2016 Ram 3500 Towing Capacity & Payload

The 2016 Ram 3500 is a heavy-duty truck designed for serious towing and hauling, with a maximum towing capacity of up to 31,210 pounds when properly equipped.

Quick Answer

• Max Towing Capacity: 31,210 lbs
• Max Payload: 7,390 lbs
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): 10,700 lbs – 14,000 lbs (varies by configuration)
• Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): Up to 39,100 lbs (varies by configuration)
• Curb Weight: 6,364 lbs – 8,724 lbs (varies by configuration)
• Hitch Class: Class V (typically 2.5-inch receiver, capable of substantial tongue weights)

Tow Ratings by Engine & Trim

The 2016 Ram 3500 offers a range of engine options, each contributing to its impressive towing capabilities. It's important to note that towing and payload capacities can vary significantly based on engine, drivetrain (2x4 or 4x4), cab style (Regular, Crew, Mega Cab), bed length, and axle ratio.

*Note: These figures represent the maximum capabilities for specific configurations, often involving optional equipment. Always consult your vehicle's door jamb sticker and owner's manual for the most accurate towing and payload ratings for your specific truck.

Tow Package Contents

For a truck designed for heavy-duty work like the Ram 3500, a proper tow package is crucial. While specific contents can vary by trim and optional packages, here are common components found or highly recommended for the 2016 Ram 3500 for enhanced towing:

• Heavy-Duty Engine Cooling: Often includes an upgraded radiator and fan to help maintain optimal engine temperatures under load.
• Transmission Oil Cooler: Essential for preventing the transmission from overheating, especially when towing heavy loads or climbing grades. All 2016 Ram 3500 models with automatic transmissions will have an integrated cooler.
• Trailer Brake Controller (Integrated): This factory-installed system allows for direct control of electric trailer brakes from the truck's dashboard, providing smoother and safer braking.
• Trailer Tow Mirrors: Larger, extendable mirrors that provide a broader view around a wide trailer.
• 7-Pin and 4-Pin Trailer Wiring Harness: Provides power, ground, turn signals, brake lights, and electric brake control to the trailer.
• Trailer Sway Control (TSC): A safety feature that uses the truck's stability control sensors to detect and mitigate trailer sway by applying individual wheel brakes and/or reducing engine power.
• Heavy-Duty Receiver Hitch: A robust hitch, typically a Class V, designed to handle the Ram 3500's substantial towing capacities.

5th-Wheel & Gooseneck Towing

The 2016 Ram 3500 is very well-suited for 5th-wheel and gooseneck towing, often offering some of the highest capacities in its class. These towing methods excel for large RVs, heavy equipment trailers, and livestock trailers because they distribute the trailer's tongue weight directly over the truck's rear axle, improving stability and increasing the overall GCWR. The maximum 5th-wheel/gooseneck towing capacity for the 2016 Ram 3500 can go up to 31,210 lbs with the 6.7L Cummins high-output engine and AISIN automatic transmission in a 2x4 Regular Cab configuration.

Factory or dealer-installed fifth-wheel/gooseneck prep packages were available, which often include a bed-mounted hitch receiver, wiring harness, and potentially stronger bed cross members.

Weight Distribution & WDH Requirements

While the Ram 3500 is a heavy-duty truck, a Weight Distributing Hitch (WDH) may still be beneficial or even required for conventional (bumper-pull) trailers, especially those approaching the upper limits of the truck's conventional towing capacity or with substantial tongue weights. For conventional trailers with a tongue weight exceeding 1,000 lbs (or a significant percentage of the truck's conventional hitch capacity), a WDH is generally recommended to ensure proper handling and braking. Always check your owner's manual for specific WDH requirements based on your trailer's tongue weight.

A WDH helps to distribute a portion of the trailer's tongue weight from the rear axle of the tow vehicle to its front axle and the axles of the trailer. This helps to maintain proper steering and braking control and reduces squat at the rear of the truck.

Real-World Towing Tips for this Vehicle

• Know Your Weights: Always weigh your truck (full of fuel and passengers) and your loaded trailer to ensure you are within GVWR, GCWR, GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating), and tire limits.
• Pre-Trip Inspection: Before every tow, check tire pressures on both the truck and trailer, ensure all lights are working, verify hitch connections, and confirm brake controller functionality.
• Payload Management: Remember that any weight added to the truck (passengers, cargo, tools, 5th-wheel hitch) directly reduces your available payload and, consequently, your 5th-wheel/gooseneck towing capacity. The listed max payload often applies to a base model truck with minimal options.
• Proper Loading: Load your trailer with about 10-15% of its total weight as tongue weight for conventional trailers to minimize sway. For 5th-wheel/gooseneck trailers, tongue weight should typically be 15-25% of the trailer's gross weight.
• Engine Braking: Utilize the Ram 3500's available exhaust brake (on Cummins models) or transmission's manual mode on downhills to help control speed and reduce wear on your service brakes.
• Maintain Your Truck: Keep up with regular maintenance, especially transmission fluid changes, brake inspections, and cooling system checks, as towing puts added stress on these components.

Common Towing-Related Issues

Even with a robust truck like the Ram 3500, towing can bring unique challenges:

• Tire Squat and Sag: Overloading or improper weight distribution can lead to excessive rear-end sag, affecting steering and headlight aim. Airbags or helper springs can be aftermarket solutions.
• Transmission Overheating: While the Ram 3500 has robust cooling, extreme conditions or prolonged heavy towing can still push transmission temperatures. Monitor your transmission temperature gauge, especially on grades.
• Brake Fade: Heavy loads can lead to increased brake temperatures and reduced braking effectiveness. Proper trailer braking and engine braking are essential.
• Trailer Sway: While Trailer Sway Control helps, improper loading, excessive speed, or strong crosswinds can still induce sway. Adjusting speed and weight distribution is key.

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