What Is the Maximum Towing Capacity of the 2027 Ram 3500 Heavy-Duty?

The 2027 Ram 3500 Heavy-Duty tows up to 36,610 lbs when properly equipped with the available High-Output 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I6 engine. That covers heavy machinery, commercial flatbeds and large multi-car haulers. Gas models with the 6.4L HEMI V8 tow up to 18,150 lbs and carry a maximum payload of up to 7,590 lbs. High-Output diesel models carry up to 6,050 lbs. The heavier cast-iron diesel engine and its cooling hardware account for that payload difference. Maximum GVWR is 14,000 lbs, and maximum GCWR is 45,000 lbs.

Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.

The 2027 Ram Heavy Duty lineup reached dealerships in August 2026.

Every 2027 Ram 3500 comes standard with Snowplow Prep capability. That means a 220-amp alternator and Snowplow Prep wiring, so the electrical system supports high-draw trailer lighting and auxiliary equipment. Heavy-duty four-wheel disc antilock brakes are standard. An Automatic Smart Exhaust Brake is available on diesel models to help hold speed on long descents.

For fleets and independent operators around Fontana, matching the powertrain to the bed and hitch setup decides whether a truck can legally pull a given trailer. Our truck specialists can walk through configurations at 16263 S Highland Ave, or by phone at (909) 675-1186.

What Are the Horsepower, Torque, and Transmission Specs for the 2027 Ram 3500 Engine Lineup?

The 2027 Ram 3500 offers two powertrains. Both are available on the Tradesman, Big Horn, Laramie, Limited and Limited Longhorn trims.

The standard 6.4L HEMI V8 produces 405 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 429 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. It pairs with a TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission (ZF 8HP75-LCV). The engine uses a cast-iron block with aluminum cylinder heads, hemispherical combustion chambers and a forged steel crankshaft. A dual-alternator option supports snowplow equipment, 120-volt bed outlets and worksite lighting. Its lower unladen weight is what gives gas models their payload advantage.

The available High-Output 6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I6 delivers 430 horsepower at 2,800 rpm and 1,075 lb-ft of torque at just 1,800 rpm. It pairs with the TorqueFlite HD 8-speed automatic. Ram builds the engine around a cast-iron block, a cast-iron cylinder head and a forged steel crankshaft, with a CP8 fuel pump running at 2,200 bar and a Smart Diesel Exhaust Brake.

Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.

The TorqueFlite HD belongs to ZF’s Powerline transmission family, used in commercial applications up to 57,000 lbs GCWR. Its ratio spread runs from 4.89:1 in first gear to 0.64:1 in eighth. That keeps engine speeds low on the highway while preserving launch torque under load.

Whether you need maximum diesel torque or a gas engine for municipal work, you can compare configurations across the Ram work truck lineup or step up to the Ram 3500 Chassis Cab for upfit-ready applications.

How Do Gooseneck, Fifth-Wheel, and Conventional Hitches Differ on the Ram 3500?

The 36,610-lb maximum applies to a properly equipped High-Output diesel configuration. Which hitch you run depends on what you tow.

Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.

Gooseneck and fifth-wheel setups both place the load over the rear axle rather than behind it. Tongue weight transfers straight into the frame, and the trailer resists sway. Heavier conventional loads call for a weight-distribution head to keep weight balanced across the front axle.

Ram simplifies the hardware side with the available Fifth-Wheel/Gooseneck Prep Package. It adds a factory-installed rear-axle structural crossmember with integrated mounting hardware, built into the frame during vehicle assembly.

How Is the 2027 Ram 3500 Configured for Maximum Towing?

Maximum towing comes from one specific combination: the High-Output 6.7L Cummins, the TorqueFlite HD 8-speed automatic and a 3.42 rear axle ratio. Ram reports that this pairing improves torque at launch by almost 10% versus the previous-generation Ram Heavy Duty max-tow setup.

Cab and Bed Configurations

Bed length and cab style determine where the hitch sits and how much trailer you can manage.

Rear Wheels, Suspension and Fuel Capacity

• Rear wheel setup — Single Rear Wheel (SRW) models are easier to maneuver and fit inside standard parking stalls. Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) models add two tires at the rear axle. DRW increases stability against lateral crosswinds and spreads heavy pin weight across a broader contact patch.
• Rear suspension — a class-exclusive available Auto-Level Rear Air Suspension lowers or raises the truck to help align the hitch and trailer.
• Fuel capacity — Crew Cab models with the 8-foot bed offer a best-in-class available 50-gallon fuel tank. Towing heavy raises fuel consumption, so the added capacity stretches range between stops.

2027 Ram 3500 Towing and Diesel Performance FAQ

What does the available Fifth-Wheel/Gooseneck Prep Package include?

The package adds a factory-installed rear-axle structural crossmember with integrated mounting hardware, built into the frame during vehicle assembly, that can be paired with a fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitch for quick and easy towing setup.

Is Trailer Reverse Steering Control available on the 2027 Ram 3500?

Yes. This available system lets you use a trailer steering knob to control the trailer’s direction as you back up, while the system controls the truck’s steering wheel.

What is the benefit of the available 50-gallon fuel tank for heavy towing?

The best-in-class available 50-gallon fuel tank is offered on Crew Cab models with the 8-foot bed. Towing heavy loads increases fuel consumption, and the added capacity reduces refueling stops on long-distance trips.

How does the rear air suspension help when coupling a heavy trailer?

The class-exclusive available Auto-Level Rear Air Suspension lowers or raises the truck to help align the hitch and the trailer, which makes backing under a fifth-wheel kingpin or gooseneck coupler easier.

See 2027 Ram 3500 Capability in Person at Fontana Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Choosing the right 2027 Ram 3500 means balancing engine output, rear axle ratio, cab and bed length and hitch hardware against what you actually tow. A hands-on walkaround is the fastest way to judge cab space and towing hardware.

Our truck specialists at Fontana Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram are ready to walk you through powertrain specs, factory towing packages and payload ratings. We stock genuine Mopar towing hitches, brake controller parts and bed accessories. Find us at 16263 S Highland Ave in Fontana, serving San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Claremont, West Covina and Riverside. You can also reach the team at (909) 675-1186.

Disclaimers

Maximum towing and payload capacity figures are based on properly equipped vehicles and vary by configuration. Do not exceed any weight rating. See your owner’s manual and the vehicle’s door-jamb label for specific capacities.