2020 RAM 1500 Towing Capacity

The towing capacity in the 2020 Ram 1500 ranges from 6,390 – 12,750 lbs. This is dependent on the cab size, bed size, drive, and most importantly engine. The engine type makes a big difference in the capabilities.

The highest towing capacity in the 2020 RAM 1500 of 12,750 lbs is achieved with the 5.7 L V8 HEMI engine with eTorque, a quad cab with a 6 ft 4 in bed, 4×2 drive, and the MAX towing package.

You should always use your own data to determine your towing capacity either through the manual or by calculating towing capacity on your own by using the weight capacities listed in your truck door.

Though I tried to make this information as accurate as possible, you should always check your manual or contact your local dealer to determine the appropriate towing capacity of your vehicle and necessary equipment.

2020 ram 1500 towing capacity featured image

2020 Ram 1500 Engine Performance

There are 3 available engines in the Ram 1500. Not every trim is available with each engine, but there are definitely a lot of choices.

We will walk you through the specs of each to help you decide what engine you want, or identify what engine you have if you already have your truck.

The two main options are the 5.7 L V8 HEMI and the 3.6 L V6 Pentastar. The 3.6 L engine comes standard equipped with the eTorque technology, but this is optional on the 5.7 L engine.

New to this year is the 3.0 L Ecodiesel V6 engine.

3.6 L Pentastar V6 Engine with eTorque

The Pentastar engine with eTorque is the primary engine type in the standard trim models.

Unless chosen otherwise, every Ram 1500 truck will have this engine (excluding TRX and Rebel trim levels).

This engine is less powerful than the Hemi with 269 lb.-ft of torque and only 305 hp. Similarly, it can only tow a maximum capacity of 7,750 lbs.

You can identify whether or not your car has this engine by comparing it to the one below.

3.6L Pentastar V6 Engine with eTorque
3.6L Pentastar V6 Engine with eTorque

5.7 L Hemi V8 Engine

The 5.7 L V8 engine is the available engine in the standard form of the Limited version of the Ram 1500.

But it is available in every trim but the Rebel.

It has a torque of 410 lb.-ft. and 395 hp.

Depending on the compatibility, this engine has a max towing capacity of 11,690 lbs.

This engine, as seen below is labeled very distinctly. You will notice it has bold white lettering on top.

5.7L HEMI V8 Engine Ram 1500
5.7 L HEMI V8 Engine

5.7 L Hemi V8 Engine with eTorque

This engine is an upgrade from the regular HEMI because of the inclusion of the eTorque system. In the image below, you will notice the eTorque system as a silver box labeled Ram.

This engine has the same torque and horsepower as the regular HEMI engine but has a max towing capacity of 12,750 lbs under the right conditions.

On their website, they say it offers an extra 130 lb.-ft of torque than the other engine, but according to their listing statistics, this is not the case. So I am unsure what the real value is for this engine.

You can also distinguish it based on the lettering color of “HEMI”. A black coloring indicates the engine with eTorque, and the silver indicates regular.

5.7L HEMI V8 Engine with eTorque
5.7L HEMI V8 Engine with eTorque

3.0L Ecodiesel V6

The Ecodiesel engine is the stock engine in the Tradesman HFE crew cab with a long bed only.

However, it is offered in every other trim (excluding TRX).

Being a diesel engine is does offer the highest amount of torque at 480 lb.-ft but only 260 hp, which is expected.

Though it supplies extra torque, it actually has a max towing capacity of 12,560 lbs which is 200 lbs lower than the 5.7L engine with eTorque.

3.0 L Ecodiesel V6 Engine Ram
3.0 L Ecodiesel V6 Engine Ram

Towing Packages

There is only one towing package available in the 2020 RAM 1500 series.

This is the Max Towing Package. This package adds a rear stabilizer bar, trailer-tow mirrors, and a 9.75-inch axle.

This in turn creates a 3.92 axle ratio providing more towing power for the truck. So any towing capacity with an axle ratio of 3.92 below, has the max towing package.

This package is only available in the Tradesman, Big Horn, and Laramie trims.

Max Towing Capacity by Engine

To determine the towing capacity of your vehicle, you need to know the:

  1. engine type
  2. bed size
  3. cab size
  4. drivetrain
  5. axle ratio

If you know all of these items, then move on to the next section by engine to determine your towing capacity.

If not:

  1. Start with the VIN decoder from Autozone to determine the engine in the vehicle
  2. measure the bed size with a tape measure to determine whether you have a 5 ft 7 in or 6 ft 4 in bed
  3. The cab size should be evident by whether or not the back doors are full-sized
  4. Drivetrain should be determined with the VIN as well
  5. The axle ratio will likely be listed on the side of the driver’s door on the certification sticker

You can find the GVWR and usually the axle ratio on the Safety Compliance Certification Label on the inside of the driver’s side door.

