How much can a 3500 diesel pull?

A 3500-class diesel pickup can generally tow about 15,000–25,000 pounds with a conventional bumper hitch and up to roughly 30,000–37,000 pounds with a gooseneck or fifth-wheel setup. The exact figure depends on the truck’s configuration, including engine, transmission, axle ratio, and added towing equipment.

Heavy-duty diesel pickups such as the Ram 3500 (Cummins), Ford F-350 (Power Stroke), and Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD (Duramax) are built for serious hauling. This article explains how those tow ratings are determined, what you should expect from current models, and how to plan loads safely.

Understanding the rating landscape

Tow ratings are published by manufacturers and reflect what the vehicle can safely pull when equipped with the proper hitch and trailer. There are two main categories most buyers will encounter: conventional towing and gooseneck/fifth-wheel towing. Conventional towing uses a bumper hitch and generally yields lower maximums, while gooseneck and fifth-wheel setups connect to the truck frame and deliver higher capacities for large trailers and heavy loads.

Before the lists, here is a quick breakdown of typical towing ranges you can expect from popular 3500 diesel pickups, depending on hitch type.

• Conventional towing (bumper hitch): roughly 15,000–25,000 pounds, depending on the truck’s configuration, including payload and weight-distribution capabilities.


• Gooseneck/Fifth-wheel towing: roughly 30,000–37,000 pounds, with the top configurations approaching 37,000 pounds or slightly higher in some model years.

These ranges reflect broad patterns across current Ram 3500, Ford F-350, and Chevy Silverado 3500HD offerings. Exact numbers for a given vehicle depend on the engine, transmission, axle gearing, and any towing-specific options like air suspension or integrated trailer braking systems.

What affects towing capacity

Several factors determine the actual towing capacity of any 3500 diesel. Here are the main ones:

• Engine torque and horsepower (e.g., Cummins or Power Stroke variants).


• Transmission type and axle gearing (final drive ratio).


• Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and payload capacity; the truck’s own weight and cargo matter.


• Hitch type and trailer setup (bumper vs gooseneck/fifth-wheel).


• Suspension and brake system upgrades, plus towing tech such as trailer brakes, sway control, and trailer backup assist.


• Vehicle configuration (crew cab vs single cab, bed length, and dual rear wheels, where applicable).

Understanding these factors helps buyers interpret the listed ratings and plan a safe, legal tow. Always verify the exact numbers for your vehicle’s year, trim, and equipment before hauling heavy loads.

Model considerations and best practices

Because tow ratings can shift with model year changes and option packages, rely on the official specification for your exact build. The following guidance is broadly applicable across recent 3500 diesels and is intended to help with planning and safety, not to replace a model’s published rating.

• Consult the precise tow rating and payload figure for your VIN in the owner’s manual or dealer documentation.


• When approaching the high end of a trailer’s weight, use a weight-distribution hitch (for conventional towing) and ensure your trailer has adequate brakes.


• For very heavy loads, a gooseneck or fifth-wheel setup generally provides the highest, safest towing performance.


• Factor in dynamic conditions such as hills, wind, and road surface; ratings assume typical conditions and standard equipment.

Maximizing safety and performance

To tow heavier loads with a 3500 diesel responsibly, consider these practical steps:

• Choose the appropriate hitch and towing configuration for the trailer type (bumper vs gooseneck/fifth-wheel).


• Use weight-distribution and trailer braking systems as required by the trailer and laws in your area.


• Ensure tires are rated for towing, properly inflated, and inspected for wear before trips.


• Perform a pre-tow safety check, including lights, brakes, and hitch connections.

Summary

In broad terms, a 3500 diesel pickup can haul in the mid-teens to mid-twenties of thousands of pounds with a conventional bumper hitch, and up to the high 20s to low 40s of thousands when equipped with gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailers (with top-end configurations approaching 37,000 pounds). The exact payload and tow rating depend on the specific truck, year, engine, transmission, axle ratio, and hitch setup. Always verify the exact ratings for your vehicle and plan loads within those limits to ensure safety and compliance on the road.

Bottom line: for serious towing, consult the manufacturer’s exact specifications for your year and configuration, and invest in proper towing equipment to match the trailer and trip requirements.

How much weight can a Ram 3500 diesel pull?

The maximum towing capacity for a Ram 3500 diesel is 37,090 pounds for 2024 models and 36,610 pounds for 2025 models, achieved with the High-Output 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel engine. This capability requires a specific configuration, including the high-output diesel engine, which also produces up to 1,075 lb-ft of torque.
 
