RAM 1500 Towing Capacity 2012 (with charts)

The towing capacity in the 2012 Ram 1500 ranges from 3,300 – 10,450 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 2012 RAM 1500 of 10,450 lbs is achieved with the 5.7 L V8 HEMI engine, a regular cab with an 8 ft bed, and 4×2 drive.

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.

2012 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.

3.7 L V6 Engine

The 3.7 L engine is the least powerful engine in the 2012 RAM 1500 family.

This engine is less powerful than the Hemi with 235 lb.-ft of torque and only 215 hp. Similarly, it can only tow a maximum capacity of 3,800 lbs.

4.7 L Flex Fuel V8

The 4.7 L engine is the middle engine in the family offering 330 lb.-ft and 310 hp.

Though it supplies extra torque, it actually has a max towing capacity of 7,700 lbs which is 2,750 lbs lower than the 5.7L engine.

5.7 L Hemi V8 Engine

The 5.7 L V8 engine is the largest engine available in the 2012 RAM 1500 truck.

It has a torque of 407 lb.-ft. and 390 hp.

Depending on the compatibility, this engine has a max towing capacity of 10,450 lbs.

Towing Packages

There is only one towing package available in the 2012 RAM 1500 series.

This package is available on the ST, Tradesman, and Express trims.

This is the Trailer Brake Control Group. This package includes trailer brake control. To actually support towing, you can add the Class IV trailer hitch to your RAM 1500.

The Trdesman, Big Horn, and Outdoorsman come with Class IV trailer hitch as a standard, but all trims have a hitch available to add.

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, 6 ft 4 in, or 8 ft 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?

3.7 L V6

The 3.7 L V6 engine towing capacity in the 2012 RAM 1500 ranges from 3,300 – 3,800 lbs.

4.7 L Flex Fuel V6

The 4.7 L V6 Flex Fuel V6 engine towing capacity in the 2012 RAM 1500 ranges from 5,900 – 7,700 lbs.

5.7 L V8 HEMI

The 5.7 L V8 HEMI engine towing capacity in the 2012 RAM 1500 ranges from 4,900 – 10,450 lbs.

2012 RAM 1500 Payload Capacity

The 2012 RAM 1500 can carry between 1,265 to 1,773 lbs of cargo.

3.7 L V6

The 3.7 L V6 engine payload capacity in the 2012 RAM 1500 ranges from 1,387 – 1,909 lbs.

4.7 L Flex Fuel V6

The 5.7 L V8 HEMI 6-speed engine payload capacity in the 2012 RAM 1500 ranges from 1,265 – 1,773 lbs.

5.7 L V8 HEMI

The 5.7 L V8 HEMI 8-speed engine payload capacity in the 2012 RAM 1500 ranges from 1,373 – 1,706 lbs.

Ram 1500 Trims

The Ram 1500 in 2012 family has 9 trims.

• ST
• Tradesman
• Express
• SLT
• Big Horn
• Outdoorsman
• Sport
• Laramie
• Laramie Longhorn

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

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

Ram 1500 Cab Sizes

The 2012 Ram 1500 has three cab sizes. These are the Regular cab, Quad cab, and Crew cab.

The Regular Cab has only one row of seating but the other two options have two rows and can seat up to 6 passengers.

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

Ram 1500 Bed Sizes

The Ram 1500 only has three bed sizes. They have a 5′ 7″ bed, a 6′ 4″ bed, and an 8 ft bed.

The 8 ft bed is only available with the Regular Cab

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 2012 Ram 1500 has a towing capacity ranging from 3,300 – 10,450 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 2012 RAM 1500 ebrochure.

For more information on towing with your 2012 RAM 1500 truck, check the owner’s manual.