Ram Payload Capacity Chart by Year (2019–2026): 1500, 2500 & 3500
Quick answer: For model years 2019 to 2026, Ram’s published maximum payload runs up to 2,370 lb on the Ram 1500, 4,580 lb on the Ram 2500 and 7,680 lb on the Ram 3500. Those are best-case numbers for one specific configuration each. Your own truck’s payload is printed on the driver’s door jamb, and it is usually lower.
The chart below puts every model year side by side. Find your year, then read the model section for engines, GVWR and towing.
Ram payload capacity chart by year (2019–2026)
| Model year | Ram 1500 | Ram 2500 gas (6.4L HEMI) | Ram 2500 diesel (Cummins) | Ram 3500 gas (6.4L HEMI) | Ram 3500 diesel (Cummins) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2,360 lb | 3,930 lb* | 3,600 lb (HO) | 7,590 lb | 6,050 lb (HO) |
| 2025 | 2,370 lb | 3,940 lb | 2,750 lb (HO) | 7,590 lb | 6,050 lb (HO) |
| 2024 | 2,300 lb | 4,000 lb | 3,150 lb | 7,680 lb | 6,830 lb |
| 2023 | 2,300 lb | 4,010 lb | 3,150 lb | 7,680 lb | 6,830 lb |
| 2022 | 2,300 lb | 4,010 lb | 3,150 lb | 7,680 lb | 6,830 lb |
| 2021 | 2,300 lb | 4,010 lb | 3,160 lb | 7,680 lb | 6,840 lb |
| 2020 | 2,300 lb | 4,010 lb | 3,160 lb | 7,680 lb | 6,840 lb |
| 2019 | 2,300 lb | 4,050 lb | 3,260 lb | 7,680 lb | 6,910 lb |
The 2026 Ram 2500 HEMI also lists up to 4,580 lb in Ram’s October 2025 chart, for trucks built with the 11,040 lb GVWR. See the 2500 section below.
What each number is: the 1500 figure is the best payload across engines, cabs and drivetrains for that year. The 2500 figures are for a 4×2 Regular Cab with the 8-foot box. The 3500 figures are for a 4×2 Regular Cab, 8-foot box, dual-rear-wheel (DRW) truck. “HO” is the High Output Cummins. Standard Output Cummins engines were dropped from Ram’s 2025 and 2026 charts, which is why the diesel numbers change after 2024.
Why the trend is not a straight line. Payload is GVWR minus curb weight. When Ram changes the GVWR on paper, or adds weight with a new engine or transmission, the payload moves without the truck changing much. The 2025 and 2026 heavy-duty trucks are the clearest case, and we explain it further down.
Ram 1500 payload capacity by year
| Model year | Max payload | Max towing | Engines |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2,360 lb | 11,610 lb | 3.6L V6 eTorque, 3.0L Hurricane SO and HO, 5.7L HEMI eTorque (returns) |
| 2025 | 2,370 lb | 11,570 lb | 3.6L V6 eTorque, 3.0L Hurricane SO and HO. No HEMI. |
| 2024 | 2,300 lb | 12,750 lb | 3.6L V6 eTorque, 5.7L HEMI eTorque, 6.2L supercharged HEMI (TRX) |
| 2023 | 2,300 lb | 12,750 lb | Same, plus 3.0L EcoDiesel (12,560 lb towing) |
| 2022 | 2,300 lb | 12,750 lb | Same, plus 3.0L EcoDiesel |
| 2021 | 2,300 lb | 12,750 lb | V6 eTorque, HEMI, EcoDiesel, TRX (new) |
| 2020 | 2,300 lb | 12,750 lb | V6 eTorque, HEMI, EcoDiesel (new) |
| 2019 | 2,300 lb | 12,750 lb | V6 eTorque, HEMI. All-new fifth-generation truck. |
2019–2024: Ram quoted “up to 2,300 lb” for the whole period, and its towing charts for 2022 to 2024 show it on a Tradesman Quad Cab 4×2 with the V6. The EcoDiesel’s best payload is 2,090 lb. The TRX is the low end at 1,310 lb (2022–2024 charts), with a 7,800 lb GVWR and 8,100 lb of towing.
