Ram TRX Towing Capacity – Specs by Model Year (2021-2024)

The Ram 1500 TRX stormed onto the scene as the undisputed apex predator of the pickup truck world. With a supercharged V8 heart pumping out a jaw-dropping 702 horsepower, its reputation for raw power and off-road dominance is legendary.¹ But for any serious truck owner, the ultimate question always comes down to utility: beyond the blistering 0-60 times and desert-conquering suspension, can the TRX do real work?

This guide provides the definitive answer. For those seeking the bottom line, the Ram TRX has a maximum conventional towing capacity of 8,100 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of around 1,310 to 1,360 pounds across all model years from its 2021 debut to its 2024 finale.

While these figures are respectable, they don’t tell the whole story. The TRX is a specialized machine where every component is optimized for high-speed off-road performance, creating a unique set of trade-offs that directly impact its towing capabilities. We will explore the engineering behind these numbers, from its powerhouse engine and reinforced frame to the critical weight ratings and specialized suspension that define its strengths and limitations as a tow vehicle.

Ram TRX Towing & Payload Specs by Model Year (2021-2024)

The first generation of the Ram 1500 TRX was produced from the 2021 to the 2024 model year, with its final V8-powered edition rolling off the line in early 2024. Throughout this production run, the core powertrain and capability specifications remained remarkably consistent, anchored by the legendary Supercharged 6.2L HEMI® V8 engine.

This consistency means that whether you are looking at a 2021 launch edition or a 2024 final edition, the fundamental towing and payload ratings are the same.

It is important to note the slight variations in payload capacity figures. While most official and third-party sources like Edmunds and Car and Driver cite a payload of 1,310 lbs or 1,360 lbs, some early dealership materials for the 2021 model listed a higher capacity of 1,404 lbs.

This minor difference can be attributed to calculation methods or specific equipment packages. For any specific truck, the most accurate payload rating is always found on the Tire and Loading Information sticker located on the driver’s side door jamb.

The Power Behind the Pull: Deconstructing the 702-HP Supercharged HEMI V8

The heart of the Ram TRX is its engine: the legendary 6.2L Supercharged HEMI® V8, often referred to by its “Hellcat” lineage. This powerplant is the most powerful factory-installed engine ever in a half-ton pickup, producing an astounding 702 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. This raw power translates into breathtaking acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time as low as 3.7 seconds and a governor-limited top speed of 118 mph.

From a towing perspective, this engine is more than capable. The twin-screw supercharger provides what Ram describes as “near instantaneous torque,” which is crucial for getting a heavy trailer moving from a complete stop. The massive reserves of horsepower and torque ensure that the engine is never strained, even when pulling an 8,100-pound load up a steep grade.

However, the engine’s immense power is not the determining factor for the TRX’s towing capacity. A standard Ram 1500 equipped with the 5.7L HEMI® V8 with eTorque produces 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque, yet it can be configured to tow up to 12,750 pounds—over 4,500 pounds more than the TRX. This apparent contradiction reveals a critical truth about the TRX’s design: its towing capacity is not limited by its engine, but by other components engineered for a very different purpose.

Understanding Key Weight Ratings: GVWR, GCWR, and Curb Weight

To fully grasp the TRX’s towing capabilities, it is essential to understand the key weight ratings that govern safety and legality. These numbers are more important than the advertised towing capacity alone.

• Curb Weight: This is the weight of the truck with all standard equipment and fluids, but without any passengers or cargo. The Ram TRX is a heavy vehicle, with a curb weight of approximately 6,440 pounds.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): This is the maximum permissible weight of the fully loaded truck. This includes the curb weight plus the weight of all passengers, cargo in the cab and bed, and the tongue weight of the trailer. The TRX has a GVWR of 7,800 pounds.
• Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): This is the maximum permissible weight of the fully loaded truck and the fully loaded trailer combined. For the TRX, the GCWR is 15,160 pounds.

The most critical and often overlooked aspect of towing is the relationship between payload capacity and trailer tongue weight. For stable towing, a conventional trailer’s tongue weight should be 10-15% of the total trailer weight. This tongue weight is carried directly by the truck and must be subtracted from its payload capacity.

