The 2025 Ram 1500 excels in towing prowess

• The Ram 1500 dominates as the most powerful light-duty truck, except for the Raptor R

• Attaching a 5,000-pound trailer to the Ram 1500 doesn’t faze the vehicle

• The Ram seamlessly integrates its active safety features with a trailer

While the Ram 1500 might not boast the highest towing capacity, it provides one of the finest towing experiences among full-size light-duty pickups powered by gasoline.

The revamped 2025 Ram 1500 demonstrates authority in towing with its high horsepower and torque, self-leveling suspension, and the capability to synchronize its safety systems with trailers. However, it has its drawbacks, such as potentially the worst safety chain hookups on a pickup truck, thirsty engine, and missing some innovative tech features that its competitors offer.

Interestingly, the updated 2025 Ram 1500’s maximum towing capacity decreased to 11,580 pounds from 12,750 pounds in the previous model. The maximum payload ratings remained unchanged at 2,300 pounds. In comparison, the towing capacity champion of the segment is the Ford F-150, which boasts a maximum rating of up to 13,500 pounds.

Let’s delve into the details.

Advantage: Ram 1500 boasts immense power

My Tungsten trim tester featured the high-performance twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 generating up to 28 pounds per square inch of boost pressure. This spikes the output to 540 hp and 521 lb-ft of torque, amounting to 145 more horsepower and 110 more lb-ft of torque compared to the previous V-8 engine. Impressive upgrade.

This means the truck remains unfazed even with a 5,000-pound boat and trailer hitched at the rear. Surpassing 70 mph poses no challenge. Pressing the accelerator at highway speeds propels the truck forward effortlessly, even with the trailer in tow behind. The only other light-duty gasoline truck that felt comparable was the 2019-2020 Ford F-150 Limited, equipped with the Raptor’s high-performance twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 engine. However, with 450 hp and 510 lb-ft of torque, it fell significantly short of the power offered by this Ram.

The Ram’s abundance of power and highly responsive accelerator require caution. Rapid acceleration can cause boats to shift back on a trailer, potentially causing damage. Thankfully, the tow mode recalibrates shift points and throttle response, prioritizing safety.

Downside: Ram 1500 demonstrates Hemi V-8-like fuel efficiency

While towing a 5,000-pound boat and trailer, the turbo-6 achieved an average of 9.3 mpg over a 144-mile tow. I managed approximately 9.5 mpg with the same boat and the 5.7-liter Hemi V-8. The Ram 1600 has significantly improved in power without sacrificing efficiency. In contrast, the aforementioned high-performance turbocharged V-6 in the F-150 Limited averaged 8.1 mpg under similar towing conditions. The Toyota Tundra, equipped with a twin-turbo V-6 hybrid powertrain, achieved an average of 9.4 mpg. However, GM’s 6.2-liter V-8 returned slightly over 12 mpg, albeit with reduced power. More power and boost equate to greater thirst for fuel.

Advantage: Ram 1500 features self-leveling capabilities

Upon lowering the trailer onto the ball and securing it, I heard the truck’s air compressor activating. It inflated the rear air suspension to auto-adjust the load for levelness. Smooth operation. The four-corner air suspension (an optional feature on mid-trim Rams and standard on higher trims) responded promptly to the load. No sagging rear end here. No other full-size pickup provides a four-corner air suspension. While Toyota offers rear air suspension for self-leveling, I encountered trailer sway and was consistently aware of the presence of the boat behind the truck. In contrast, the Ram never displayed trailer sway, allowing me to occasionally forget the trailer was attached. Ford addresses the sagging issue with firmer rear leaf springs that elevate the rear end when unloaded.

Downside: Ram 1500’s safety chain connections are troublesome

To put it mildly, the safety chain linkages on the Ram 1500’s receiver are notably the most challenging to attach among all full-size pickup trucks. The chains connect to the truck through a fully encased fitting assembly with openings on the exterior and base. This setup makes it challenging to navigate the hooks through, and the substantial stamped-steel right angle that the hooks must clear adds to the difficulty. It’s a unique design issue that resulted in compatibility challenges with the emergency brake connectors on two different boat trailers that I tried. Ram could benefit from emulating Ford’s recent Super Duty model, which features large, visible openings that simplify the attachment process.

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Advantage: Ram 1500 incorporates safety systems when towing

Rapidly. Most of today’s pickup trucks can merge the blind-spot monitoring system with a trailer. Ford’s system necessitates the driver to enter the trailer’s length. Toyota’s system on the Tundra surveys the trailer and then will accommodate the added length. However, never have I witnessed a system react as swiftly as the Ram 1500. Following connection and within a few feet of commencing movement forward, the 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster illuminated and alerted me that a 20-foot trailer had been factored in and assimilated into the blind-spot monitoring system. The boat is 20.6 feet long. Impressive, Ram.

Disadvantage: Ram 1500 is missing some towing technology features

The absence of a boost gauge in the Ram is unsatisfactory. Both the F-150 and Tundra feature boost gauges. A truck with a turbo engine should display how much boost it is generating when towing or carrying a load. The GMC Sierra provides a camera view that looks down the side of the trailer while navigating a turn. It activates the side-view mirror cameras upon engaging the turn signal. Quite impressive. Ram has cameras in the mirrors but does not offer this feature. GM’s trucks can autonomously drive with Super Cruise while towing, but Ram’s Hands-Free Active Driver Assist system will not function when a trailer is attached. With the press of a button, the Ford F-150 can now reverse itself and position the receiver directly under the trailer for hookup. That’s another cool functionality that the Ram is lacking. However, it is worth noting that if these tech features are necessary for towing, one might not be suited for it. Consider them as “nice to have” additions.

The 2025 Ram 1500 I used for towing was a Tungsten model. It occupies the pinnacle of luxury trucks and is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class equivalent in the realm of pickup trucks. It is also priced accordingly at $90,505 as tested, inclusive of the $1,995 destination fee. The term ‘value’ may not apply here, but it remains the preferred truck when towing a 5,000-pound boat.

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2025 Ram 1500 Tungsten

Base cost: $89,070 including $1,995 destination

Tested price: $90,505

Engine: 540-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-6, 8-speed automatic transmission, full-time four-wheel drive

EPA fuel efficiency: 15/21/17 mpg

Advantages: High horsepower, efficient air suspension, safety technology integrated with trailers.

Disadvantages: High fuel consumption, poorly-designed safety chain connections, lacks certain technological features of competitors.