It isn't easy to know whether or not a truck can pull a toy hauler because toy haulers have such variable weights. Further, it's sometimes even difficult to understand the actual towing capacity of particular trucks. For example, how much can the Ram 1500 haul, and is it enough to pull a toy hauler? We researched the Ram and the average weights of toy haulers to provide you with an answer here.
The Ram 1500 is capable of towing most toy hauler RVs, with a few restrictions. The towing capacity of the Ram 1500 depends on which engine is under the hood. On the low end, the stock V6 engine of the Ram 1500 will allow you to tow small-sized toy haulers like the inTech Flyer. But on the high end, the 5.7-liter Hemi V8 engine option will give you the power to pull large toy haulers like the Stryker Travel Trailer or the CrossRoads Altitude SL.
That's the basic answer for the possibility of towing a toy hauler with a Ram 1500. But, there is more you should know. In the rest of this post, we will discuss the towing capabilities of the Ram 1500 in greater detail. This examination of the Ram 1500 will cover everything from engine types to extra towing packages.
Can a Dodge Ram 1500 Pull a Toy Hauler?
In short, the Dodge Ram 1500 can pull a toy hauler, but it depends on that toy hauler's weight. Thankfully, a wide range of engine options available for Ram 1500 opens up the possibilities for towing toy haulers.
The more powerful the engine, the higher the Ram's towing capability. But, what truly matters is the weight of the RV. So, we'll talk more about engines later because we first need to talk about toy haulers.
Toy haulers have a wide range of weight possibilities because of their nature. A toy hauler is an RV with a garage area in the back to store large cargo like motorcycles or kayaks. Not only do they carry the extra weight of all of your vacation "toys," but they also carry all the same weight as regular RVs. This weight includes everything from fuel and food to passengers.
Small Toy Haulers and the Ram 1500
So, toy haulers can be especially heavy, which can make hauling them a challenge. Fortunately for smaller trucks, toy haulers do come in smaller models that are much lighter, like the inTech Flyer. The smallest engine of the Dodge Ram 1500, which has a towing capacity of 7,730 lbs, is perfectly capable of pulling a fully-loaded inTech Flyer toy hauler.
But what we want to know is how the Dodge Ram 1500 handles towing toy haulers in general. That means we need to look at more than small-size toy haulers. But, if you want to find some more examples of lightweight toy haulers, check out this post: 6 Small And Lightweight Toy Hauler RVs Under 5,000 Lbs.
Large Toy Haulers and the Ram 1500
The larger end of toy haulers can get heavy. Some models like the Forest River Sandstorm are around 40 feet in length and weigh nearly 15,000 lbs. Unfortunately, even the most powerful engine on the Ram 1500 won't be able to pull an RV like the Sandstorm. That engine is the 5.7L V8, and it maxes out at a towing capacity of 12,750 lbs.
But within that weight range of 7,730 and 12,750 lbs, there are a lot of excellent toy haulers that the Ram 1500 can handle. For example, the Stryker Travel Trailer by Cruiser RVs has a maximum weight of 9,196 lbs. Even though it's not as heavy as the Sandstorm, it's still a large toy hauler with plenty of features and capabilities.
Another example of a toy hauler that the Dodge Ram 1500 can handle is the CrossRoads Altitude SL. The Altitude SL has a gross vehicle weight rating of 9,442 lbs, well under the maximum towing capacity of the Ram 1500. The Altitude is an RV that you'll always be able to safely tow with a Ram 1500 packing the V8 Hemi engine.
What's important to remember is that not all versions of the Dodge Ram 1500 can pull a 9,000+ pound RV. The primary factor that decides the towing capability is the engine type. So, let's discuss the engine options for the Ram 1500 in a little more detail.
Which Engines are Available for the 2020 Ram 1500?
We've already mentioned two engine types for the 2020 Dodge Ram 1500, but there are four engine styles total. According to the specs page on ramtrucks.com, each of the four engines is powerful, but not all are equal in towing capacity. Here is a breakdown of all four engines:
3.6-Liter V6
The 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine with Etorque is the standard motor on the Dodge Ram 1500. This V6 engine has 305 horsepower and 269 foot-pounds of torque.
Additionally, it uses cutting-edge tech to deliver efficiency and power. As for towing capacity, Dodge Ram 1500's outfitted with this engine will be able to two up to 7,730 lbs. That's enough capability for smaller toy haulers.
5.7-Liter Hemi V8
The second strongest engine available for the 2020 Dodge Ram 1500 is the 5.7L Hemi V8. This V8 has 395 horsepower and 410 foot-pounds of torque, which is stronger than engine number one.
This engine has a towing capacity of 11,610, which is quite the jump from Ram's stock V6. This towing capacity will allow you to tow all small toy haulers and many big ones.
3.0-Liter Ecodiesel V6
Engine number three immediately shows us that fuel type is more important for towing than body type or engine type. The 3.0L Ecodiesel V6 has only 260 horsepower but 480 foot-pounds of torque. That very torque gives the Dodge Ram a towing capacity of 12,560 lbs.
5.7-Liter Hemi V8 Etorque
The 5.7L Hemi V8 Engine with Etorque is similar to engine number two on our list, but there is an added internal technology package with the Etorque functionality. This functionality helps enhance overall performance.
This Hemi V8 has 395 horsepower and 410 foot-pounds. Altogether, this engine in a Dodge Ram 1500 can tow 12,750 lbs.
Which Ram 1500 Engine is the Best for Towing?
If towing is the most crucial aspect of owning a pickup truck for you, then one engine on the Ram 1500 is just what you need. Out of all four engines, the 5.7L Hemi V8 with Etorque is the best for towing. The 12,750 lbs of towing capacity will support most RVs, including toy haulers. But also, the towing capacity can handle most trailers, boats, and other heavy loads as well.
Ram's website has an excellent webpage that shows all information on towing as it relates to the Dodge Ram.
What is Included in Dodge Ram Tow Package?
If you want to get the most towing capability from a Dodge Ram truck, you'll need to add an upgrade. Some Dodge Rams at certain dealerships will have the Trailer Tow Group option available for selection. This add-on is the closest thing to a tow package that you will find with the Dodge Ram.
The feature comes with an upgraded hitch and technology that improves the connectivity between the truck and the trailer. For example, blind-spot monitoring adjusted to the length of the trailer.
What is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating?
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, or GVWR for short, is a measurement we refer to often when discussing RVs. This rating shows the manufacturer-predicted maximum weight of a vehicle or RV. You can find the GVWR by adding the RV's dry weight to the weight of any potential passengers and cargo.
The gross vehicle weight rating is the most important number to consider when deciding if your vehicle can tow an RV. For example, let's take a look at the CrossRoads Altitude SL. The Altitude has a dry weight of 5,992 lbs and a payload capacity of 3,540 lbs. When you combine those two weights, you get a total of 9,442 lbs, which is the RV's GVWR.
Is Dodge Ram 1500 a Half-Ton Truck?
The 2020 Dodge Ram is more than just a half-ton truck. Typically, trucks are named ton, half-ton, etc., because of their towing capacity. If a truck has at least a 1,000 towing capacity, then it's a one-tone truck. The 2020 Dodge Ram has a towing capacity that is far greater than 1,000, even in the smallest available engine.
In Closing
While the 2020 Dodge Ram 1500 might not be able to tow a fully-loaded 40-foot long toy hauler, it can hold its own with most RVs. To get the most towing power out of our 1500, make sure you choose the 5.7L Hemi V8 engine. But if you need even more power from a Dodge truck, check out the Ram 2500 or 3500 versions.
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