2025: the change to the Hurricane engines raised the best payload to 2,370 lb, in a 3.6L V6 Quad Cab 4×2 at a 7,200 lb GVWR. The Hurricane Standard Output tops out at 1,980 lb (4×4 Quad Cab) and the High Output at 1,520 lb (RHO). Ram’s two versions of the 2025 sheet disagree on max towing by 20 lb (11,570 lb in the headline, 11,550 lb in one table row). We use the headline figure.
Ram 1500 Classic (2019–2024): the older-body truck was sold alongside the new one until late 2024. Ram’s 2022 Canadian brochure lists up to 1,930 lb of payload (V6 Quad Cab 4×2, 6,800 lb GVWR). There is no 2025 Classic.
2026 Ram 1500 payload by engine
The 5.7L HEMI V8 returns for 2026, so the Ram 1500 now offers four engines. Ram’s maximum payload and towing by engine:
| 2026 Ram 1500 engine | Output | Max payload | Max towing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 eTorque | 305 hp / 269 lb-ft | 2,360 lb | 8,130 lb |
| 3.0L Hurricane I6 Standard Output | 420 hp / 469 lb-ft | 1,930 lb | 11,610 lb |
| 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque | 395 hp / 410 lb-ft | 1,650 lb | 11,320 lb |
| 3.0L Hurricane I6 High Output | 540 hp / 521 lb-ft | 1,490 lb | 10,000 lb |
The pattern: the lightest engine carries the most. The HEMI and the High Output Hurricane give up payload for towing and power.
2026 Ram 1500 payload and GVWR by cab
Ram’s 2026 fleet guide gives the maximum payload and GVWR for each cab and drive combination:
| Cab / box | Drive | Max GVWR | Max payload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quad Cab, 6’4″ box (140.5″ wheelbase) | 4×2 | 7,200 lb | 2,360 lb |
| Quad Cab, 6’4″ box | 4×4 | 7,100 lb | 1,910 lb |
| Crew Cab, 5’7″ or 6’4″ box (6’4″ = 153.5″ wheelbase) | 4×2 / 4×4 | 6,900 / 7,100 lb | 1,730–1,980 lb |
A Quad Cab 4×2 with the V6 is the payload pick. A Crew Cab with a larger engine and a high trim (Limited, Tungsten) will sit well under these maximums.
For engine details, see our 3.0L Hurricane specs and 5.7 HEMI specs. Trim-by-trim 1500 numbers are in the Ram 1500 payload chart.
Ram 2500 payload capacity by year
| Model year | Gas max payload | Diesel max payload | Max towing (gas / diesel) | Engines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3,930 lb (up to 4,580 lb at 11,040 lb GVWR) | 3,600 lb | 17,750 / 20,000 lb | 6.4L HEMI; Cummins High Output |
| 2025 | 3,940 lb | 2,750 lb | 17,750 / 20,000 lb | 6.4L HEMI; Cummins High Output |
| 2024 | 4,000 lb | 3,150 lb | 17,720 / 20,000 lb | 6.4L HEMI; Cummins Standard Output |
| 2023 | 4,010 lb | 3,150 lb | 17,740 / 20,000 lb | Same |
| 2022 | 4,010 lb | 3,150 lb | 17,740 / 20,000 lb | Same |
| 2021 | 4,010 lb | 3,160 lb | 17,540 / 19,680 lb | Same |
| 2020 | 4,010 lb | 3,160 lb | 17,540 / 19,680 lb | Same |
| 2019 | 4,050 lb | 3,260 lb | 17,580 / 19,780 lb | 6.4L HEMI with new 8-speed; Cummins Standard Output |
Notes: the 2019 numbers come from Ram’s launch-year chart, which labels payload and towing as estimates. For 2024, Ram’s September 2023 chart shows 4,010 lb and 17,740 lb; its September 2024 chart shows 4,000 lb and 17,720 lb. For 2026, Ram’s capability page says 17,750 lb of towing and the October 2025 chart prints 17,740 lb. The Cummins High Output (430 hp / 1,075 lb-ft) became the only 2500 diesel in 2025. Before that, the 2500 had the 370 hp Standard Output engine and the High Output was a 3500 option.
