2016 Ram 2500 Towing Capacity Chart by Engine in 2026

The 2016 Ram 2500 towing capacity ranges from about 10,030 pounds to 17,980 pounds, depending on engine, cab, bed, drivetrain, axle ratio, and hitch setup.

The highest rating comes from a Regular Cab Long Box 4×2 with the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel, 68RFE automatic transmission, and 3.42 axle ratio. That setup is rated for up to 17,980 pounds of trailer weight in Ram’s official SAE J2807 towing chart.

That number does not apply to every 2016 Ram 2500. Payload, GCWR, tongue weight, pin weight, passengers, cargo, and hitch equipment all change the safe real world limit.

2016 Ram 2500 Towing Capacity Quick Answer

The strongest 2016 Ram 2500 configurations are not always the same trucks that carry the most payload. The 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel gives the highest trailer rating, while the 6.4L Hemi V8 often gives stronger payload because the gas engine weighs less.

For broader model year comparison, see our Ram towing capacity chart by year. That pillar helps compare the 2016 Ram 2500 against newer and older Ram HD trucks.

2016 Ram 2500 Towing Chart by Configuration

Use the chart below as the working reference, not a single advertised max tow number. The official Ram chart lists payload and max trailer weight as estimated values, rounded to the nearest 10 pounds.

The table shows why cab, bed, and drivetrain matter. A Regular Cab Cummins 4×2 can reach 17,980 pounds, but a Mega Cab 4×4 Cummins drops to 14,540 pounds because the truck itself is heavier.

How the 5.7L Hemi V8 Tows in 2016 Ram 2500

The 5.7L Hemi V8 is the lightest duty gas engine choice in the 2016 Ram 2500 lineup. In the official chart, its strongest listed setup is the Regular Cab Long Box 4×2 with the 4.10 axle, rated at 13,890 pounds.

That makes the 5.7L Hemi V8 suitable for lighter work trailers, utility trailers, small campers, and general HD truck use. It is not the best choice if the goal is maximum trailer weight.

If your Ram has the 5.7L Hemi V8, axle ratio is a major factor. The 4.10 axle gives the truck a much stronger trailer rating than the 3.73 axle in the same cab and bed setup.

For engine background, Truck Guider also has a dedicated 5.7L Hemi specs guide, which is useful if you are comparing Hemi platforms across Ram trucks.

How the 6.4L Hemi V8 Compares for Towing

The 6.4L Hemi V8 is the better gas engine when towing capacity matters. In 2016 Ram 2500 models, the top 6.4L Hemi V8 setup reaches 16,320 pounds with a Regular Cab Long Box 4×2 and 4.10 axle.

The 6.4L Hemi V8 also has a major payload advantage over many diesel configurations. The Regular Cab Long Box 4×2 6.4L Hemi V8 shows a payload rating of 3,990 pounds, while many 6.7L Cummins configurations sit closer to the low 2,000 pound range.

Choose the 6.4L Hemi V8 if you tow moderate trailers but carry more bed weight. This setup makes sense for equipment, tools, landscape trailers, construction loads, and owners who do not need diesel torque every day.

The Power Wagon is the exception. It uses the 6.4L Hemi V8, but its off road suspension and package weight reduce towing and payload sharply.

How the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel Tows

The 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel is the engine most buyers associate with heavy towing, but payload still matters. It gives the highest trailer rating in the 2016 Ram 2500 lineup, topping out at 17,980 pounds.

The automatic 68RFE version generally has a higher max trailer rating than the manual G56 version. For example, the Regular Cab Long Box 4×2 Cummins automatic is rated at 17,980 pounds, while the manual version is rated at 16,890 pounds.

The diesel advantage is pulling power and GCWR. The payload tradeoff comes from engine weight. That matters most with fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers because pin weight sits directly on the truck.

For more Cummins specific background, see our 6.7L Cummins engine diagram guide.

Why Payload Limits Real World Towing First

Payload is often the real limit on a 2016 Ram 2500, especially with fifth wheel trailers. Payload means how much weight the truck can carry on itself, not how much weight it can pull behind it.

Ram defines payload as GVWR minus base weight. GVWR means Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, which is the maximum allowed weight of the truck itself when loaded. GCWR means Gross Combined Weight Rating, which is the maximum combined weight of the truck and trailer.

Here is a simple example using a Crew Cab Long Box 4×4 with the 6.7L Cummins automatic. The chart lists 2,100 pounds of payload and 16,210 pounds of max trailer rating.

A fifth wheel at 12,000 pounds can place roughly 1,800 pounds on the truck at a 15 percent pin weight. Add a 250 pound fifth wheel hitch and that already reaches 2,050 pounds before passengers, cargo, tools, or accessories.

