2025 Ram 1500 Towing Capacity by Engine: V6, Hemi V8 & eTorque Compared
Performance Dodge Blog · Ram 1500 Towing
How Much Can a 2025 Ram 1500 Tow?
The towing capacity of a Dodge Ram 1500 depends almost entirely on what is under the hood. For 2025, Ram made one of the biggest powertrain changes in the truck’s history, setting the HEMI V8 aside for a model year and leaning on the new 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six alongside the familiar 3.6L V6 with eTorque.
This guide compares each 2025 engine’s towing and payload ratings, explains what eTorque actually does, and shows where the HEMI V8 fits if you are shopping a 2024 or 2026 truck instead.
Engine choice decides how much a Ram 1500 can tow.
In This Article
Key Takeaways
- ✓The 3.0L Hurricane Standard Output tows up to 11,550 lbs, the 2025 maximum
- ✓The High Output Hurricane makes 540 hp and tows up to 9,920 lbs
- ✓The 3.6L V6 with eTorque tows up to 8,110 lbs and carries the most payload
- ✓The 5.7L HEMI V8 skipped 2025 and returned for 2026
- ✓eTorque adds a brief torque boost of up to 90 lb-ft on the V6
The 2025 Ram 1500 Engine Lineup
For the 2025 model year, the Ram 1500 offers three engines. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 with eTorque is the entry point, making 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft. The 3.0L Hurricane twin-turbo inline-six comes in two versions: a Standard Output engine with 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft, and a High Output engine with 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft. Every engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic.
The biggest change for 2025 was what was missing. The 5.7L HEMI V8, a Ram staple for two decades, was not offered in the 2025 Ram 1500. Ram brought it back for the 2026 model year, so buyers comparing model years now have more engine choices than ever.
What eTorque Actually Does
eTorque is a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that replaces the alternator with a belt-driven motor generator. It captures energy when you slow down, stores it in a compact battery pack inside the cab, and uses it to give the engine a brief boost as you pull away. On the V6, that boost is up to 90 lb-ft. On the HEMI V8, it is up to 130 lb-ft.
eTorque also smooths the engine stop-start system and helps fuel economy in traffic. It does not raise the published tow rating by itself, but it makes the truck feel stronger from a stop, which you notice with a trailer behind you.
The 3.0L Hurricane gives the 2025 Ram 1500 its highest tow rating.
2025 Ram 1500 Towing and Payload by Engine
Here is how the three 2025 engines compare when properly equipped. Your exact rating depends on cab, box, drivetrain, and axle ratio.
| Engine | Output | Max Towing | Max Payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L Hurricane Standard Output I6 | 420 hp / 469 lb-ft | 11,550 lbs | 1,980 lbs |
| 3.0L Hurricane High Output I6 | 540 hp / 521 lb-ft | 9,920 lbs | 1,520 lbs |
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 with eTorque | 305 hp / 269 lb-ft | 8,110 lbs | 2,370 lbs |
Maximum ratings for properly equipped 2025 trucks. Confirm exact numbers on the door-jamb labels and in Ram’s towing guide.
The Standard Output Hurricane is the towing leader of the 2025 lineup. The High Output engine is quicker, but it is aimed at performance trims and carries a lower tow rating. The V6 tows the least, yet it posts the highest payload because it is the lightest engine. You can see more detail on our 2025 Ram 1500 towing capacity page.
Why the Hurricane Six Tows Like a Bigger Engine
On paper, a 3.0-liter engine replacing a 5.7-liter V8 sounds like a step backward. In practice, the twin-turbocharged Hurricane makes more torque than the HEMI it replaced. The Standard Output version produces 469 lb-ft against the HEMI’s 410, and turbocharging spreads that pull across a broad stretch of the rev range. With a trailer behind the truck, that broad torque band means easier merges and fewer downshifts on grades.
The inline-six layout is naturally smooth, and its compact size leaves room for the turbochargers and cooling hardware. The tradeoff is the same one every gas truck faces: fuel economy drops sharply with a heavy trailer, so plan fuel stops accordingly on longer trips.