Power Wagon: it stays at an 8,565 lb GVWR and carries far less: 1,570 lb in the 2025 and 2026 charts and 1,620–1,660 lb in 2019–2024 charts.
2026 Ram 2500 payload by cab, drive and GVWR
Ram’s 2026 heavy-duty chart shows how much the GVWR option changes the answer on the same truck. All numbers below are pounds of payload, 4×2 / 4×4.
| 2026 Ram 2500 | Crew Cab, 6’4″ box | Crew Cab, 8′ box | Regular Cab, 8′ box |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.4L HEMI, 9,900 lb GVWR | 3,500 / 3,210 | 3,360 / 3,020 | 3,830 / 3,510 |
| 6.4L HEMI, 10,000 lb GVWR | 3,610 / 3,320 | 3,470 / 3,110 | 3,930 / 3,630 |
| Cummins HO, 9,900 lb GVWR | 2,460 / 2,170 | 2,350 / 2,010 | 4×4 only: 2,450 |
| Cummins HO, 10,000 lb GVWR | 2,560 / 2,260 | 2,460 / 2,120 | 4×4 only: 2,550 |
| Cummins HO, 11,040 lb GVWR* | 3,600 / 3,300 | 3,500 / 3,160 | 4×4 only: 3,590 |
The 11,040 lb rows apply to trucks built with sales code Z2K, Z7G or Z3Y, per Ram’s chart footnote. The HEMI also lists an 11,040 lb option: Ram’s chart shows 4,580 lb for the 4×4 Regular Cab with the 8-foot box, with lower figures for the Crew Cab. Going from 4×2 to 4×4 costs about 260–360 lb of payload.
More engine details: 6.7 Cummins specs and 6.4 HEMI specs. Trim-level payload for the 2025 and 2026 2500 is in the Ram 2500 payload chart by trim, and older trucks are in the Ram 2500 payload chart (2018–2024).
Ram 3500 payload capacity by year
| Model year | Gas max payload | Diesel max payload | Max fifth-wheel / gooseneck towing (diesel) | Engines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7,590 lb | 6,050 lb (HO) | 36,610 lb | 6.4L HEMI; Cummins High Output |
| 2025 | 7,590 lb | 6,050 lb (HO) | 36,610 lb | 6.4L HEMI; Cummins High Output (new transmission) |
| 2024 | 7,680 lb | 6,830 lb (SO) / 6,560 lb (HO) | 37,090 lb | 6.4L HEMI; Cummins SO and HO |
| 2023 | 7,680 lb | 6,830 lb / 6,560 lb | 37,090 lb | Same |
| 2022 | 7,680 lb | 6,830 lb / 6,560 lb | 37,090 lb | HO now 420 hp / 1,075 lb-ft |
| 2021 | 7,680 lb | 6,840 lb / 6,570 lb | 37,100 lb | 6.4L HEMI; Cummins SO and HO |
| 2020 | 7,680 lb | 6,840 lb / 6,570 lb | 35,100 lb | Same |
| 2019 | 7,680 lb | 6,910 lb / 6,570 lb | 35,100 lb | Same; HO (400 hp / 1,000 lb-ft) launches |
Notes: every maximum is a DRW truck, and the gas figures are 4×2 Regular Cab with the 8-foot box. The 2025 and 2026 Cummins figure of 6,050 lb is the 4×4 Regular Cab DRW. A single-rear-wheel (SRW) 3500 is rated much lower. For 2021, Ram’s fact sheet says 35,100 lb of towing and its chart says 37,100 lb. Ram’s 2022 to 2025 catalogs footnote the 4×2 HEMI Regular Cab’s GVWR as 13,700–13,800 lb, while the same tables print 14,000 lb and 7,680 lb. Treat 7,680 lb as a ceiling and read the door label.
