How much weight can a 3500 truck pull?

The towing capacity of a 3500-series heavy‑duty pickup varies widely by model year, engine, drivetrain, and hitch type. In general, you can expect conventional bumper-pull towing in the low to mid hundreds of pounds in the thousands, and gooseneck/fifth-wheel towing in the upper range—tens of thousands of pounds. For an exact figure, check the specific configuration of your vehicle.

What “3500” means in today’s pickups

Vehicles labeled as 3500 are part of the heavy‑duty pickup line, often marketed as 3/4‑ton or “one‑ton” class in the United States. These trucks offer stronger frames, heavier axles, and more powerful engines than light‑duty pickups, and their towing numbers depend on the exact build (engine choice, axle ratio, transmission, and family of towing packages). The official rating for any given truck is published by the manufacturer and appears on the door placard and in the owner’s manual.

Key factors that determine towing capacity

Several variables determine how much you can pull with a 3500‑class truck. The following factors interact to set the maximum safe tow weight for your specific configuration.

• Engine and drivetrain: A diesel engine or higher‑output gasoline option often yields higher towing capability than lower‑output variants.


• Axle ratio: Steeper gears (e.g., 3.73, 4.10, or higher) typically improve pulling power and trailer stability, especially on hills.


• Transmission and cooling: Transmission design, torque capacity, and cooling play a role in sustained towing performance.


• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): These ratings cap how much weight the truck and trailer together can weigh safely when loaded.


• Hitch type and configuration: Conventional bumper‑pull hitches have different limits than gooseneck or fifth‑wheel setups.


• Payload capacity: The truck must be able to carry the weight of the trailer tongue, hitch hardware, and cargo without exceeding its payload rating.

Understanding these factors helps avoid situations where a truck is asked to tow more than its design can safely handle, which can affect braking, handling, and tire wear.

Typical ranges by configuration

The following ranges provide a sense of what many modern 3500‑class pickups can tow, depending on whether you’re using a conventional bumper hitch or a gooseneck/fifth‑wheel setup. Exact numbers vary by model year and option packages; always verify with the manufacturer’s towing guide for your exact build.

• Conventional bumper‑pull towing: roughly 12,000 to 25,000 pounds, depending on engine, gears, and payload capacity.


• Gooseneck or fifth‑wheel towing (the heaviest‑duty configurations): commonly up to about 30,000 to 37,000 pounds, depending on the model and package.

In practice, most daily‑driving and typical trailer jobs fall toward the lower end of these ranges, with the upper end reserved for specialized heavy‑haul configurations and properly set up gooseneck/fifth‑wheel trailers. Always confirm the exact rating for your truck and trailer combination before towing.

Model snapshots: what top brands offer (highlights)

Ford F-350 Super Duty

Ford’s latest F‑350 Super Duty lineup offers strong gooseneck/fifth‑wheel capacity, with numbers commonly cited around the mid‑30,000s pounds for the heaviest configurations. Conventional towing (bumper pull) generally sits in the tens of thousands, with exact figures depending on engine, axle ratio, and towing package. For precise limits, consult the specific model year’s towing guide.

Ram 3500

Ram’s 3500 with the Cummins diesel is renowned for high gooseneck/fifth‑wheel ratings, often approaching the mid‑to‑high 30,000s pounds. Conventional towing is typically lower, varying with drivetrain and available packages. As always, the exact rating depends on your chosen options.

Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD

Chevrolet’s Silverado 3500HD offers substantial gooseneck/fifth‑wheel capacity and competitive bumper‑pull ratings. The highest figures appear in the gooseneck category, with conventional towing lower but still substantial, contingent on configuration and packages.

How to determine your exact capacity for your truck

To determine the precise towing capacity for your specific 3500, take the following steps. These steps help ensure you don’t exceed what your truck and trailer can safely handle in real‑world conditions.

1. Check the manufacturer’s towing guide for your exact model year and configuration to note the official max towing rating for both conventional and gooseneck/fifth‑wheel setups.


2. Look at the door jamb sticker (GVWR and GAWR) and calculate payload capacity by subtracting curb weight from GVWR.


3. Find the GCWR (gross combined weight rating) in the owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s site to determine the maximum combined weight of vehicle, passengers, cargo, and trailer.


4. Compute the maximum trailer weight: GCWR minus the actual curb weight of the truck; adjust for payload to ensure you’re within both gross and payload limits.


5. Consider hitch type, trailer brake requirements, and braking capacity of the tow vehicle and trailer; heavier trailers often require integrated trailer brakes and appropriate hitch equipment.

These steps help you translate published ratings into a practical, safe towing plan that matches your needs and road conditions.

