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What is the towing capacity of a Ram 3500 vs 4500 vs 5500?

In brief, the Ram 3500 generally offers the highest towing capability among the three models, especially when paired with a gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailer. The 4500 and 5500 are commercial chassis‑cab trucks with strong pulling power, but their conventional (bumper hitch) towing figures are typically lower than the Ram 3500 in many configurations. Exact numbers depend on engine, axle ratio, cab/bed setup, and whether you’re pulling with a single rear wheel or dual rear wheels. The following reflects typical maxima for current production lines and serves as a guide; consult Ram’s official spec sheets for your exact year/config.

Ram 3500

The Ram 3500 is the one‑ton pickup in Ram’s lineup and is designed for very heavy trailer towing, especially with the diesel engine and appropriate hitch setup.

Before listing the capacities, note that the figures below reflect common upper bounds for typical configurations in recent model years. Actual numbers vary with engine choice, axle ratio, cab/bed configuration, and whether the truck uses a single rear wheel (SRW) or dual rear wheels (DRW).

Conventional towing (bumper hitch): up to approximately 14,000–20,000 pounds.

Gooseneck/Fifth‑wheel towing: up to about 37,100 pounds (maximums shown by many recent Ram spec sheets).

In practice, the exact conventional and gooseneck capacities depend on the specific build, including diesel vs gasoline, cab/bed combination, and axle gearing. Always verify the exact rating for your configuration from Ram’s official documentation.

Ram 4500

The Ram 4500 is a commercial‑grade chassis cab that prioritizes payload and heavy towing in a different footprint from the pickup line. It is built to handle demanding vocational tasks and towing demands typical of medium‑duty work trucks.

Before listing the capacities, note that the figures below reflect common upper bounds for typical configurations in recent model years. Actual numbers vary with engine choice, axle ratio, and whether the truck is configured for SRW/DRW and specialized body setups.

Conventional towing (bumper hitch): roughly 20,000–25,000 pounds (varies by configuration).

Gooseneck/Fifth‑wheel towing: up to around 30,000–34,000 pounds (depending on the specific build).

As with the 3500, the precise ratings depend on the exact engine, drivetrain, and body configuration. Always consult the official spec sheet for your intended build.

Ram 5500

The Ram 5500 sits higher in the commercial lineup and is designed for heavy‑duty towing and vocational applications, often paired with specialized bodies and upfits.

Before listing the capacities, note that the figures below reflect common upper bounds for typical configurations in recent model years. Actual numbers vary with engine choice, axle ratio, and whether the truck is configured as SRW or DRW along with upfits.

Conventional towing (bumper hitch): approximately 25,000–30,000 pounds (subject to configuration).

Gooseneck/Fifth‑wheel towing: up to about 32,000–35,000 pounds (depending on the build).

Again, the exact ratings depend on the engine, axle, and upfitting. For precise figures, reference Ram’s official specifications for the specific year and configuration you’re considering.

Factors that affect towing capacity

Several elements determine the actual towing capacity you’ll see on the label or in a spec sheet. These factors can push capacity up or down by thousands of pounds depending on the configuration.

Engine choice (gas vs diesel) and horsepower/torque output

Transmission type and gearing (axle ratio)

Chassis type (pickup vs chassis cab) and the presence of dual rear wheels

Wheelbase and hitch type (bumper hitch vs gooseneck/fifth-wheel)

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and payload considerations

How to check the official numbers

To get the precise towing capacity for your exact Ram 3500, 4500, or 5500 configuration, follow these steps:

Identify the model year, engine, transmission, axle ratio, and rear‑axle configuration (SRW vs DRW).

Visit Ram’s official website or the owner’s manual for the spec sheet for that exact build.

Check the “Towing” or “Capacities” section for both conventional and gooseneck/fifth‑wheel ratings.

If you’re planning a heavy load, confirm the trailer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and ensure you stay within the truck’s payload and towing limits.

Summary

Among Ram’s heavy‑duty lineup, the 3500 typically offers the highest towing capability, especially for gooseneck/fifth‑wheel setups, with maximum figures commonly cited around the mid‑30,000s and up to roughly 37,100 pounds in gooseneck/fifth‑wheel configurations. The 4500 and 5500 are commercial chassis‑cab trucks whose conventional towing capacities generally sit lower than the 3500 in many configurations, though their gooseneck/fifth‑wheel capabilities can also reach the upper 30,000s depending on the build. Because towing capacity depends heavily on engine, axle ratio, cab/bed configuration, and hitch type, always refer to the exact spec sheet for your year and configuration to get precise numbers. If you share the year and engine you’re considering, I can pull the most current, configuration‑specific figures.

