Towing Capacity for 2017 RAM 1500

The towing capacity in the 2017 Ram 1500 ranges from 4,210 – 10,640 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 2017 RAM 1500 of 10,640 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.

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.

towing capacity for 2017 ram 1500

2017 Ram 1500 Engine Performance

There are 4 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.

There is also the 3.0 L Ecodiesel engine.

3.6 L Pentastar V6 Engine

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

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 7,600 lbs.

3.6 L engine ram 1500 2014
3.6L Pentastar V6 Engine

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.

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

Depending on the compatibility, this engine has a max towing capacity of 10,640 lbs.

In previous years this was offered in both a 6 speed and 8 speed transmission, but in 2017 it starts to only be offered in 8 speed.

5.7 L hemi engine ram 1500 2016
5.7 L Hemi V8 Engine

3.0L Ecodiesel V6

Being a diesel engine it does offer the highest amount of torque at 420 lb.-ft but only 240 hp, which is expected.

Though it supplies extra torque, it actually has a max towing capacity of 9,210 lbs which is 1,430 lbs lower than the 5.7L engine.

3.0 ecodiesel ram 1500 engine 2014
3.0 L Ecodiesel V6 Engine

Towing Packages

There is only one towing package available in the 2017 RAM 1500 series.

This is the Trailer Tow Mirrors and Brake Group. This package adds an electronic brake controller, Class IV hitch receiver, and 7×11 in. tow mirrors.

This package is available on every trim level except the HFE. A Class IV hitch can also be bought separately if needed.

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?

3.6 L V6 Pentastar

The 3.6 L V6 engine towing capacity in the 2017 RAM 1500 ranges from 4,210 – 7,600 lbs.

Drive

Axle Ratio

Cab Size

Bed Size

GCWR
(lbs)

Towing Capacity
(lbs)

4x2

3.21

Regular

6 ft 4 in

9,850

4,970

4x4


3.21

Regular

6 ft 4 in

9,850

4,750

4x2


3.21

Regular

8 ft

9,850

4,770

4x4


3.21

Regular

8 ft

9,850

4,580

4x2


3.55

Regular

6 ft 4 in

12,200

7,260

4x4

3.55

Regular

6 ft 4 in

12,200

7,050

4x2

3.55

Regular

8 ft

12,400

7,270

4x4

3.55

Regular

8 ft

12,400

7,080

4x2 

3.21

Quad

6 ft 4 in

9,850

4,610

4x2

3.55

Quad

6 ft 4 in

12,900

7,600

4x4

3.21

Quad

6 ft 4 in

9,850

4,430

4x4

3.55

Quad

6 ft 4 in

12,900

7,420

4x2

3.21

Crew

5 ft 7 in

9,850

4,510

4x2

3.55

Crew

5 ft 7 in

12,900

7,510

4x4

3.21

Crew

5 ft 7 in

9,850

4,210

4x4

3.55

Crew

5 ft 7 in

12,900

7,210

5.7 L V8 HEMI

The 5.7 L V8 HEMI 8-speed engine towing capacity in the 2017 RAM 1500 ranges from 5,030 – 10,620 lbs.

Drive

Axle Ratio

Cab Size

Bed Size

GCWR
(lbs)

Towing Capacity
(lbs)

4x2

3.92

Regular

6 ft 4 in

10,250

5,030

4x2

3.21

Regular

6 ft 4 in

13,800

8,610

4x4

3.21

Regular

6 ft 4 in

13,800

8,380

4x2

3.21

Regular

8 ft

13,800

8,470

4x4

3.21

Regular

8 ft

13,800

8,260

4x2

3.92

Regular

6 ft 4 in

14,350

9,160

4x4

3.92

Regular

6 ft 4 in

14,350

8,930

4x2

3.92

Regular

8 ft

15,950

10,620

4x4


3.92

Regular

8 ft

15,950

10,410

4x2 

3.21

Quad

6 ft 4 in

13,800

8,190

4x2 

3.92

Quad

6 ft 4 in

15,950

10,340

4x4

3.21

Quad

6 ft 4 in

13,800

8,000

4x4

3.92

Quad

6 ft 4 in

15,950

10,150

4x2

3.21

Crew

5 ft 7 in

13,800

8,070

4x2 

3.92

Crew

5 ft 7 in

15,950

10,220

4x4

3.21

Crew

5 ft 7 in

13,800

7,990

4x4

3.92

Crew

5 ft 7 in

15,950

10,140

4x2

3.21

Crew

6 ft 4 in

13,800

8,050

4x2 

3.92

Crew

6 ft 4 in

15,950

10,200

4x4

3.21

Crew

6 ft 4 in

13,800

7,780

4x4

3.92

Crew

6 ft 4 in

15,950

9,830

3.0 L Ecodiesel V8

The 3.0 L Ecodiesel V8 towing capacity in the 2017 RAM 1500 ranges from 7,540 – 9,210 lbs.