Bottom line

There isn’t a single number that defines how much weight a 3500 truck can pull. The practical answer rests on the specific build and how you intend to tow. For bumper‑pull work, many 3500‑class pickups offer acceptable towing in the 12,000–25,000 pound range; for gooseneck or fifth‑wheel duties, you’ll often see ratings in the 30,000–37,000+ pound zone. Always rely on the official rating for your exact truck, and plan around GCWR, payload, and hitch requirements rather than chasing a single maximum figure.

Summary: A 3500‑series pickup’s tow capacity is highly configuration‑dependent, spanning a broad range from roughly 12,000–25,000 pounds for conventional towing to about 30,000–37,000+ pounds with gooseneck/fifth‑wheel setups. Check the exact model year, engine choice, axle ratio, and hitch type, and consult the manufacturer’s towing guide to determine your precise limit.

How many pounds can a 3500 truck pull?

A 3500 truck can pull anywhere from about 18,000 pounds up to a maximum of 37,090 pounds, depending on the specific model, engine (especially the diesel option), and configuration, such as having a dual rear wheel (DRW) setup. A properly equipped 2022 RAM 3500 with the high-output Cummins diesel can pull the highest amount, while some Chevy and GMC 3500 models can tow around 20,000 pounds with a conventional hitch or up to 36,000 pounds with a fifth-wheel/gooseneck setup. 
Examples of 3500 truck towing capacities:

• Chevy Silverado 3500: Can tow up to 36,000 pounds with the right configuration (gooseneck/fifth-wheel, Duramax diesel, DRW). 
• GMC Sierra 3500: Offers a maximum towing capacity of 36,000 pounds when properly equipped (gooseneck, regular cab, 2WD, DRW, Duramax diesel). 
• RAM 3500: The high-output 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel can pull up to 37,090 pounds, while the 6.4L HEMI V8 gas engine can tow up to 18,150–18,210 pounds. 
• Ram 3500 Chassis Cab: Has a maximum towing capacity of 18,000 pounds. 

How much weight can a 3500 Silverado pull?

The Chevy 3500's towing capacity varies significantly based on configuration, with a maximum of 36,000 pounds for a properly equipped dual rear wheel (DRW) model and a maximum of around 20,000 pounds for conventional towing. Single rear wheel (SRW) models have a lower capacity, while DRW models offer higher payload and towing numbers, particularly when using a 5th-wheel or gooseneck hitch. 
Maximum capacities

• Maximum 5th-wheel/gooseneck towing: Up to 36,000 lbs (with a DRW and the Max Trailering Package) 
• Maximum conventional towing: Up to 20,000 lbs (with a DRW) 

This video explains how to hitch a gooseneck trailer to a Chevy Silverado 3500: 54sJB ReviewsYouTube · Sep 6, 2019
Factors influencing towing capacity

• Rear wheels: Dual rear wheel (DRW) models have significantly higher towing and payload capacities than single rear wheel (SRW) models due to increased traction and a higher gross vehicle weight rating. 
• Engine: The 6.6L Duramax turbo-diesel engine provides the highest towing numbers, while the 6.6L V8 gas engine still offers substantial towing capacity. 
• Hitch type: 5th-wheel and gooseneck hitches allow for the highest towing capacities compared to conventional hitches. 
• Configuration: Body style (regular, double, or crew cab) and specific packages, like the Max Trailering Package, can adjust the final towing maximum. 

This video shows the difference in towing capacity between a Chevy 2500 and 3500: 59sJB ReviewsYouTube · Mar 25, 2025

What is the towing capacity of the Ram 2500 vs 3500?

The Ram 3500 has significantly higher towing and payload capacities than the Ram 2500. The 2500's maximum towing capacity is around 20,000 pounds, while the 3500 can tow up to 37,100 pounds with the high-output Cummins engine. The 3500 is built for the heaviest hauls, while the 2500 offers a balance of towing capability and a more comfortable ride for general use. 

Feature	Ram 2500	Ram 3500
Max Towing Capacity	~20,000 lbs	Up to 37,100 lbs
Max Payload Capacity	~4,000 lbs	Up to 7,680 lbs
Standard Engine	6.4L HEMI V8	6.4L HEMI V8
Available Diesel Engine	6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel	6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel or High-Output version
Best for	Everyday tasks and moderate towing needs	Heavy fifth-wheel trailers, commercial-grade equipment, and maximum towing demands

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What is the payload of a 3500 vs 4500?

The 3500 Chassis Cab has a maximum payload capacity of 7,680 pounds, while the 4500 Chassis Cab can handle up to 9,990 pounds. This means the 4500 Chassis Cab is better suited for commercial applications requiring heavier loads, such as construction or landscaping.