirm the rating for the specific truck.
What is the payload capacity of the 2026 Ram 1500?
Maximum payload is up to roughly 2,300 lb, properly equipped. Payload includes passengers, cargo and trailer tongue or pin weight, so a heavy trailer reduces how much you can carry inside. Both the tow and payload limits must be respected.
Which Ram 1500 engine tows the most?
The 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six earns the Ram 1500's highest tow ratings thanks to its high, low-end torque. The 5.7L HEMI V8 tows well for most half-ton jobs, and the 3.6L V6 is best for lighter trailers.
Can a Ram 1500 tow a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer?
Larger fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers are usually better matched to a heavy-duty truck like the Ram 2500 or 3500. The Ram 1500 is built for conventional (bumper-pull) towing. If your trailer is heavy, ask us about stepping up to a Ram HD.
Do I need 4x4 to tow with a Ram 1500?
No - both 4x2 and 4x4 Ram 1500s tow well, and 4x2 can carry a slightly higher rating in some configurations. Up here, most buyers choose 4x4 for winter and gravel-road traction, then match the axle ratio for towing. We will help you balance the two.
Let us match a Ram 1500 to your trailer
Bring your trailer weight and hitch type and we will spec the right engine and axle - or check what is on the lot at Terrace Chrysler, serving Terrace, Kitimat, Prince Rupert and the Skeena Valley.
Towing and payload figures are maximums for properly equipped vehicles and vary by cab, box, drivetrain, axle ratio, equipment and hitch type; they may differ from vehicles in stock. Always confirm the rating for a specific configuration before towing, and never exceed the truck's or hitch's rated capacity. Specifications are from Ram Canada and are subject to change without notice. Please contact Terrace Chrysler at 250-635-7187 to confirm the rating for a specific build. Terrace Chrysler Ltd., 4916 Highway 16 West, Terrace, BC V8G 1L8.
