No pickup truck better represents the American’s love for the make than the Ram 1500 and the Ford F series. To put it into numbers: the three best pickups in the US in 2020 made up 13% of the total sales (the three are Ford F-series, Silverado, and Ram trucks). Ram 1500 outperformed Chevrolet’s Silverado when car sales were nosediving during the pandemic – Americans love their pickup trucks.
It’s been said that the pickup truck is the modern horse for productive people. You can go to the worksite with it and have fun in the evening or on weekends. But like in the old times, a good horse is known for its strength and how much it can carry or push. It’s the case with pickup
trucks.
Why is the Ram 1500 such a darling to the American market?
Well, the half-ton truck is a package with tons of features. If it’s not the sleek and stylish design or the powerful engine options, then it is its impressive towing capabilities. The half-ton pickup is a workhorse with features you’d find in a luxury SUV, which is quite a remarkable twist.
There’s also the brand royalty that the Ram fosters through quality, fair pricing, and of course, their consistency in adding newer incentives into every issue. While they said that nothing is as certain as death and taxes, it’s time now we added ‘incentives in a new Ram’ to the list. You’re almost sure that the newer Ram will come with something new that tickles your interest and keeps the half-ton truck ahead of the competition.
For example, the third generation Ram was released with a redesigned powertrain, frame, suspension, and interior. It was among the first trucks to add a luxury experience to a work truck. Other features would follow, such as an independent suspension system and a much larger grille to add a nice touch of aggressiveness and stylish flair to the half-ton.
On the other hand, the Dodge Ram trucks remained the only option for truck drivers that loved shifting the gears themselves as other truck manufacturers phased the feature out. Gear shifting for some drivers has its own irreplaceable pleasure.
Ram trucks have shown that work trucks don’t have to be boring; they can have more tech features, better experience, and be monsters on the road as well. Ram trucks have better drivability and comfort than others in the same market, which has etched a powerful imprint on the hearts of truck lovers.
Towing Capabilities of the Ram 1500
The towing capacity is a vital feature to look out for when buying the Ram 1500. But what exactly is towing capacity? Simply put, it’s the weight a truck can safely tow behind it, and the Ram 1500 has lots of it. The pickup truck is the real deal when you need to haul stuff.
But how much towing capacity are we talking about? Well, it’s a whopping 12,750 pounds. That’s more than enough to pull a fully-loaded trailer, a small house, and lots of other stuff that are legal on the roads. It means that the Ram 1500 is an excellent hauler, with big muscles to work for you without breaking a sweat.
Ram 1500’s standard towing capacity is impressive as most models can tow up to 7,500 pounds. With this towing capacity, you can haul a boat, trailer or other things to the lake for a weekend getaway.
Features that affect Ram 1500’s towing capacity
Ram 1500’s towing capabilities can be affected by various factors, including engine size and power, transmission type, suspension and brakes, and towing package and equipment.
For example, the Ram 1500’s 5.7-liter HEMI V8 engine boasts an impressive 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. This makes the engine one of the most powerful in its class. The engine, paired with the eight-speed auto transmission, allows the Ram to tow up as much as 12,750 pounds when properly equipped.
On the other hand, the standard 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine has a more modest 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. While still capable of pulling as much as 7,520 pounds, this engine may struggle with larger loads and steep inclines.
The 2022 TRX boasts a powerful 6.2L Supercharged HEMI engine with 702 horses and 650 pounds per foot of torque. The engine is made to withstand almost 20,000 pounds of force.
But while these powerful engines have the lion’s share of the towing capability, other features, such as the frame build, contribute as much. The Ram’s frame is 98% high-strength steel to provide durability and stiffness. A strong foundation helps deliver a maximum payload capacity of 2,300 lbs and a 12,750 lbs towing capacity. That is for powerful engines such as the 6.2L Supercharged HEMI.
The Ram 1500 towing capability is also helped by features like the Trailer HitTrailer 360° Surround View Camera. These improve visibility and awareness when towing beside, behind, and around the trailer. The trailer reverse steering control gives the driver more confidence when backing up with the trailer attached.
Furthermore, the Ram 1500’s available air suspension and four-corner air suspension, equipped with load leveling, can help improve towing stability and handling. The air suspension automatically lowers the vehicle to minimize drag when riding at highway speeds.
Buyers tend to overlook this, but the quality of the towing connection is another essential factor. For the Ram 1500, there’s an available Class IV hitch receiver with four- and seven-pin wiring harnesses capable of handling the maximum towing capacity and payload.
Comparison of Ram 1500’s Towing Capacity with Competition
As much as the Ram 1500’s towing capacity is impressive, it’s not the only one with big numbers. Other trucks in its class have enormous power. But how much are we talking about? How does the Ram 1500 stack up against some of its biggest rivals?
For example, the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are its main competitors that offer similar towing capabilities. The F-150 can pull up to 13,200 pounds, and the Silverado 1500 can weigh up to 12,500 pounds, which still comes short of the Ram 1500s 12,750 towing.
In addition to beating both rivals hands down in terms of towing capability, the Ram 1500 offers a more comfortable and refined ride and a more luxurious interior.
Note that the F-150 achieves high towing capacity with the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, a top-of-the-line engine option, but it comes with a hefty price tag. Then again, the Ram 1500 reaches its maximum towing capacity with its standard 5.7-liter V8 engine. As such, it’s a simple choice if you’re in the market for an affordable truck with heavy-duty towing capabilities.
On the other hand, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, with a maximum towing capacity of 12,500 pounds, offers a broader range of engine options. For example, buyers can choose a diesel, which is usually appealing.
Still on top is The Toyota Tundra, another pickup truck often stacked against the Ram 1500. But can it pull more than the Ram 1500? Not exactly! The Tundra has a maximum towing capacity of 10,200 pounds, less than what the Ram offers.
The Ram 1500 uses its big towing capacity as a major selling point and then throws in other innovative features to completely hook the buyer. It’s not surprising that this strategy works so well. Of course, if you’re in the market for a pickup truck, you want something that does it all better than others, and the Ram 1500 outpaces its main rivals. The Ram offers a range of features and technologies for a more convenient and safer towing. It’s a simple choice, really.
How to Properly Tow with a Ram 1500
It’s settled that the Ram 1500 is a towing monster. But you must know how to control the monster to get the best out of it. What’s the use of so much towing capacity if you cannot put it to good use when needed?
When towing with the Ram 1500, there are a couple of things to remember. First and foremost, prepare the truck for towing by installing the proper hitch and weight distribution system. You also need towing mirrors and lighting to ensure the Ram 1500 is properly ready to handle the extra weight and stress of towing. Good thing the Ram 1500 has some of the best towing tech and features, and they’ll come in handy.
The next step is to load and secure the cargo you’re towing. In other words, distribute the weight evenly, and ensure you have secured the cargo with ropes and straps.
Resist overloading Ram 1500 or improperly distributing the weight, as this can affect the truck’s handling, putting you in a dangerous situation. Pay attention to weight limits and drive at a safe speed, observing the limits.
The Ram 1500’s towing capabilities are impressive, but it’s important to remember that the truck can only tow so much safer. Take turns and brake gently, as the added weight of the hauled cargo can make the Ram 1500 handle differently.