What is the towing capacity of the Ram 5500?

The Ram 5500's maximum towing capacity can reach up to 34,540 to 35,220 pounds, depending on the model year and specific configuration. This high capacity is achieved with the available 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel engine. The towing capacity varies based on factors like engine choice, drivetrain, and optional equipment.

You can watch this video to see a Ram 5500 towing a heavy load: 57sV-BELT and SONYouTube · Mar 29, 2024

Maximum Towing Capacity: Up to approximately 35,220 pounds when properly equipped.
Key Factors: The exact capacity depends on the specific configuration, including the engine (6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel is required for maximum towing) and other options.
Payload Capacity: The maximum payload capacity can reach up to 12,510 to 12,550 pounds.

What is the difference between a Ram 3500 and 5500?

The main differences are that the Ram 5500 is a more heavy-duty commercial-grade chassis cab truck with a significantly higher payload capacity, a stronger frame, and commercial-grade components like larger brakes and axles, while the Ram 3500 is a heavy-duty pickup that generally offers higher horsepower and towing capacity for its engine options and has a more comfortable ride. The 5500 is built for commercial work and hauling heavier loads on the truck itself, whereas the 3500 is better suited for towing large trailers and offers more luxury features.

Feature	Ram 3500	Ram 5500
Primary Use	Heavy-duty pickup for towing and hauling	Commercial chassis cab for upfitting and carrying heavy loads
Payload Capacity	Lower (e.g., up to 7,680 lbs)	Significantly higher (e.g., up to 12,510 lbs)
Towing Capacity	Often higher than the 5500, depending on configuration	Lower than the 3500 in some configurations
Frame	Strong, but not as heavy-duty as the 5500	Thicker, more robust frame
Axles and Brakes	Smaller components, designed for comfort and typical pickup use	Larger, commercial-grade components, including bigger brakes and axles
Ride Quality	Smoother, more comfortable ride	Firmer, less comfortable ride due to heavier-duty suspension
Engine Performance	Can have higher horsepower in some configurations	Generally has lower horsepower in comparable configurations

What is the towing capacity of the Ram 3500 vs 4500?

The Ram 4500 has a significantly higher towing capacity than the Ram 3500, with the 4500 reaching up to approximately 30,000 pounds and the 3500 topping out at around 25,680 pounds when properly equipped. The Ram 4500 is built for heavier-duty commercial applications, featuring a more robust frame, suspension, and higher Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) to handle larger, more demanding loads.
You can watch this video to see a review comparing the Ram 3500 and 4500: 54sAdventure EndeavorYouTube · Dec 10, 2024

Feature	Ram 3500	Ram 4500
Maximum Towing Capacity	~25,680 lbs	~29,440 lbs to 30,000 lbs
Frame and Suspension	Smaller, more maneuverable	More robust for heavy loads
Typical Use	General heavy-duty towing	Heavy-duty commercial and industrial towing
GCWR	Up to 30,000 lbs	Up to 32,500 lbs to 37,500 lbs

What is the towing capacity of the Ram 4500 vs 5500?

The Ram 5500 has a higher maximum towing capacity than the Ram 4500, with the 5500 reaching up to 34,540 lbs and the 4500 topping out at about 29,440 lbs (for 2025 models). The 5500's greater capability is due to a more robust frame and higher-rated components like its axles.
This video discusses the differences between the Ram 4500 and 5500, including towing and payload capacities: 1mJB ReviewsYouTube · Dec 7, 2022

Feature	Ram 4500	Ram 5500
Maximum Towing Capacity	Up to 29,440 lbs (2025)	Up to 34,540 lbs (2025)
Maximum Payload Capacity	Up to 9,390 lbs (2025)	Up to 11,960 lbs (2025)
Maximum GCWR	37,500 lbs (2020)	43,000 lbs (2020)
Underlying Hardware	Strong components and chassis	Stronger frame and higher-rated components, including axles

Towing: The primary difference is towing capacity, with the 5500 designed for heavier loads.
Payload: The 5500 also has a higher maximum payload capacity.
Components: The 5500 has a beefier frame, axles, and suspension system to handle its higher capacity.

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.