A Look at How Much You Can Tow With Each Ram 1500 Version and Engine

If you haul a boat to the Fraser Valley lakes, pull a camper through the Coquihalla, or tow equipment for work around Maple Ridge, the Ram 1500's towing capacity is more than a spec - it's the number that determines whether your truck can handle the job. The 2026 Ram 1500 lineup offers multiple engine options and configurations, each with its own towing ceiling. Here's how the numbers break down across the lineup and what you need to know before you hook up.

The Ram 1500's towing capacity ranges from moderate daily-use figures to class-leading maximums depending on which engine and trim you choose. The new 3.0-litre I6 Hurricane Standard Output (SO) sits at the top of the towing hierarchy, rated at a massive 11,570 lb (5,248 kg). The revived 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 with eTorque hybrid technology remains a powerhouse, rated at 10,170 lb (4,613 kg) - enough to pull a large travel trailer or a loaded equipment hauler without breaking a sweat. Other engine options in the lineup deliver lower but still highly capable towing figures suited to lighter trailers, boats, and recreational gear.

Max Towing by Engine and Configuration

The 2026 Ram 1500 lineup includes four engine options, each with different towing capacities. The numbers below reflect maximum towing when properly equipped - actual capacity depends on cab configuration, bed length, drivetrain, and optional towing packages.

• 3.0-litre Hurricane Standard Output (SO):
• • Maximum towing capacity: 11,570 lb (5,248 kg)
  • Available on: Sport, Rebel, Laramie (Standard); Tradesman, Big Horn (Available)
• 5.7-litre HEMI V-8 with eTorque (Hybrid):
  • Maximum towing capacity: 10,170 lb (4,613 kg)
  • Available on: Tradesman, Express, Warlock, Big Horn, Sport, Rebel, Laramie, Limited, Longhorn
• 3.0-litre Hurricane High Output (HO):
• • Maximum towing capacity: 9,920 lb (4,500 kg)
  • Available on: Limited, Limited Longhorn, RHO, Tungsten (Standard)
• 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 with eTorque:
• • Maximum towing capacity: 8,110 lb (3,679 kg)
  • Available on: Tradesman, Big Horn (Standard)

The 3.0-litre Hurricane SO is the new towing champion in the Ram 1500 lineup. If you regularly pull loads exceeding 10,000 lbs, this is the engine to choose. However, the HEMI V-8 remains an exceptional choice for heavy trailers in the 8,000 - 10,000 lb range, while the Hurricane HO and Pentastar V6 offer strong capability for everyday towing duties.

Powertrains Built for Towing

For those who love a classic V-8, the 5.7-litre HEMI delivers 395 hp and 410 lb-ft of torque - the kind of output that pulls a loaded trailer up the Coquihalla without hunting for gears. The eTorque hybrid system adds up to 130 lb-ft of torque on initial throttle tip-in, which translates to smoother launches when pulling away from a stop with a trailer hooked up. This is especially useful when merging onto Highway 1 or navigating steep boat launch ramps.

The eTorque system replaces the traditional engine-mounted alternator with a belt-driven motor generator unit paired to a 48-volt battery pack. The battery - a compact 430-watt-hour lithium-ion unit housed behind the rear seat - stores energy during braking and coasting, then feeds it back to the motor generator to assist the engine during acceleration. The system also enables quick, smooth engine start/stop cycles and smooths out shifts under load.

All HEMI-powered 2026 Ram 1500 models come standard with 4WD in Canada and include a performance-tuned exhaust system. The engine features variable camshaft timing and Fuel Saver Technology (cylinder deactivation), which shuts down four cylinders during light-load cruising to improve fuel economy. An 850-watt electric cooling fan using Pulse Width Modulation keeps the engine cool during extended towing sessions without the parasitic drag of a traditional belt-driven fan.

The five-link solid rear axle suspension provides a stable platform for towing across all engine options. It keeps the rear end planted under load and reduces the side-to-side sway that lighter independent rear suspensions can exhibit when pulling a heavy trailer.

Tow Packages and Equipment

Ram offers trailer reverse steering control as an available feature across the lineup. This system allows you to steer the trailer using the truck's rotary dial controller while backing up - a meaningful help when maneuvering into tight campsites or aligning a boat trailer at the launch.

Blind-Spot Monitoring with trailer coverage is standard across all trims. The system extends its detection zone to account for the length of your trailer, alerting you to vehicles in adjacent lanes that you can't see in your mirrors. Rear Cross Path detection is also standard, warning you of approaching traffic when backing out of a parking spot with a trailer attached.

Available features on select trims include a surround 360-degree camera system (standard on Sport, Rebel, Laramie, and RHO), which provides a bird's-eye view of the truck and trailer - useful for tight parking situations and navigating narrow trails. Adaptive cruise control is standard across the lineup and adjusts your speed to maintain a safe following distance, even with a trailer in tow.

Towing Tips for BC Roads

Towing through the Fraser Valley and into the Interior requires different considerations than flat-ground highway cruising. The Coquihalla's steep grades and tight switchbacks demand proper weight distribution and trailer brake setup. Before you leave Maple Ridge, verify that your trailer's tongue weight falls within the recommended 10 - 15% of total trailer weight - too light and the trailer will sway, too heavy and you'll overload the rear axle.

Use the truck's tow/haul mode when climbing or descending grades. This mode adjusts shift points to keep the engine in its power band and uses engine braking to reduce wear on the service brakes during long descents. If your trailer is equipped with electric brakes, adjust the brake controller gain to match the load - start conservative and increase gradually until the trailer brakes engage smoothly without locking up.

Check your mirrors frequently and allow extra stopping distance. A 10,000 lb trailer doubles your stopping distance compared to an unloaded truck. On two-lane highways like the Lougheed or Highway 7, use pullouts to let faster traffic pass rather than feeling pressured to speed up.

How the Ram 1500 Compares for Towing

The Ram 1500's massive 11,570 lb maximum towing capacity with the 3.0L Hurricane SO places it at the top of the light-duty truck segment. This figure matches or exceeds most competitors in the half-ton class and gives you the flexibility to pull larger trailers without stepping up to a heavy-duty truck.

For V-8 purists, the eTorque hybrid system is a major differentiator - no other half-ton truck offers a V-8 hybrid with this level of towing capability. The system's torque assist during launch and its ability to smooth out shifts under load make it particularly well-suited to frequent towing in varied terrain like the roads around Maple Ridge and the Fraser Valley.

The Ram 1500 Delivers Towing Capability Across the Lineup

The 2026 Ram 1500 offers towing options for every use case, from weekend boat trips to full-time work hauling. The 3.0L Hurricane SO sits at the top with 11,570 lb of capacity, while the HEMI V-8 with eTorque provides a highly capable 10,170 lb alternative. Standard features like Blind-Spot Monitoring with trailer coverage and available tech like trailer reverse steering control make towing easier and safer.

Visit Maple Ridge Chrysler Jeep Dodge to discuss which Ram 1500 configuration fits your towing needs. Our team can walk you through the trim and engine options and help you spec a truck that handles your specific loads.