2026 Ram 3500 by drivetrain
| 2026 Ram 3500 | Max payload | Max towing |
|---|---|---|
| 6.4L HEMI, DRW, Regular Cab 8′ box, 4×2 / 4×4 | 7,590 / 7,200 lb | 18,150 lb (conventional) |
| 6.4L HEMI, DRW, Crew Cab 8′ box, 4×2 / 4×4 | 6,990 / 6,640 lb | n/a |
| Cummins HO, DRW, Regular Cab 8′ box, 4×4 | 6,050 lb | 36,610 lb |
| Cummins HO, DRW, Crew Cab 8′ box, 4×2 / 4×4 | 5,890 / 5,530 lb | n/a |
| 6.4L HEMI, SRW at 11,040 lb GVWR, Regular Cab 8′ box, 4×2 / 4×4 | 4,970 / 4,580 lb | n/a |
If you plan a slide-in camper or a heavy service body, a gas DRW 3500 carries the most. If you tow a large fifth-wheel, the Cummins has the towing headroom but less payload left for pin weight. See the Ram 3500 payload chart by year, which also covers the 2003–2018 trucks, and Ram 3500 dually towing capacity.
Why 2025 and 2026 heavy-duty payloads jumped
Between the early-2025 and late-2025 versions of Ram’s heavy-duty chart, the GVWR options on several trucks went up. There were no hardware changes. Payload rose because the GVWR did.
| Truck | 2025 early GVWR / payload | Later GVWR / payload |
|---|---|---|
| Ram 2500 Cummins HO, Crew Cab 6’4″ 4×2 | 10,190 lb / 2,750 lb | 11,040 lb / 3,600 lb (+850 lb) |
| Ram 3500 HEMI SRW, Regular Cab 8′ 4×2 | 10,750 lb / 4,680 lb | 11,040 lb / 4,970 lb (+290 lb) |
Ram’s 2026 chart flags the 11,040 lb rows as applying to trucks built with sales code Z2K, Z7G or Z3Y. Press reports, including TFLtruck’s, put the switch around spring 2025. Towing ratings did not change.
What it means for you:
- Two 2025 Ram 2500 diesels can carry different amounts. A truck built before the change keeps its older GVWR and sticker.
- Never assume a used truck’s payload from a chart. Read the door sticker.
- A trailer that fits a newer truck can overload an older one. A 12,000 lb fifth-wheel at 20% pin weight puts 2,400 lb on the truck. That fits a 2026 Crew Cab 4×4 Cummins (3,300 lb of payload), but not the same truck at the old rating (2,450 lb).
GVWR, curb weight and payload: how the numbers fit
- GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating): the most the loaded truck may weigh. That is the truck, fluids, people, cargo and trailer tongue weight together. It is a legal limit set by Ram.
- Curb weight: the truck empty, with standard equipment and full fluids.
- Payload: what is left for you.
Payload = GVWR − curb weight
Example: a 2026 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4×2 has a 7,200 lb GVWR. A 2,360 lb payload means that build weighs about 4,840 lb. Add 4×4, a bigger engine, a sunroof or a high trim, and the curb weight rises, so the payload falls.
GVWR options at a glance (2026):
| Model | GVWR range |
|---|---|
| Ram 1500 | 6,900–7,200 lb |
| Ram 2500 | 8,565 lb (Power Wagon), 9,900, 10,000, 10,190 and up to 11,040 lb |
| Ram 3500 | 11,040 to 12,300 lb (SRW), 14,000 lb (DRW) |
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) is a separate limit: truck plus loaded trailer. It matters for towing, not for what goes in the bed. Our Ram towing capacity chart by year covers it. Curb weights by configuration are in the Ram 1500 curb weight chart.
