2026 Ram 2500 Towing
If you want the simplest buying rule:
- Choose the 6.7L Cummins HO if your trailers regularly live in the 14,000–20,000 lb range, or you tow in hills, wind, and long grades.
- Choose the 6.4L HEMI if you tow “heavy sometimes,” want simpler ownership, and want the broadest “cost-to-capability” value (especially if your trailers are typically under ~14,000–16,000 lb).
- Choose 4.10 if your priority is pulling and holding speed under load.
- Choose 3.73 if your priority is everyday drivability with strong towing, and you are not living at max ratings.
2026 Ram 2500 towing comparison table (gas vs diesel vs axle)
| Setup | Axle ratio (common) | Max tow | What it’s best for | Tradeoffs to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.4L HEMI V8 (gas) | 3.73 | Up to the mid-15K range depending on cab/bed/4×2 vs 4×4 | Mixed use, moderate-heavy towing, flatter terrain | Less torque at low RPM vs diesel, more downshifts on grades |
| 6.4L HEMI V8 (gas) | 4.10 | Up to 17,740–17,750 lb (properly equipped) | Max conventional towing on gas, hills, heavier travel trailers/equipment | Higher RPM at cruise, typically more fuel consumption when empty |
| 6.7L Cummins HO (diesel) | 3.42 (shown in chart) | Up to 20,000 lb (properly equipped) | Frequent heavy towing, long grades, better “effortless” pull | Diesel ownership costs, emissions system complexity, payload can be lower depending on build |
Note: the tow guide is SAE J2807-compliant and the exact rating swings by configuration (cab, bed, drivetrain, GVWR, axle ratio, etc.).
The engines: what Ram actually rates for 2026
🧰 6.4L HEMI V8 (gas)
Ram lists 405 hp and 429 lb-ft for the 6.4L HEMI with the 8-speed automatic shown in the tow guide.
This matters because gas towing is usually about keeping the engine in its power band with gears and RPM.
That is exactly why the axle ratio decision is so important on gas.
🧰 6.7L Cummins High-Output (diesel)
The tow guide calls out 430 hp and 1,075 lb-ft paired with the ZF 8-speed (TorqueFlite HD / ZF Powerline naming varies by source presentation).
This matters because diesel towing is usually about torque at low-to-mid RPM and less hunting between gears at steady grades.
That “effortless pull” is what you feel in real life.
Axle ratio explained (and why it changes towing so much)
Think of axle ratio as a torque multiplier.
A 4.10 axle turns the driveshaft more times per wheel rotation than a 3.73, which increases wheel torque and helps the truck launch and climb under load.
Quick, real math
4.10 ÷ 3.73 = 1.099.
That is about 9.9% more torque multiplication at the wheels before transmission gearing is even considered.
In practical terms, that often shows up as:
- Less throttle needed to hold speed.
- Earlier lock-up and fewer downshifts on grades.
- Better “control feel” when you are right at the top end of your trailer weights.
Why 3.73 still makes sense
3.73 is typically the “balanced” ratio.
You still get strong towing, but with lower RPM at highway speed and often a calmer empty-truck feel.
If you are not consistently near max tow, this is the ratio most owners are happiest living with day-to-day.
Why the diesel can run a “taller” ratio
In the 2026 tow guide chart, the diesel line shown uses 3.42.
That can sound counterintuitive until you remember the diesel’s torque number.
With 1,075 lb-ft, the diesel does not need as aggressive a rear gear to feel strong under load, especially with a modern 8-speed doing the “ratio work” up front.
The towing numbers that actually matter when you’re matching a trailer
1) Maximum trailer weight rating (your headline number)
For 2026 Ram 2500:
- Gas max: 17,750 lb.
- Diesel max: 20,000 lb.
2) GCWR (the number buyers skip, but shouldn’t)
GCWR is the limit for:
truck + passengers + cargo + hitch + trailer (total combined).
In the tow chart, you can see GCWR jumps meaningfully between axle ratios and configurations.
If your combined weight is the constraint, a different axle ratio or configuration can matter more than the “engine choice” alone.
3) Payload (because tongue weight eats it fast)
Even when your trailer is “within tow rating,” the tongue weight can overload payload.
Ram’s tow guide notes:
- Trailer weight and payload are mutually exclusive.