For the TRX, this calculation reveals its true towing limitation. If you tow a trailer at the maximum 8,100-pound capacity, the tongue weight will be approximately 810 pounds (10%). Subtracting this from the TRX’s maximum payload of 1,360 pounds leaves only 550 pounds for the driver, passengers, and any other gear in the truck.

A driver and three adult passengers could easily exceed this remaining capacity, making the truck legally overloaded and unsafe, even though the trailer is within the advertised “towing capacity.” This makes payload management the single most important consideration for any TRX owner who plans to tow.

The Off-Road Compromise: How TRX Suspension Sacrifices Towing for Performance

The primary reason for the TRX’s relatively modest towing and payload ratings is its highly specialized suspension system. It is engineered not for hauling heavy loads, but for absorbing massive impacts at high speeds in harsh desert environments.

The TRX is equipped with a sophisticated long-travel suspension featuring Bilstein® Black Hawk® e2 adaptive performance shocks. This system provides more than 13 inches of front and 14 inches of rear suspension travel, allowing the truck to glide over terrain that would cripple a standard pickup.

However, the very characteristics that make this suspension brilliant off-road—its softness and long range of motion—are detrimental to stable towing. A heavy trailer tongue weight will cause the soft rear coil springs to compress significantly, a phenomenon known as “squat”. This unwanted compression lifts the front of the truck, which can reduce the traction of the front tires, negatively affecting steering control and braking effectiveness.

Because of this “squishy” suspension behavior, using a weight-distribution hitch is an absolute necessity when towing any trailer approaching 5,000 pounds or more with a TRX. This type of hitch uses spring bars to leverage weight off the truck’s rear axle and distribute it to the front axle and the trailer’s axles, helping to level the entire rig and restore safe handling dynamics.

Built for Punishment: The Reinforced Frame of the Ram TRX

Another area where the TRX differs significantly from its stablemates is its frame. While it is based on the standard Ram 1500 architecture, sources report that the TRX’s frame is approximately 74-75% different, utilizing higher-strength steel and significant reinforcements throughout.

It is crucial to understand the purpose of these enhancements. The frame was not strengthened to increase payload or towing ratings. Instead, it was engineered for extreme durability and impact resistance. Ram’s engineers designed the TRX with the explicit goal of it being able to be jumped repeatedly without suffering structural failure.

This focus on dynamic, high-impact strength is a different engineering priority than designing a frame to handle the sustained, static load of a heavy trailer and its tongue weight. According to an in-depth analysis by the frame is significantly stronger to handle the unique stresses of high-speed off-road abuse.

Towing Showdown: Ram TRX vs. Ford F-150 Raptor

No discussion of the TRX is complete without comparing it to its arch-rival, the Ford F-150 Raptor. In the world of super-trucks, these two are the undisputed heavyweights. When comparing their ultimate V8-powered versions, the specs are incredibly close.

While the horsepower and torque figures are nearly a wash, the Ford F-150 Raptor R holds a slight but notable advantage in utility. It can tow up to 8,700 pounds, 600 pounds more than the TRX, and offers a slightly higher maximum payload capacity.²⁶ For buyers cross-shopping these two titans, this difference in capability could be a deciding factor.

Real-World Hauling: What Can a Ram TRX Actually Tow?

With a capacity of 8,100 pounds, the Ram TRX is well-equipped to handle a wide variety of recreational loads. Practical examples of what a TRX can comfortably and safely tow include:

• A mid-size travel trailer (e.g., a 25-foot bunkhouse model weighing around 7,000 pounds loaded).
• A typical ski boat, wakeboard boat, or pontoon boat on its trailer.
• A flatbed or enclosed car hauler with a sports car, UTVs, or ATVs.

However, there is a significant real-world caveat that every potential tower must consider: fuel economy. The TRX’s supercharged V8 is notoriously thirsty, with an EPA rating of just 10 MPG in the city and 14 MPG on the highway. When towing a heavy, aerodynamically unfriendly trailer, owners report that this figure plummets to an abysmal 3-4 MPG.