That is why a truck can be under its trailer rating but still be over payload. For deeper payload context, use our Ram payload capacity chart before matching a heavy RV.

Conventional Hitch vs Fifth Wheel and Gooseneck

The hitch type changes how much trailer weight presses on the truck. Ram’s official chart uses 10 percent tongue weight for conventional trailers and 15 percent for fifth wheel or gooseneck trailers.

That difference is large. A 12,000 pound bumper pull trailer is calculated around 1,200 pounds of tongue weight. A 12,000 pound fifth wheel or gooseneck is calculated around 1,800 pounds of pin weight.

Ram also limits the maximum tongue weight for the Class V receiver hitch to 1,800 pounds. That does not mean every trailer with 1,800 pounds of tongue weight is safe for every truck. You still need to stay within payload, rear GAWR, GVWR, and GCWR.

This is where the door sticker matters more than the brochure.

How To Find Your Exact 2016 Ram 2500 Rating

The safest way to confirm your number is to match the chart to your actual truck, not just the trim name. A 2016 Ram 2500 Crew Cab 4×4 and a Regular Cab 4×2 can have very different ratings.

Follow this process before towing:

1. Check the driver door jamb payload sticker.
2. Confirm the engine, either 5.7L Hemi V8, 6.4L Hemi V8, or 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel.
3. Confirm cab and bed, such as Regular Cab Long Box, Crew Cab Short Box, Crew Cab Long Box, or Mega Cab Short Box.
4. Confirm drivetrain, either 4×2 or 4×4.
5. Confirm axle ratio, usually 3.42, 3.73, or 4.10 depending on engine and configuration.
6. Match those details to the official Ram towing chart.
7. Subtract passengers, cargo, hitch weight, trailer tongue weight, and accessories from available payload.

You can also use a VIN or build sheet to confirm equipment. For that process, see our Ram towing capacity by VIN guide.

Which 2016 Ram 2500 Setup Should You Choose

The best 2016 Ram 2500 setup depends on whether trailer weight, payload, or operating cost matters most.

If you want the highest tow rating, choose the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel with the 68RFE automatic. The Regular Cab Long Box 4×2 is the highest listed configuration at 17,980 pounds.

If you want the strongest gas towing setup, choose the 6.4L Hemi V8 with the 4.10 axle. It reaches 16,320 pounds in the Regular Cab Long Box 4×2 setup and still gives strong payload.

If you tow a fifth wheel, do not shop by tow rating alone. Look at payload first because pin weight can use most of the truck’s available capacity.

If you want an off road focused HD truck, the Power Wagon is excellent off pavement but weaker for towing. Its 10,030 pound tow rating and 1,510 pound payload are much lower than standard 6.4L Hemi V8 4×4 configurations.

What Matters Most Before You Tow

The 2016 Ram 2500 towing capacity depends on exact configuration. The highest official rating is 17,980 pounds, but many Crew Cab, Mega Cab, 4×4, gas, diesel, and Power Wagon setups are lower.

Before towing, match your truck to the official chart and check the door sticker. Payload, GVWR, GAWR, GCWR, tongue weight, pin weight, hitch equipment, passengers, and cargo all matter.

The safe number is not just what the engine can pull. It is what your exact truck can carry and control with the trailer attached.

2016 Ram 2500 Towing Capacity FAQ

What Is The Max Towing Capacity Of A 2016 Ram 2500

The max towing capacity of a 2016 Ram 2500 is 17,980 pounds. That rating applies to a Regular Cab Long Box 4×2 with the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel, 68RFE automatic transmission, and 3.42 axle ratio.

How Much Can A 2016 Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins Tow

A 2016 Ram 2500 with the 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel can tow up to 17,980 pounds in its strongest configuration. Crew Cab and Mega Cab 4×4 versions are lower because they weigh more and carry less available payload.

How Much Can A 2016 Ram 2500 6.4 Hemi Tow

A 2016 Ram 2500 with the 6.4L Hemi V8 can tow up to 16,320 pounds. That rating applies to the Regular Cab Long Box 4×2 with the 4.10 axle ratio.

Is Payload Or Towing Capacity More Important

Both matter, but payload often becomes the real limit first. Fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers can place about 15 percent of trailer weight on the truck, which can use up payload before the trailer rating is reached.

Can A 2016 Ram 2500 Tow A Fifth Wheel

Yes, a 2016 Ram 2500 can tow a fifth wheel when properly equipped and kept within payload, axle, GVWR, and GCWR limits. Fifth wheel pin weight is the key number to check because it presses directly on the truck.