- Conventional tongue weight is commonly recommended around 10% of gross trailer weight.
- Receiver tongue weight limits and GAWR/GVWR/GCWR must not be exceeded.
Also, the 2026 Ram Heavy Duty tow guide includes a receiver tongue weight limit note (for the Class V receiver) and stresses that GAWR/GVWR/GCWR should never be exceeded.
4) Hitch type (where the rules change)
The tow guide also points out that for heavier trailers you may need a 5th-wheel or gooseneck hitch, not just a receiver setup.
If you are shopping near the top end of 2500 towing, plan your hitch strategy early, not after you buy.
Real-world recommendations by trailer type
🏕️ Travel trailer / toy hauler (roughly 8,000–14,000 lb loaded)
Best match: 6.4 HEMI with 3.73 if mostly flat and occasional towing.
Upgrade to: 4.10 if you see mountains, heavy winds, or frequent towing days.
Diesel becomes compelling when you are consistently heavy, or you simply want the “less effort” towing experience.
🧱 Equipment trailer (often 12,000–18,000 lb loaded)
Best match: 6.4 HEMI with 4.10, or diesel if you tow heavy weekly.
If your loads are dense (skid steer, mini-ex, building materials), the diesel’s torque and grade control feel like a different class of truck.
🐴 Livestock / horse trailer (variable weights, high wind drag)
Best match: diesel if you are routinely heavy or tow long distances.
Even when weight is “only” moderate, wind drag can push you into the same effort level as a heavier equipment trailer, which is why torque and stability features matter.
Buying checklist (so you don’t get surprised after delivery)
🧾 1) Verify the exact tow rating for your configuration (cab, bed, 4×2 vs 4×4, GVWR, axle ratio).
🏷️ 2) Read your door-jamb payload sticker before committing.
A truck can be “rated to tow” far more than it can comfortably carry in tongue/pin weight.
🧲 3) Match hitch type to the trailer plan (receiver vs gooseneck/5th-wheel).
🧰 4) If you tow heavy often, prioritize tow tech (factory brake controller, tow mirrors, trailer camera support, etc.).
📌 5) Plan for SAE J2807 assumptions
Tow ratings are built around standardized assumptions so buyers can compare brands more fairly.
For background on what J2807 is trying to standardize (including braking and grade tests), see this overview. MotorTrend
Internal reads you can link inside your post (TruckReportGeeks)
- Read more towing matchups and buyer checklists at Truck Report Geeks.
- More Ram towing coverage: Truck Report Geeks Ram towing guides.
(If you prefer, swap that search URL for your dedicated Ram category page.)
FAQs
What’s the max towing for a 2026 Ram 2500 gas vs diesel?
Ram lists 17,750 lb max on gas and 20,000 lb max on diesel when properly equipped.
Does 4.10 always tow more than 3.73 on the 6.4 HEMI?
In the 2026 tow chart, 4.10 configurations are the ones tied to the highest gas tow ratings shown.
In real life, 4.10 also tends to feel stronger on grades because it multiplies torque more.
Why does the diesel use a 3.42 axle ratio in the chart?
Because the diesel’s torque output is extremely high, it can pull strongly even with a “taller” gear while the 8-speed transmission manages ratios up front
What matters more: tow rating or payload?
For most owners, payload becomes the limiting factor first, because tongue weight or pin weight consumes payload rapidly, especially once you add passengers, toolboxes, and bed cargo.
Always validate GVWR/GAWR/GCWR and the sticker on your exact truck
Is the tow guide SAE J2807 compliant?
Yes, the 2026 Ram Heavy Duty tow guide references SAE J2807 methodology and assumptions used for trailer weight rating calculations
Bottom line: which one should you pick?
✅ Pick the 6.4 HEMI + 3.73 if you want a balanced daily driver that still tows hard, and your trailers are not consistently near max.
✅ Pick the 6.4 HEMI + 4.10 if you want the best gas towing setup, especially for hills and heavier conventional trailers. ramtrucks
✅ Pick the 6.7 Cummins HO if you tow heavy often and want the most confident “effortless pull” feel, with a higher max rating available.
Before you go—if this helped, drop a comment with your trailer type and your target loaded weight, and tell us whether you tow mostly flat highways or grades, and visit us again Truck Report Geeks