This not only makes towing expensive, requiring premium fuel, but also severely limits range. With a 33-gallon fuel tank, a stop for fuel may be required every 100-130 miles, a major logistical consideration for long-distance trips.

Before hitching up any trailer, it is vital to review fundamental safety protocols. A complete guide to safe towing practices can provide invaluable information on proper loading, hitching, and on-road procedures.

High-Tech Hauling: A Look at the TRX’s Smart Towing Features

Beyond its brute strength, the TRX is a modern truck equipped with a suite of advanced technologies designed to make towing safer and less stressful.

• Tow Mode: The TRX features multiple selectable drive modes, including a dedicated Tow mode. This setting adjusts the transmission’s shift logic, throttle response, and the adaptive suspension’s damping to provide greater stability and control when a trailer is attached.
• Trailer Reverse Steering Control (TRSC): This available feature simplifies the often-tricky process of backing up a trailer. The driver can take their hands off the steering wheel and use a dedicated knob on the center console to steer the trailer, while the truck automatically controls the steering inputs. For a demonstration of this technology, Ram provides several helpful videos on its official channels.
• Advanced Camera Systems: An available 360° Surround View Camera provides a top-down view of the truck and its immediate surroundings, making it easier to maneuver in tight spaces. The ParkView® Rear Back-Up Camera includes dynamic gridlines that help align the truck’s hitch with the trailer coupler, simplifying the process of hooking up alone.
• Integrated Safety Systems: The TRX can be equipped with a fully integrated trailer brake controller, Trailer Sway Control, and Blind Spot Monitoring that can be set to account for the length of the trailer, providing alerts if a vehicle is in the trailer’s blind spot.

Conclusion: Is the Ram TRX the Right Tow Rig For You?

The Ram 1500 TRX is an engineering marvel—a street-legal trophy truck with supercar acceleration. Its towing ability is best described as capable but compromised. With an 8,100-pound capacity, it has enough muscle for the recreational needs of most owners, easily handling boats, campers, and toy haulers.

However, it is not a dedicated workhorse. Its true purpose is off-road domination, and the very suspension that makes it a king in the desert is its limiting factor on the pavement. The low payload capacity relative to its power and the punishing fuel economy when towing are critical trade-offs.

The TRX is the ideal truck for the enthusiast who prioritizes ultimate performance and off-road capability but still needs the utility to tow a moderately sized trailer on weekends. It is not the right choice for someone who tows heavy loads frequently or for long distances. For those users, a Ram 2500 or 3500 Heavy Duty model would provide a far more stable, efficient, and appropriate tool for the job.

With the V8-powered TRX ceasing production after 2024 to make way for the new six-cylinder Ram 1500 RHO, this generation of the TRX stands as a legendary, if specialized, chapter in truck history.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the exact towing capacity of a 2024 Ram TRX?

The 2024 Ram TRX has a maximum conventional towing capacity of 8,100 pounds when properly equipped.

How much payload can a Ram TRX handle?

The 2024 Ram TRX has a maximum payload capacity of 1,360 pounds. This figure must include the weight of all passengers, any cargo in the truck, and the tongue weight of an attached trailer.

Why is the TRX towing capacity lower than other Ram 1500s?

The towing capacity is limited primarily by its specialized long-travel off-road suspension. This system is softer and more compliant than a standard truck’s suspension to absorb high-speed impacts, making it less stable under the heavy, static load of a trailer tongue. The rating is therefore set lower to ensure safe handling.

Do I need a special hitch to tow with a Ram TRX?

While not mandatory for very light trailers, a weight-distribution hitch is highly recommended for any trailer over 5,000 pounds. It helps counteract the soft suspension’s tendency to “squat,” leveling the truck and trailer for improved stability and safety.

How does the Ram TRX compare to the Ford F-150 Raptor R for towing?

The two trucks are very competitive. However, the Ford F-150 Raptor R has a slight advantage with a maximum towing capacity of 8,700 pounds, compared to the 8,100 pounds of the Ram TRX.

What is the GVWR of a Ram TRX?

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) for all Ram TRX models (2021-2024) is 7,800 pounds. This is the maximum safe operating weight of the truck itself, including all passengers and cargo.