This video explains the towing capacity of Ram 3500 diesel trucks: 59sGetty's GarageYouTube · Jan 13, 2025
Key towing capacities by model year

• 2025 Ram 3500: 36,610 pounds
• 2024 Ram 3500: 37,090 pounds
• 2023 Ram 3500: 37,090 pounds
• 2022 Ram 3500: 37,090 pounds 

What enables this capacity

• Engine: The High-Output 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I6 engine is required for maximum towing. 
• Torque: This engine produces a high torque output of 1,075 lb-ft, which is essential for heavy-duty towing. 

You can watch this video to see a Ram 3500 towing test: 1mThe Fast Lane TruckYouTube · Mar 18, 2025
Payload capacity

• The payload capacity is separate from towing capacity. For a 2024 model with the high-output diesel engine, the maximum payload is 6,560 pounds. 

How much weight can a 3500 truck pull?

A 3500 truck can pull anywhere from about 14,500 pounds up to over 36,000 pounds, depending on the specific model, engine, and configuration. A dual-rear-wheel (DRW) configuration with a high-output diesel engine can achieve the highest towing capacities, often exceeding 36,000 pounds for gooseneck trailers, while a standard 3500 with a gasoline V8 engine will have a lower capacity. 

Model	Maximum Towing Capacity	Notes
Chevy Silverado 3500 HD	Up to 36,000 lbs	With a gooseneck and a dual-rear-wheel (DRW) setup.
Ram 3500	Up to 36,610 lbs	With the high-output Cummins diesel engine and a gooseneck.
GMC Sierra 3500 HD	Up to 36,000 lbs	With a gooseneck, Regular Cab, 2WD, DRW setup, and Max Trailering Package.

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Factors that influence towing capacity:

• Engine: Diesel engines generally have higher towing capacities than gasoline engines, especially high-output diesel engines. 
• Configuration: A dual-rear-wheel (DRW) configuration provides more stability and a higher rating than a single-rear-wheel (SRW) configuration. 
• Towing method: The capacity is different for conventional towing (using a hitch) versus gooseneck or 5th-wheel towing. Gooseneck towing typically allows for the highest capacities. 
• Specific model and year: Towing capacities vary by manufacturer, model, and year, so always check the specific vehicle's ratings. 
• Payload: The weight of the trailer's tongue load is subtracted from the truck's total payload capacity. 

What is the 80% towing rule?

Many RVers are strict followers of the 80% or 80/20 rule of towing, and it's a great rule to live by if you want to ensure you don't overload your tow vehicle. The 80% towing rule is less of a “rule” and more of an idea: don't pull a trailer with a GVWR that is more than 80% of your vehicle's maximum towing capacity.

How much weight can a 3500 Duramax diesel pull?

The towing capacity for a 3500 Duramax depends on the specific configuration, but with the right setup, it can reach up to 36,000 pounds (gooseneck/fifth-wheel). Other configurations have lower capacities, such as up to 20,000 pounds conventional towing or 21,900 pounds with a single rear-wheel (SRW) model for a gooseneck hitch. The highest capacity requires the dual-rear-wheel (DRW) option, the Duramax engine, and the Max Trailering Package.
 
Towing capacity by configuration

• Maximum towing (36,000 pounds): Achieved with a dual-rear-wheel (DRW), Regular Cab, gooseneck hitch, and the Max Trailering Package.
• Conventional towing: Can reach up to 20,000 pounds with a DRW configuration.
• Gooseneck/fifth-wheel towing:
  • Dual-rear-wheel (DRW): Up to 31,580 to 36,000 pounds, depending on the cab style and if the Max Trailering Package is included.
  • Single-rear-wheel (SRW): Up to 21,900 to 22,430 pounds, depending on the cab style. 

Factors influencing towing capacity

• Dual-rear-wheel (DRW) vs. Single-rear-wheel (SRW): The DRW setup significantly increases towing capacity. 
• Cab style: Regular, Double, and Crew Cab configurations have different towing limits. 
• Drivetrain: Two-wheel drive (2WD) and four-wheel drive (4WD) options also affect capacity. 
• Towing package: The Max Trailering Package is required to achieve the highest 36,000-pound rating. 

Important to remember

• Always consult your owner's manual and the specific doorframe sticker on your truck for the exact towing capacity of your vehicle.
• The numbers above are for properly equipped models and may vary.