2025 Ram 2500 Towing Capacity: The Definitive Guide

The heavy-duty truck segment is a battleground of titans, and for 2025, the Ram 2500 enters the fray with significant updates designed to enhance its capability and refinement. Featuring a restyled exterior and interior, the 2025 model introduces a formidable new High-Output Cummins® Turbo Diesel engine paired with a sophisticated eight-speed automatic transmission. For truck buyers, the ultimate question remains: how much can it tow?

The 2025 Ram 2500 boasts a maximum towing capacity of 20,000 pounds when properly configured. However, that headline number is just the beginning. A truck’s true capability is a complex interplay of engine choice, drivetrain, cab size, bed length, and axle ratio. This guide provides the most detailed breakdown available, using official specifications and data to help you understand every factor that influences the 2025 Ram 2500’s towing and payload ratings.

2025 Ram 2500 Maximum Capabilities at a Glance

For those who need the top-line numbers immediately, this table summarizes the peak performance figures for each available powertrain.

Under the Hood: A Deep Dive into the 2025 Ram 2500 Powertrains

The heart of any heavy-duty truck is its engine. For 2025, Ram offers two distinct powerplants, each tailored to different workloads and priorities. The choice between them dictates not only the truck’s maximum pulling power but also its payload capacity and driving dynamics.

The Proven Workhorse: 6.4L HEMI® V8 Engine

Standard across most of the Ram 2500 lineup is the venerable 6.4L HEMI® V8 gasoline engine. For 2025, it produces 405 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a smooth-shifting TorqueFlite® 8-speed automatic transmission. This engine is known for its responsive acceleration and is often quicker in unladen, around-town driving compared to its diesel counterpart.

While the diesel engine grabs headlines for towing, the HEMI V8 is the key to unlocking the Ram 2500’s maximum payload capacity. Its lighter weight compared to the diesel powertrain means more of the truck’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is available for cargo in the bed and cab. This makes it the ideal choice for contractors, landscapers, and anyone who hauls heavy materials in the bed rather than on a trailer. Ensuring proper maintenance of HEMI engines is crucial for longevity, especially under heavy use.

The Torque King: All-New High-Output 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel I6

The biggest news for the 2025 Ram Heavy Duty lineup is the introduction of a new High-Output 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel I6 engine, paired exclusively with an all-new TorqueFlite® HD eight-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain is an engineering marvel, delivering a staggering 430 horsepower and a best-in-class standard 1,075 lb-ft of torque.

The addition of the new eight-speed transmission is a strategic move that fundamentally improves the truck’s performance and efficiency. This advanced transmission features more than 40 individual shift maps to optimize performance under any load condition.

More importantly, this powertrain combination allows the Ram 2500 to achieve its maximum tow ratings with a more fuel-efficient 3.42 rear axle ratio—a task that previously required a shorter, less efficient 4.10 ratio. This provides a significant advantage for drivers who tow heavy but also spend considerable time cruising on the highway.

For those who rely on this legendary motor, understanding the specific needs of the 6.7L Cummins engine is key to its long-term performance.

2025 Ram 2500 Engine Specification Comparison

This table offers a side-by-side technical comparison of the two available engines.

2025 Ram 2500 Towing Capacity: The Complete Breakdown

A truck’s maximum tow rating is not a single number but a range that depends on several critical factors. The weight of the truck itself—influenced by cab size, bed length, and the 4×2 vs. 4×4 drivetrain—directly impacts how much it can pull.

A heavier truck configuration reduces the amount of weight available for the trailer, as both must stay within the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).

2025 Ram 2500 Towing Capacity by Full Configuration

The following table synthesizes all available data to provide a definitive guide to the 2025 Ram 2500’s conventional towing capacity based on its complete configuration.

The Axle Ratio Factor: Performance vs. Efficiency

The axle ratio is a critical component that multiplies the torque delivered to the wheels. Choosing the right ratio is a trade-off between pulling power and fuel efficiency.

• 3.73 Axle Ratio: This is the standard ratio for HEMI-equipped trucks and offers a balanced performance profile for mixed-use driving and moderate towing.
• 4.10 Axle Ratio: Available as an option on HEMI models, this “power” gear provides maximum torque multiplication for the best off-the-line pulling power. It is required to achieve the HEMI’s peak 17,750-pound tow rating, but this results in higher engine RPMs at highway speeds.
• 3.42 Axle Ratio: Standard on Cummins-equipped models, this “efficiency” gear allows for lower engine RPMs during highway cruising. Thanks to the massive torque of the new H.O. diesel and the gearing of the new 8-speed transmission, this ratio can now be used to achieve the truck’s 20,000-pound maximum tow rating.

Understanding Payload Capacity: Hauling vs. Pulling

While often confused with towing, payload capacity is a distinct and equally important metric. It dictates how much weight a truck can safely carry in its cab and bed.

What is Payload Capacity? (And Why It’s Not Towing)

Payload capacity is the maximum weight of all cargo and passengers that a vehicle can carry. This includes everything from tools in the bed to people in the cab, plus the downward force exerted by a trailer’s tongue on the hitch. It is calculated by subtracting the truck’s curb weight (its empty weight) from its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which is the maximum safe operating weight of the vehicle itself.

The reason the gas-powered Ram 2500 has a higher payload capacity is simple: the 6.4L HEMI® V8 engine and its associated components are significantly lighter than the 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel powertrain. This heavier diesel engine consumes more of the truck’s GVWR budget, leaving less capacity available for payload.

