Having a heavy-duty truck means being able to tow a lot more weight than a mid-size or a half-ton. But are they powerful enough to pull a fifth wheel behind them? If you own a Dodge Ram 2500 and wonder if this pickup is up for the job, we can help you. We researched this truck from multiple professional sources, so you'll know for sure what it is capable of hauling behind it.
The 2022 Dodge Ram 2500 can tow up to 20,000 pounds if properly equipped. This makes it powerful enough to pull all lightweight and mid-profile fifth wheels. It will also be able to tow most luxury fifth wheels.
Now that we know that the Dodge Ram can pull up to 20,000 pounds, we'll take a closer look at what each Ram 2500 trim level can do. You might also be wondering what the strongest truck on the market is today or what happens if you exceed your truck's towing capacity. For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what our research has uncovered.
How much a Dodge Ram 2500 can tow by trim level?
As we pointed out earlier in this post, a properly equipped Dodge Ram 2500 can tow 20,000 pounds. To have that high of a towing capacity, you'll need it to be properly outfitted with the 6.7L turbo-diesel engine for the job. You'll also need to have the correct trim level and cab/bed configuration.
Below is what each trim level is capable of towing for the 2022 model year:
- The 2022 Dodge Ram 2500 Tradesman can tow up to 15,050 pounds [6.4L V8] and 19,990 [6.7L diesel].
- The 2022 Dodge Ram 2500 Big Horn can tow up to 15,050 pounds [6.4L V8] and 19,990 [6.7L diesel].
- The 2022 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie can tow up to 14,930 pounds [6.4L V8] and 19,990 [6.7L diesel].
- The 2022 Dodge Ram 2500 Power Wagon can tow up to 10,590 pounds [available in the 6.4L V8 only].
- The 2022 Dodge Ram 2500 Limited Longhorn can tow up to 14,880 pounds [6.4L V8] and 19,990 [6.7L diesel].
- The 2022 Dodge Ram 2500 Limited can tow up to 14,640 pounds [6.4L V8] and 19,990 [6.7L diesel]
The Dodge Ram 2500 will be able to tow most fifth wheels behind it. But you'll need to be sure what your exact model is rated for towing, as they vary by trim level and engine type. But even the trim with the lowest towing capacity will still be capable of towing 10,590 pounds, enough to pull all models of lightweight fifth wheels.
How much weight can I put in the bed of a Dodge 2500?
The amount of weight you can bring onboard a vehicle is known as its payload capacity. This is any weight in addition to the curb weight. It includes the weight of all cargo in the bed and the combined weights of all the riders in the cab.
Each Dodge 2500 trim level will have a different payload capacity. The engine it is equipped with will also impact how much payload it can carry. Here is the maximum payload by trim level for the 2022 model year:
- The 2022 Dodge Ram 2500 Tradesman has a payload capacity of up to 4,010 pounds.
- The 2022 Dodge Ram 2500 Big Horn has a payload capacity of up to 3,940 pounds.
- The 2022 Dodge Ram 2500 Laramie has a payload capacity of up to 3,530 pounds.
- The 2022 Dodge Ram 2500 Power Wagon has a payload capacity of 1,630 pounds.
- The 2022 Dodge Ram 2500 Limited Longhorn has a payload capacity of up to 3,350 pounds.
- The 2022 Dodge Ram 2500 Limited has a payload capacity of up to 3,100 pounds.
Before you haul a heavy load, be sure to know what the exact payload limitations are for your vehicle. Exceeding this limit will cause damage to your truck's frame, tires, and suspension. It can also put too much strain on the transmission and engine, shortening the useful life of your vehicle.
What is the strongest truck on the market today?
The honor of being the world's strongest passenger truck belongs to Dodge. Their 1500 TRX is equipped with a 6.0-liter supercharged HEMI V8. It produces a mind-blowing 702 horsepower and 650-foot pounds of torque.
The TRX can run from zero to 60 miles per hour in only 3.7 seconds. It has a top speed of 118 mph. While not having the distinction of being the fastest Dodge truck overall, it is the most powerful.
What is the fastest Dodge Ram truck?
When it comes to the Dodge Ram, you might think of heavy-duty hauling and not give any consideration to speed. While Ram models are on par with others in their class for acceleration and overall speed, there is one model that blows all trucks from every automaker out of the water: The Ram SRT-10.
This machine was built with an 8.3-liter naturally aspirated V10 engine. It's the same one found in the speedy Dodge Viper. The engine performed at 500 horsepower and a mind-blowing 525-foot pounds of torque.
The 2004 model year for the SRT-10 was rated by the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest production model truck. NASCAR driver Brendan Gaughan reached a speed of 154.587 mph, setting a new record.
What happens if I exceed my truck's towing capacity?
Should you be tempted to tow beyond your vehicle's towing capacity, know that doing so will not only put your vehicle in jeopardy but also will be putting you and your passengers in harm's way. An excellent general rule is to stick within 10 percent UNDER the maximum towing capacity to stay on the safe side.
Going beyond what your vehicle can safely tow will create many issues that include:
Transmission damage
Your transmission is a tough machine, but it has its limits. If it is pulling more weight than it is geared for, it will try to overcompensate, resulting in lagging in the shifting and other issues. Transmissions that pull a lot more weight than they are built for can fail or will wear out long before they should.
Too much weight makes it harder to drive
The entire vehicle is placed under more strain than it can handle, making it harder to drive. You'll find that accelerating is a challenge and that braking to a stop can be dangerously clumsy. Turning will also be more difficult.
This doesn't even begin to illustrate the damage to your tires and suspension system, which are also only rated for so much weight to pull. Damaging these components will not only make it a more challenging drive but also result in irreversible damage or a severe accident.
Your radiator won't be able to keep up
The radiators are built to cool the engine, transmission, and other working parts under your hood. But it can only do so much, too. If you are towing more than you are rated for, the radiator won't be able to cool as quickly as it needs to. This can cause your vehicle to overheat and damage what it has been engineered to protect.
In conclusion
The 2022 Dodge Ram 2500 is a powerful machine that has been created to tow a magnificent amount of weight behind it. This pickup is capable of pulling most fifth wheels.
Just pay close attention to the weight of what you are towing and be sure that you stay under 10% of your overall towing capacity to avoid damage to your vehicle and bodily harm to yourself and those you share the road with. Drive safe!
If you found this post on the Dodge Ram 2500 to be helpful, we encourage you to read the following posts on this popular truck manufacturer:
Ram 2500 Tradesman Vs. Big Horn Vs. Laramie —Which Is Right For You?