Related: What is GVWR?

3.6 L V6

The 3.6 L V6 engine towing capacity in the 2020 RAM 1500 ranges from 6,390 – 7,710 lbs.

Drive

Axle Ratio

Cab Size

Bed Size


GCWR
(lbs)

Towing Capacity
(lbs)

4x2 

3.21

Quad

6 ft 4 in

11,900

6,720

4x2

3.55

Quad

6 ft 4 in

12,900

7,710

4x4

3.21

Quad

6 ft 4 in

11,900

6,460

4x4

3.55

Quad

6 ft 4 in

12,900

7,460

4x2

3.21

Crew

5 ft 7 in

11,900

6,620

4x2

3.55

Crew

5 ft 7 in

12,900

7,620

4x4

3.21

Crew

5 ft 7 in

11,900

6,410

4x4

3.55

Crew

5 ft 7 in

12,900

7,410

4x2

3.21

Crew

6 ft 4 in

11,900

6,580

4x2

3.55

Crew

6 ft 4 in

12,900

7,580

4x4

3.21

Crew

6 ft 4 in

11,900

6,390

4x4

3.55

Crew

6 ft 4 in

12,900

7,390

5.7 L V8 HEMI

The 5.7 L V8 HEMI engine towing capacity in the 2020 RAM 1500 ranges from 8,190 – 11,620 lbs.

Drive

Axle Ratio

Cab Size

Bed Size

GCWR
(lbs)

Towing Capacity
(lbs)

4x2 

3.21

Quad

6 ft 4 in

13,900

8,520

4x2 

3.92

Quad

6 ft 4 in

17,000

11,620

4x4

3.21

Quad

6 ft 4 in

13,900

8,310

4x4

3.92

Quad

6 ft 4 in

17,000

11,410

4x2

3.21

Crew

5 ft 7 in

13,900

8,440

4x2 

3.92

Crew

5 ft 7 in

17,000

11,540

4x4

3.21

Crew

5 ft 7 in

13,900

8,190

4x4

3.92

Crew

5 ft 7 in

17,000

11,290

4x2

3.21

Crew

6 ft 4 in

13,900

8,390

4x2 

3.92

Crew

6 ft 4 in

17,000

11,490

4x4

3.21

Crew

6 ft 4 in

13,900

8,200

4x4

3.92

Crew

6 ft 4 in

17,000

11,300

5.7 L V8 HEMI w/eTorque

The 5.7 L V8 HEMI engine w/eTorque towing capacity in the 2020 RAM 1500 ranges from 7,990 – 12,750 lbs.

Drive

Axle Ratio

Cab Size

Bed Size

GCWR
(lbs)

Towing Capacity
(lbs)

4x2 

3.21

Quad

6 ft 4 in

13,900

8,440

4x2 

3.92

Quad

6 ft 4 in

17,000

11,540

4x2 

3.92

Quad

6 ft 4 in

18,350

12,750

4x4

3.21

Quad

6 ft 4 in

13,900

8,220

4x4

3.92

Quad

6 ft 4 in

17,000

11,320

4x2

3.21

Crew

5 ft 7 in

13,900

8,300

4x2 

3.92

Crew

5 ft 7 in

17,000

11,400

4x4

3.21

Crew

5 ft 7 in

13,900

8,120

4x4

3.92

Crew

5 ft 7 in

17,000

11,220

4x2

3.21

Crew

6 ft 4 in

13,900

8,300

4x2 

3.92

Crew

6 ft 4 in

17,000

11,400

4x4

3.21

Crew

6 ft 4 in

13,900

7,990

4x4

3.92

Crew

6 ft 4 in

17,000

11,090

3.0 L Ecodiesel V8

The 3.0 L Ecodiesel V8 engine w/eTorque towing capacity in the 2020 RAM 1500 ranges from 7,850 – 12,560 lbs.

Drive

Axle Ratio

Cab Size

Bed Size

GCWR
(lbs)

Towing Capacity
(lbs)

4x2 

3.21

Quad

6 ft 4 in

13,900

8,370

4x2

3.92

Quad

6 ft 4 in

15,600

10,070

4x2

3.92

Quad

6 ft 4 in

18,200

12,560

4x4

3.21

Quad

6 ft 4 in

13,900

8,160

4x4

3.92

Quad

6 ft 4 in

15,600

9,860

4x2

3.21

Crew

5 ft 7 in

13,900

8,210

4x2

3.92

Crew

5 ft 7 in

15,600

9,910

4x4

3.21

Crew

5 ft 7 in

13,900

8,010

4x4

3.92

Crew

5 ft 7 in

15,600

9,710

4x2

3.21

Crew

6 ft 4 in

13,900

8,250

4x2

3.92

Crew

6 ft 4 in

15,600

9,950

4x4

3.21

Crew

6 ft 4 in

13,900

7,850

4x4

3.92

Crew

6 ft 4 in

15,600

9,550

2020 RAM 1500 Payload Capacity

The 2020 RAM 1500 can carry between 1,180 to 2,320 lbs of cargo.