Drive

Axle Ratio

Cab Size

Bed Size

GCWR
(lbs)

Towing Capacity
(lbs)

4x2

3.55

Regular

8 ft

13,750

8,240

4x4

3.55

Regular

8 ft

13,750

8,030

4x2

3.92

Regular

8 ft

13,750

8,240

4x4

3.92

Regular

8 ft

13,750

8,030

4x2

3.92

Regular

8 ft

14,750

9,210

4x4

3.92

Regular

8 ft

14,750

9,030

4x2

3.55

Quad

6 ft 4 in

13,750

7,960

4x4


3.55


Quad

6 ft 4 in

13,750

7,750

4x2 

3.92

Quad

6 ft 4 in


13,750

7,960

4x4

3.92

Quad

6 ft 4 in

13,750

7,750

4x2

3.92

Quad

6 ft 4 in

14,750

8,960

4x4

3.92

Quad

6 ft 4 in

14,750

8,750

4x2

3.55

Crew

5 ft 7 in

13,750

7,870

4x4

3.55

Crew

5 ft 7 in

13,750

7,580

4x2

3.92

Crew

5 ft 7 in

13,750

7,870

4x4

3.92

Crew

5 ft 7 in

13,750

7,580

4x2

3.92

Crew

5 ft 7 in

14,750

8,870

4x4

3.92

Crew

5 ft 7 in

14,750

8,580

4x4

3.55

Crew

6 ft 4 in

13,750

7,540

4x4

3.92

Crew

6 ft 4 in

14,550

8,340

4x4

3.92

Crew

6 ft 4 in

13,750

7,540

2017 RAM 1500 Payload Capacity

The 2017 RAM 1500 can carry between 1,260 to 1,890 lbs of cargo.

3.6 L V6

The 3.6 L V6 engine payload capacity in the 2017 RAM 1500 ranges from 1,500 – 1,880 lbs.

Drive

Cab Size

Bed Size

GVWR
(lbs)

Payload Capacity
(lbs)

4x2

Regular

6 ft 4 in

6,025

1,500

4x4

Regular

6 ft 4 in

6,300

1,560

4x2

Regular

8 ft

6,600

1,880

4x4

Regular

8 ft

6,600

1,690

4x2 

Quad

6 ft 4 in

6,800

1,880

4x4

Quad

6 ft 4 in

6,800

1,700

4x2

Crew

5 ft 7 in

6,800

1,820

4x4

Crew

5 ft 7 in

6,800

1,630

5.7 L V8 HEMI

The 5.7 L V8 HEMI 8-speed engine payload capacity in the 2017 RAM 1500 ranges from 1,350 – 1,760 lbs.

Drive

Cab Size

Bed Size

GVWR
(lbs)

Payload Capacity
(lbs)

4x2

Regular

6 ft 4 in

6,200

1,350

4x2

Regular

6 ft 4 in

6,350

1,590

4x4

Regular

6 ft 4 in

6,350

1,390

4x2

Regular

8 ft

6,600

1,690

4x4

Regular

8 ft

6,600

1,480

4x2 

Quad

6 ft 4 in

6,900

1,760

4x4

Quad

6 ft 4 in

6,900

1,570

4x2

Crew

5 ft 7 in

6,900

1,680

4x4

Crew

5 ft 7 in

6,900

1,510

4x2

Crew

6 ft 4 in

6,900

1,640

4x4

Crew

6 ft 4 in

6,900

1,450

3.0 L Ecodiesel V8

The 3.0 L Ecodiesel V8 payload capacity in the 2017 RAM 1500 ranges from 1,250 – 1,590 lbs.

Drive

Cab Size

Bed Size

GVWR
(lbs)

Payload Capacity
(lbs)

4x2

Regular

8 ft

6,600

1,510

4x4

Regular

8 ft

6,600

1,290

4x2

Quad

6 ft 4 in

6,945

1,500

4x2

Quad

6 ft 4 in

6,950

1,590

4x4

Quad

6 ft 4 in

6,950

1,380

4x2

Crew

5 ft 7 in

6,950

1,530

4x4

Crew

5 ft 7 in

6,950

1,320

4x4

Crew

6 ft 4 in

6,950

1,250

RAM 1500 Tongue Weight

RAM recommends that the hitch weight for conventional towing should be 10% of the trailer weight.

Any amount over 5,000 lbs requires a weight-distributing hitch.

You must make sure you have the appropriate hitch receiver to accommodate the towing capacity you are targeting.

Ram 1500 Trims

The Ram 1500 in 2017 family has 10 trims.

  • Tradesman
  • HFE
  • Express
  • Big Horn
  • Sport
  • Night
  • Rebel
  • Laramie
  • Laramie Longhorn
  • Limited

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 2017 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 has three bed sizes. They have a 5′ 7″ bed, a 6′ 4″ bed, and an 8 ft bed.

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

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 2017 Ram 1500 has a towing capacity ranging from 4,210 – 10,640 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 2017 RAM 1500 ebrochure.

For more information on towing with your 2017 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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