What is the towing capacity of the 2027 Ram 2500?

September 15th, 2026 by

The 2027 Ram 2500 has a maximum available towing capacity of 20,000 pounds when properly equipped with the available 6.7-liter Cummins High-Output turbo-diesel inline-six engine. Models powered by the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 can tow up to 17,740 pounds when properly equipped. Ram identifies these 2027 capability figures as preliminary, and the rating for an individual truck depends on its cab, bed, drivetrain, axle ratio, hitch, trim, and installed equipment.

What is the towing capacity of the 2027 Ram 2500 in San Antonio - Ancira CJDR

Which 2027 Ram 2500 engine offers the highest towing capacity?

The available Cummins High-Output diesel provides the highest maximum towing capacity in the 2027 Ram 2500 lineup. It pairs with a TorqueFlite HD eight-speed automatic transmission and produces 430 horsepower and 1,075 pound-feet of torque. That substantial low-speed torque is especially useful when starting a heavy trailer, climbing grades, or maintaining speed under load.

The standard 6.4-liter HEMI V8 remains a strong option for drivers who do not need the diesel truck’s 20,000-pound ceiling. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the gasoline engine produces 405 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. Its maximum preliminary towing rating of 17,740 pounds covers many travel trailers, equipment trailers, and recreational loads.

  • 6.7-liter Cummins High-Output turbo-diesel I6: Up to 20,000 pounds
  • 6.4-liter HEMI V8: Up to 17,740 pounds
  • Rating basis: Preliminary manufacturer maximums for properly equipped 2027 Ram 2500 configurations

Why does towing capacity vary between Ram 2500 trucks?

A maximum model-wide rating does not apply to every 2027 Ram 2500. Each combination of cab, bed, drivetrain, trim, axle equipment, and optional content has its own weight and towing limits. Adding passengers, cargo, accessories, or heavier trim equipment can also reduce the capacity available for trailer tongue or pin weight.

The 2027 lineup includes two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive configurations, along with Regular Cab, Crew Cab, and Mega Cab choices. Bed options include an 8-foot box for Regular Cab models, 6-foot-4-inch and 8-foot boxes for Crew Cab models, and a 6-foot-4-inch box for the four-wheel-drive Mega Cab. These layouts serve different priorities, but shoppers should not assume that two trucks with the same engine share the same tow rating.

For example, four-wheel drive adds traction that can be valuable on loose boat ramps, unpaved worksites, and wet surfaces. Its added hardware also affects vehicle weight. A larger cab gives passengers more room but can likewise change the truck’s available payload and towing calculation.

How do payload and trailer weight work together?

Payload is just as important as the advertised trailer limit because the trailer places weight directly on the truck. A conventional trailer normally transfers tongue weight to the rear of the vehicle, while a fifth-wheel or gooseneck trailer places pin weight in the bed. That load counts against the truck’s payload capacity along with passengers, tools, cargo, hitch hardware, and accessories.

A truck could remain below its maximum trailer rating and still exceed its payload, rear-axle, tire, or gross combined weight limit. Safe matching therefore requires more than comparing the trailer’s dry weight with the 20,000-pound headline figure.

Numbers to review before selecting a trailer

  • Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The maximum permitted weight of the loaded truck.
  • Gross Combined Weight Rating: The maximum permitted weight of the loaded truck and trailer together.
  • Gross Axle Weight Ratings: The allowable load carried by each truck axle.
  • Payload rating: The combined allowance for occupants, cargo, hitch equipment, and trailer tongue or pin weight.
  • Trailer Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The trailer’s maximum loaded weight, not merely its empty or dry weight.

How should shoppers calculate their required towing capacity?

Start with the trailer’s expected loaded weight rather than its empty shipping weight. Water, fuel, food, tools, recreational gear, and equipment can add a meaningful amount once a trailer is ready for the road. Building a reasonable margin below the truck’s limits also leaves room for changing cargo and travel plans.

  1. Find the trailer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and expected loaded weight.
  2. Estimate the trailer’s loaded tongue or pin weight.
  3. Add the weight of the driver, passengers, cargo, hitch hardware, and installed accessories.
  4. Compare those totals with the truck-specific payload, axle, towing, and combined-weight ratings.
  5. Confirm that the hitch and all towing components are rated for the intended load.

The certification labels on the truck provide key weight limits for that vehicle, while its configuration-specific towing information identifies the applicable trailer rating. This is more dependable than applying the maximum 20,000-pound figure to every Ram 2500.

Is the diesel or gas Ram 2500 the better towing choice?

The Cummins diesel is the clear choice when maximum towing capacity is the priority. Its 20,000-pound ceiling exceeds the HEMI V8 maximum by 2,260 pounds, and its 1,075 pound-feet of torque supports demanding towing situations. It is particularly relevant for shoppers planning to pull a large fifth-wheel, substantial equipment trailer, or another load approaching the upper end of the 2500’s capability.

The HEMI V8 makes sense for many owners whose trailers remain comfortably below its 17,740-pound maximum. The right choice should reflect the loaded trailer, payload demand, towing frequency, terrain, and desired drivetrain rather than the highest number alone.

What should San Antonio truck shoppers consider?

Ram 2500 shoppers in San Antonio should choose a configuration around the heaviest realistic load they expect to pull. Trailer type matters as much as trailer weight because conventional, fifth-wheel, and gooseneck setups place different demands on the truck and require appropriate hitch equipment.

Ancira CJDR gives local shoppers a relevant place to compare cab, bed, drivetrain, and powertrain choices. Drivers researching the diesel and HEMI configurations can explore Ram 2500 trucks and identify combinations suited to their passenger, cargo, and trailering requirements. The linked page is a shopping resource and does not mean that every possible configuration is currently available.

2027 Ram 2500 towing capacity FAQ

Can every 2027 Ram 2500 tow 20,000 pounds?

No. The 20,000-pound figure is the maximum available rating for a properly equipped Ram 2500 with the Cummins High-Output diesel. The rating assigned to a particular truck depends on its complete configuration.

How much can the gas-powered 2027 Ram 2500 tow?

The properly equipped 2027 Ram 2500 with the 6.4-liter HEMI V8 has a preliminary maximum towing capacity of 17,740 pounds.

Does trailer tongue weight count against payload?

Yes. Tongue or pin weight is carried by the truck and counts against payload, along with occupants, cargo, hitch hardware, and accessories.

What is the key towing takeaway?

The 2027 Ram 2500 can tow up to 20,000 pounds with the available Cummins High-Output diesel or up to 17,740 pounds with the HEMI V8 when properly equipped. The correct number for any individual truck is its configuration-specific rating, not automatically the model-wide maximum.

Posted in Ram 2500