Where to find your Ram’s exact payload
- Open the driver’s door. Look on the door frame (B-pillar) for the yellow-and-white Tire and Loading Information label. It says: “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs.” That number is your truck’s payload as built.
- Find the Safety Certification label next to it. It lists the GVWR and the front and rear GAWR (axle ratings).
- Check the window sticker or build sheet if the label is damaged. A VIN decoder also works. Our VIN location guide shows where to find the VIN, and the Ram towing and payload by VIN tool looks up ratings.
Options added after the truck left the factory are not included in the sticker number. That includes a bed cover, a heavy bumper, a winch or a toolbox. Subtract their weight yourself.
How to calculate what you can still carry
Start with the door-jamb payload, then subtract everything you add:
- Driver and passengers
- Cargo in the cab and bed
- Aftermarket accessories
- Trailer tongue weight. A conventional trailer typically puts 10–15% of its weight on the hitch. A fifth-wheel or gooseneck puts 15–25% on the pin.
Worked example: 2026 Ram 2500 Cummins HO, Crew Cab 6’4″ 4×4, 11,040 lb GVWR (3,300 lb payload in Ram’s chart).
| Item | Weight |
|---|---|
| Two adults and two kids | 520 lb |
| Tools, cooler, gear | 250 lb |
| Tonneau cover and bed mat | 80 lb |
| Fifth-wheel camper, 12,000 lb, at 20% pin weight | 2,400 lb |
| Total | 3,250 lb |
That leaves 50 lb of margin. The truck is legal, but at the limit, and a high trim with a lower sticker number could be over. A heavier camper, or one more passenger, puts it over. In that case, the safer choice is a 3500 or a lighter trailer.
What changes a Ram’s payload rating
- Engine. Heavier engines add curb weight and cut payload. The 2026 Ram 3500 shows it clearly: 7,590 lb with the gas HEMI against 6,050 lb with the Cummins.
- Cab and box. A Regular Cab weighs less than a Crew Cab or Mega Cab, and a 6’4″ box weighs less than an 8′ box. See the Ram bed size chart for box dimensions.
- 4×4. The transfer case, front axle and front driveshaft add weight. On the 2026 Ram 2500 Cummins, that costs about 300 lb.
- GVWR option. The same 2500 Cummins Crew Cab 4×2 is rated for 2,460 lb at a 9,900 lb GVWR and 3,600 lb at 11,040 lb, per Ram’s chart.
- Trim and options. Limited and Longhorn trims weigh more than a Tradesman, so they carry less.
- Single vs dual rear wheels. On the 3500, dual rear wheels allow the highest rear axle rating and the 14,000 lb GVWR.
- Axle ratio mostly changes towing, not payload. See the Ram axle ratio chart.
Can you raise payload? Not legally. Airbags or helper springs can level a loaded truck and improve stability, but they do not change the GVWR on the door label. See air bags for the Ram 2500.
Which Ram should you choose for your load?
| Your regular load | Choose |
|---|---|
| Up to about 1,500 lb (family, gear, light trailer) | Ram 1500. Pick the Pentastar or Hurricane SO if payload matters. |
| 1,500–3,000 lb (camper tongue weight, tools, small slide-in) | Ram 2500 |
| 3,000–6,000 lb (big fifth-wheel pin weight, heavy slide-in camper) | Ram 3500, DRW for the top end |
| Over 7,000 lb, or a service body or flatbed | Ram 3500 DRW, or a Ram Chassis Cab |
Ram’s Chassis Cab models (3500, 4500, 5500) are built for upfits such as flatbeds and service bodies, and they carry the most of all.
Ram trucks before 2019
This chart covers the fifth-generation trucks, 2019 to 2026. For earlier Rams, use the model pages: the Ram 3500 payload chart by year goes back through the earlier generations, the Ram 2500 payload chart covers 2018 on, and the Ram 1500 payload chart covers the 1500 by trim.
