I have a ram 2500 5.7 hemi 3.73 and am confused some on the towing capacity. 8600# is what its rated at that just seems awful low for a 3/4 ton truck? The newer 1/2 tons will tow more than that. It tows my small 23 foot Taho Light trailer just fine as it just weighs around 5000#. I am looking to go full time next year and wanting a 5er for the added storage,and 4 season package, but looking at the so called 1/2 ton towable 5er's my 3/4 ton doesn't have the capacity to tow them. Am I missing something ? Not reading weights and numbers right? Thank's Mark

What's the payload rating on your Ram?

I would ignore the "Half ton towable" market hype. Stay within your towing capacity or you'll be in for a miserable experience. There's just nothing worse than having too little TV - BTDT!

I think the 3.73 gears along with the 5.7 Hemi are what's holding your truck back. Regearing would probably get you closer to where you're expecting.

Ron3rd wrote:What's the payload rating on your Ram?2,550 lbs

BillyW wrote:I think the 3.73 gears along with the 5.7 Hemi are what's holding your truck back. Regearing would probably get you closer to where you're expecting.Yeah with 4.10 gears towing capacity goes up quiet a bit. But if you look at the new ram 2500 the only difference I can see in those and the 2011 is the 6 speed transmission. Maybe I am just old school but cant see how 6 gears vs 5 gears in a transmission can get you 3000 more lbs of towing capacity.

2011 Ram 2500 towing a 5er | Good Sam Community

br549redneck
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014
Rich75 wrote:
Mark, I have the same Ram as you do, and we just recently purchased a new TT. A Springdale 310BHGL, MT weight is 7940 and TW is 1095. I know when I am all loaded down with gear and family, I am well over weight. Since May we have logged well over 1500 miles and counting. Yes there are hills that make the Hemi work, but we get to the top. And as far as towing down the freeway, she works real good, no sway, no bouncing, nothing. I feel real comfortable towing. My next trip I plan on weighting it just for kicks.

Thank your for the reply the trailers I am looking at are 10-14000 # to get what we want for full timeing
Rich75
Explorer
Jul 20, 2014
Mark, I have the same Ram as you do, and we just recently purchased a new TT. A Springdale 310BHGL, MT weight is 7940 and TW is 1095. I know when I am all loaded down with gear and family, I am well over weight. Since May we have logged well over 1500 miles and counting. Yes there are hills that make the Hemi work, but we get to the top. And as far as towing down the freeway, she works real good, no sway, no bouncing, nothing. I feel real comfortable towing. My next trip I plan on weighting it just for kicks.
br549redneck
Explorer
Jul 19, 2014
Thank you for the replies not what I wanted to hear but it is what it is. May have to stick with a TT really don't want to have to get another tow vehicle. Mine only has 54k miles on it.
Perrysburg_Dodg
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
br549redneck wrote:
I have a ram 2500 5.7 hemi 3.73 and am confused some on the towing capacity. 8600# is what its rated at that just seems awful low for a 3/4 ton truck? The newer 1/2 tons will tow more than that. It tows my small 23 foot Taho Light trailer just fine as it just weighs around 5000#. I am looking to go full time next year and wanting a 5er for the added storage,and 4 season package, but looking at the so called 1/2 ton towable 5er's my 3/4 ton doesn't have the capacity to tow them. Am I missing something ? Not reading weights and numbers right?
Thank's Mark

Mark you may well only have a tow rating of 8,600# with the 3:73 gears.
Click Here to see the ratings for the 2011 Ram's just find the correct truck configuration and you will find the ratings for your truck.

Don
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jul 18, 2014
br549redneck wrote:
Ron3rd wrote:
What's the payload rating on your Ram?

2,550 lbs

Now subtract...
Weight of 5th wheel hitch
Weight of any/all passengers
Weight of all the stuff in cab

That might eave you 1900# (or less) in payload capacity.
That will be used up very quickly by 5th wheel wet pin weight

20% of a 5vr GVWR.........that doesn't leave much for a 5vr.
Might get by with a 10,000# GVWR 5vr.

Lack of real available payload is what hurts be it 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, 1 ton SRW etc. 5vr wet pin weight has to be carried by tow vehicle.
Due to that...tow vehicles run out of payload long before reaching mfg. max tow rating numbers
goducks10
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
goducks10 wrote:
What year?

Duh, just saw the title.
goducks10
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
What year?
ScottG
Nomad
Jul 18, 2014
I can see it. It's not just another gear, it's a stronger trans and more. It (trans) could have more efficient internals (less heat) and with the extra gear it can stay on the torque peak more. I think I read that the newer RAM's also had more cooling capacity and the 2011 also has 45 more HP and considerably more torque.
br549redneck
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
BillyW wrote:
I think the 3.73 gears along with the 5.7 Hemi are what's holding your truck back. Regearing would probably get you closer to where you're expecting.

Yeah with 4.10 gears towing capacity goes up quiet a bit. But if you look at the new ram 2500 the only difference I can see in those and the 2011 is the 6 speed transmission. Maybe I am just old school but cant see how 6 gears vs 5 gears in a transmission can get you 3000 more lbs of towing capacity.
br549redneck
Explorer
Jul 18, 2014
Ron3rd wrote:
What's the payload rating on your Ram?

2,550 lbs