3.6 L V6

The 3.6 L V6 engine payload capacity in the 2020 RAM 1500 ranges from 1,200 – 2,300 lbs.

Drive

Cab Size

Bed Size


GVWR
(lbs)

Payload Capacity
(lbs)

4x2 

Quad

6 ft 4 in

6,010

1,200

4x4

Quad

6 ft 4 in

6,800

1,810

4x2

Quad

6 ft 4 in

7,100

2,300

4x2

Crew

5 ft 7 in

6,900

2,000

4x4

Crew

5 ft 7 in

6,900

1,810

4x2

Crew

6 ft 4 in

6,900

1,960

4x4

Crew

6 ft 4 in

6,900

1,770

5.7 L V8 HEMI

The 5.7 L V8 HEMI engine payload capacity in the 2020 RAM 1500 ranges from 1,770 – 1,910 lbs.

Drive

Cab Size

Bed Size

GVWR
(lbs)

Payload Capacity
(lbs)

4x2 

Quad

6 ft 4 in

6,900

1,900

4x4

Quad

6 ft 4 in

7,100

1,910

4x2

Crew

5 ft 7 in

6,900

1,810

4x4

Crew

5 ft 7 in

7,100

1,840

4x2

Crew

6 ft 4 in

6,900

1,770

4x4

Crew

6 ft 4 in

7,100

1,790

5.7 L V8 HEMI w/eTorque

The 5.7 L V8 HEMI engine w/eTorque payload capacity in the 2020 RAM 1500 ranges from 1,680 – 1,820 lbs.

Drive

Cab Size

Bed Size

GVWR
(lbs)

Payload Capacity
(lbs)

4x2 

Quad

6 ft 4 in

6,900

1,820

4x4

Quad

6 ft 4 in

7,100

1,820

4x2

Crew

5 ft 7 in

6,900

1,720

4x4

Crew

5 ft 7 in

7,100

1,770

4x2

Crew

6 ft 4 in

6,900

1,680

4x4

Crew

6 ft 4 in

7,100

1,690

3.0 L Ecodiesel V8

The 5.7 L V8 HEMI engine w/eTorque payload capacity in the 2020 RAM 1500 ranges from 1,750 – 2,040 lbs.

Drive

Cab Size

Bed Size

GVWR
(lbs)

Payload Capacity
(lbs)

4x2 

Quad

6 ft 4 in

7,200

2,040

4x4

Quad

6 ft 4 in

7,100

1,750

4x2

Crew

5 ft 7 in

7,000

1,780

4x4

Crew

5 ft 7 in

7,200

1,800

4x2

Crew

6 ft 4 in

7,000

1,740

4x4

Crew

6 ft 4 in

7,200

1,750

Ram 1500 Trims

The Ram 1500 family has 7 trims.

  • Limited
  • Rebel
  • Laramie Longhorn
  • Laramie
  • Big Horn
  • Lone Star
  • Tradesman

Each of these models has various options for customization, engine selection, cab size, and bed size.

Not all of these trims come in every option available.

For more information about the newest Trim Levels of the RAM 1500 read RAM 1500 Trim Levels.

Ram 1500 Cab Sizes

The Ram 1500 only has two cab sizes compared to other trucks. These are the Quad cab and Crew cab.

There is no regular cab which only has one row. Each of the cab options has two rows and can seat up to 6 people.

For more information on the difference between the Quad cab vs Crew cab read here.

Ram 1500 Bed Sizes

The Ram 1500 only has two bed sizes. They have a 5′ 7″ bed and a 6′ 4″ bed.

Every Quad Cab is equipped with the 6′ 4″ bed, but most trims with Crew Cabs have the option to be in either the short or long length.

This bed type is a fleetside truck meaning that the wheel wells stick out into the bed of the truck making the shape no longer perfectly rectangular. This is very common for trucks.

Conclusion

The 2020 Ram 1500 has a towing capacity ranging from 6,390 – 12,750 lbs.

The engine type, drive, cab size, and bed size can all impact the towing capacity.

You should always do your own towing capacity calculations before you ever tow anything, especially those that are close to these limits.

If you need help calculating your towing capacity, I wrote an entire article that walks you through the steps to calculate your towing capacity along with other considerations you need to make when towing.

The resources used for this information were taken from the 2020 RAM 1500 ebrochure.

For more information on towing with your 2020 RAM 1500 truck, check the owner’s manual.

JOEY TECCHI

I, Joey, am the owner and primary writer for Tailored Trucks. When I'm not writing, I enjoy taking my RAM pickup to the White Mountains for skiing, camping, or ATVing. Thanks for reading!

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