Ram 3.6 V6 Towing Capacity: Who It Suits
The Ram 3.6 V6 towing capacity of up to 8,110 pounds is more than many buyers expect from the base engine. That covers most small to mid-size boats, utility trailers, and plenty of travel trailers, especially for weekend trips to the shore or the Pine Barrens. The eTorque boost helps the V6 get a load rolling smoothly, and its 2,370-pound payload is the best in the 2025 lineup.
Where the V6 runs short is long highway grades with a heavy trailer. If your trailer weighs more than about 6,000 to 7,000 pounds loaded, or you tow often, the Hurricane gives you more headroom and a calmer drive. Our 2025 Ram 1500 trims guide shows which trims offer each engine.
Where the HEMI V8 Fits In
Used 2024 HEMI Trucks
Plenty of shoppers still want HEMI towing numbers, and there are two ways to get them. Used 2024 and earlier trucks with the 5.7L HEMI were rated to tow up to 12,750 pounds in their best configuration, a RWD Quad Cab with the Max Tow package and a 3.92 axle. That makes a late-model HEMI truck a strong used option for heavier trailers.
The 2026 HEMI Return
For 2026, the 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque returned with 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft, and Ram rates it to tow more than 11,000 pounds when properly equipped. If you want a new truck with a V8 rumble, compare the 2026 Ram 1500 with a 2025 Hurricane model. Our 2026 Ram 1500 vs. Ford F-150 comparison also covers the 2026 engine lineup in detail.
Towing Technology Worth Looking For
Engine ratings are only part of a good towing setup. Depending on trim and packages, the 2025 Ram 1500 offers technology that makes hitching and hauling less stressful, including an integrated trailer brake controller, camera views that help line up the hitch, and blind-spot monitoring that can account for the length of your trailer. Available four-corner air suspension can level the truck under load and lower it for easier hitching.
When you compare trucks, check which of these features are actually installed, since two trucks with the same engine can be equipped very differently.
How to Choose the Right Ram 1500 Engine for Towing
Use these pointers to match the engine to the way you tow:
- Pick the Hurricane Standard Output if you want the highest 2025 tow rating
- The V6 eTorque suits lighter trailers and buyers who value payload and price
- The High Output Hurricane puts performance first, with a lower tow rating
- Look at a 2024 or 2026 HEMI truck if you specifically want a V8
If you regularly tow more than about 10,000 pounds, it is worth looking up a class. Heavy fifth-wheels and equipment trailers belong behind a heavy-duty truck, and our Ram 1500 vs. Ram 2500 buying guide explains where that line falls.
Expert Insight: Match the Axle Ratio to the Trailer
Two Ram 1500s with the same engine can have tow ratings thousands of pounds apart because of the rear axle ratio and towing package. When you shop, ask which axle ratio the truck has and whether it includes the factory trailer tow group. Those details rarely show up in ads, but they make a real difference in how confidently the truck handles a loaded trailer.
Test Drive the Ram 1500 in Woodbury, NJ
Performance Dodge RAM stocks Ram 1500 trucks with a range of engines, so you can drive them back to back. Browse new Ram 1500 inventory, explore used Ram 1500 trucks if you want a 2024 HEMI, or review our Ram 1500 lease deals.
Our team will confirm the tow rating for any truck you are considering. You can also schedule a test drive or check the latest new vehicle specials before you visit.
Bringing It All Together
For 2025, the towing capacity 1500 Ram shoppers will find tops out at 11,550 pounds with the 3.0L Hurricane Standard Output. The High Output Hurricane tows up to 9,920 pounds, and the 3.6L V6 with eTorque tows up to 8,110 pounds while carrying the most payload. The HEMI V8 skipped 2025 but is available in 2024 and 2026 trucks.
For the full breakdown of engines, payload, and towing features, visit our 2025 Ram 1500 towing capacity page.
Find the Ram 1500 That Tows What You Need
Visit Performance Dodge RAM in Woodbury, NJ, to compare V6, Hurricane, and HEMI Ram 1500 trucks and confirm the right tow rating for your trailer.
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