Therefore, buyers must make a crucial choice: optimize for maximum in-bed hauling with the HEMI or for maximum trailer-pulling with the Cummins.

2025 Ram 2500 Maximum Payload Capacity by Configuration

This table details the maximum payload for each Ram 2500 configuration, illustrating the trade-off between engine choice and hauling capability.

Decoding the Lingo: A Guide to Towing Weights (GVWR, GCWR & More)

To tow safely and legally, it is essential to understand the key weight ratings determined by the manufacturer. Exceeding these limits can lead to mechanical failure, reduced vehicle control, and accidents.

Key Terms You MUST Know Before Towing

• Curb Weight: The weight of the truck with all standard equipment and a full tank of fuel, but without any passengers or cargo.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The maximum allowable weight of the fully loaded truck, including its curb weight, all passengers, cargo in the cab and bed, and the trailer’s tongue weight. This is a critical safety rating for the truck’s frame, axles, suspension, and brakes.
• Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): The maximum allowable weight of the fully loaded truck and the fully loaded trailer combined. The GCWR is the ultimate limit that determines your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity.
• Tongue Weight: The downward force that the trailer’s coupler places on the hitch ball. It is typically 10-15% of the total trailer weight for a conventional trailer and should be considered part of the truck’s payload.

Ram 1500 Maximum Towing Capacity by Year & Engine (lbs)

Smart Muscle: Towing Technology in the 2025 Ram 2500

Beyond raw power, the 2025 Ram 2500 is equipped with an arsenal of advanced technology designed to make towing safer, easier, and more convenient.

• Digital Rearview Mirror with Tow Mode: This available feature uses a rear-facing camera to provide a clear, unobstructed view behind the truck, even when the cabin or bed is full or a tall trailer is attached.
• 360° Surround View Camera with Trailer Reverse Guidance: This system provides a bird’s-eye view of the truck and its surroundings, along with a view of both sides of the trailer, making it easier to navigate tight spaces and align the hitch.
• Trailer Reverse Steering Control: This feature simplifies the often-tricky process of backing up a trailer. The driver simply rotates a dial on the dashboard in the direction they want the trailer to go, and the system automatically controls the steering wheel.
• Uconnect 5 with Trailer Tow Pages: The new, largest-in-class available 14.5-inch touchscreen houses the Uconnect 5 system, which includes dedicated Trailer Tow Pages. This app centralizes critical information like trailer light checks, trailer brake status, and available trailer tire pressure monitoring. These systems, combined with features like ParkSense and other driver aids, provide a comprehensive suite of tools for confident trailering.
• Power Telescoping Trailer Tow Mirrors: These available mirrors can extend outward to provide a wider field of view around the trailer and can be equipped with power-folding, heating, and integrated camera functions.

Heavy-Duty Showdown: 2025 Ram 2500 vs. The Competition

No truck exists in a vacuum. The 2025 Ram 2500 goes head-to-head with the Ford F-250 and Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD. While Ram has focused on a holistic powertrain upgrade, its competitors have pushed their own boundaries, particularly in the realm of peak torque figures.

The Ford F-250’s High-Output Power Stroke® diesel engine boasts a class-leading 1,200 lb-ft of torque on paper. The Chevrolet Silverado 2500’s Duramax diesel produces 975 lb-ft of torque. Ram’s 1,075 lb-ft slots it firmly between its rivals. However, the story is more complex than a single number. Ram’s strategy with the new 8-speed transmission is to optimize the delivery of that power.

The press release highlights a “70% increase in torque delivery,” improved 0-60 mph times, and the ability to use a more efficient axle ratio for maximum towing. This suggests a focus on real-world drivability and efficiency, arguing that how the power gets to the ground is as important as the peak number generated by the engine.

2025 Heavy-Duty Truck Towing & Power Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the maximum towing capacity of the 2025 Ram 2500?

The 2025 Ram 2500 can tow a maximum of 20,000 pounds when equipped with the High-Output 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel engine, a Crew Cab, 8′ box, and 4×2 drivetrain.6

Which Ram 2500 engine is better for towing?

For the heaviest loads (approaching 20,000 pounds), the High-Output 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel is the definitive choice due to its massive 1,075 lb-ft of torque. For moderate loads under 17,750 pounds, the 6.4L HEMI® V8 is a very capable and more affordable option.

What is the payload capacity of the 2025 Ram 2500?

The 2025 Ram 2500 has a maximum payload capacity of up to 4,420 pounds. This is achieved with the 6.4L HEMI® V8 engine in a Regular Cab 4×2 configuration.

Do I need a special hitch to tow 20,000 pounds?

Yes. According to official Ram documentation, a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch is required for towing trailers that weigh more than 18,000 pounds.

How does the Ram 2500 compare to the Ford F-250 for towing?

The 2025 Ford F-250 offers a higher maximum gooseneck towing capacity of up to 23,000 pounds with its High-Output Power Stroke® diesel. However, the Ram 2500 offers a higher maximum gas payload capacity and focuses on overall powertrain efficiency with its new 8-speed transmission.

What’s new for the 2025 Ram 2500?

Key updates for 2025 include a new High-Output 6.7L Cummins® engine, a new TorqueFlite® HD 8-speed automatic transmission, a redesigned interior with the largest-in-class available 14.5-inch touchscreen, and new advanced towing and safety technologies.