Frequently asked questions
How much weight can a Ram 1500 carry?
Up to 2,360 lb for 2026, in a V6 Quad Cab 4×2, and up to 2,370 lb for 2025. Crew Cab 4×4 trucks top out between about 1,490 and 1,980 lb, depending on engine and box. Check your door sticker for the exact number.
How much weight can a Ram 2500 carry?
Up to 3,930 lb with the 6.4L HEMI, or up to 3,600 lb with the Cummins diesel, for 2026. A Crew Cab 4×4 Cummins at the 11,040 lb GVWR is rated at 3,300 lb in Ram’s chart.
How much weight can a Ram 3500 carry in an 8-foot bed?
Up to 7,590 lb on a 2026 gas Ram 3500 with dual rear wheels. A Cummins 3500 tops out at 6,050 lb, and single-rear-wheel trucks are rated lower.
Which year of Ram has the highest payload?
For the 3500, 2019 to 2024 (7,680 lb gas). For the 2500, the 2019 HEMI (4,050 lb), unless you count the 2026 HEMI with the 11,040 lb GVWR option (up to 4,580 lb in Ram’s chart). For the 1500, 2025 (2,370 lb).
Where is the payload rating on a Ram 2500?
On the Tire and Loading Information label on the driver’s door frame. It reads “occupants and cargo should never exceed … lbs.” The GVWR and axle ratings are on the Safety Certification label beside it.
What is the GVWR of a Ram 2500 and a Ram 3500?
For 2026, the Ram 2500 goes up to 11,040 lb and the Ram 3500 up to 14,000 lb. Your truck’s exact figure is on its door label.
Can a Ram 1500 tow 10,000 lb?
Yes, if it is configured for it: the 2026 Ram 1500 tows up to 11,610 lb. Payload is the limit to watch, though. A 10,000 lb trailer puts about 1,000–1,500 lb on the hitch, which uses most of a Crew Cab’s payload before anyone gets in.
Does payload include passengers and fuel?
Payload includes every person and everything you load. A full tank of fuel is already in the curb weight, so it does not come out of your payload.
What happens if I exceed the payload?
Braking distances grow, handling suffers, and the tires, springs and axles are overloaded. Exceeding the GVWR can also be illegal and can affect insurance and warranty claims.
Is there a 2026 Ram TRX?
Ram’s 2026 Ram 1500 lineup does not list the TRX. Its payload was 1,310 lb in the 2022 to 2024 charts. For past TRX ratings, see our Ram TRX towing capacity guide. For the Rebel, see Ram Rebel towing capacity.
Related Ram guides
- Ram 1500 payload capacity chart
- Ram 2500 payload capacity chart (2018–2024)
- Ram 2500 payload capacity chart by trim
- Ram 3500 payload capacity chart by year
- Ram 1500 curb weight chart
- Ram 1500 towing capacity chart by year
- Ram 2500 diesel towing capacity
- Ram 1500 engine options by year
- Ram 1500 tailgate weight limit
- Ram 3500 6.4 HEMI weight
How we checked these numbers
Every figure comes from Ram or Stellantis documents. For 2025 and 2026 we used Ram’s payload and towing sheets: the 2025 Ram 1500 sheet, the 2025 Ram heavy-duty sheet and the 2026 Ram heavy-duty sheet. The 2026 Ram 1500 engine maximums come from Stellantis Media’s “What’s New for 2026: Ram 1500”, and payload by cab from the 2026 Ram 1500 fleet buyer’s guide.
For 2019 to 2024 we used Ram’s heavy-duty towing charts (2019 Ram 2500, 2019 Ram 3500, 2024 Ram 2500/3500), the Ram 1500 launch release for 2019 and Stellantis’ 2023 Ram 1500 press kit.
Ram publishes “properly equipped” maximums. Your truck’s door label is the final word.
Last updated: October 2026
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