The Ram 1500 was introduced into Ram’s lineup as a full-size pickup truck in 1993 and is still made today. Ram is one of the best-selling truck brands in the USA and has many features consumers expect from today’s trucks, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a 2012 Ram 1500?
A 2012 Ram 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 10,450 pounds when properly equipped.
The 2012 Ram 1500 tow capacity can vary based on a few different factors such as engine size, drivetrain, and others which we’ll cover in this guide.
There’s a bit more to know about the 2012 Ram 1500 tow capacity which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
How Much Can The 2012 Ram 1500 Tow?
The 2012 Ram 1500 has a towing capacity of 10,450 pounds.
The 2012 Ram 1500 tow capacity is affected by other factors like engine type, drivetrain, the weight of cargo and passengers, and whether your vehicle has a towing package equipped or not.
You can always reach out to your local Ram dealership for details to confirm how much your 1500 can tow.
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
Towing Capacity By Engine Size
There are three engine options for the 2012 Ram 1500: a 3.6L V6 engine, a 4.7L V8 engine, and a 5.7L HEMI V8 engine.
5.7L HEMI V8 Engine Towing Capacity: 10,450 pounds
4.7L V8 Engine Towing Capacity: 7,650 pounds
3.6L V6 Engine Towing Capacity: 3,750 pounds
Note that these are the max towing limits for each 2012 Ram 1500 engine. Your Ram 1500 may have a lower towing capacity based on the drivetrain, axle ratio, and if your vehicle has a towing package installed.
2012 Ram 1500 Tow Capacity By Trim Level
There are five trim levels for the 2012 Ram 1500, and some engines are not available on certain trims, so they’ll each have different max towing limits.
Here’s the max tow capacity broken down for each trim level on the 2012 Ram 1500:
2012 Ram 1500 ST: 10,400 pounds (4×2 w/ 5.7L HEMI engine)
2012 Ram 1500 SLT: 10,450 pounds (4×2 w/ 5.7L HEMI engine)
2012 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman: 10,450 pounds (4×2 w/ 5.7L HEMI engine)
2012 Ram 1500 Sport: 10,450 pounds (4×2 w/ 5.7L HEMI engine)
2012 Ram 1500 Laramie: 10,050 pounds (4×2 w/ 5.7L HEMI engine)
2012 Ram 1500 Payload Capacity
The maximum payload capacity of the 2012 Ram 1500 is 1,860 pounds.
This is for a 4×2 Ram 1500 ST with the 3.6L V6 engine.
If you had a different configuration such as a 4×4 ST with a 5.7L HEMI engine the payload would drop to just 1,510 pounds.
Please note, the payload capacity will vary based on factors such as engine type, drivetrain and whether or not your vehicle is equipped with a towing package that includes other features like an engine oil cooler or transmission oil cooler.
If you are unsure of your vehicle’s payload capacity, please contact your local dealership for details.
2012 Ram 1500 Tow Package
The 2012 1500 does not come with a tow package installed, but it is available as an add-on.
Towing package options that can be added to the 2012 Ram 1500 include a hitch receiver, trailer wiring harness, and a trailer brake controller.
2012 Ram 1500 Towing Capacity Vs Competitors
The 2012 Ram 1500 has a maximum towing capacity of 10,450 pounds, which makes it capable of doing some heavy duty trailer towing. This number is similar to its main competitors, the 2012 Ford F-150 and the 2012 Ram 1500.
Here are some similar vehicles to the Ram 1500 and their towing capacities below:
2012 Ford F-150 Towing Capacity: 11,300 pounds
2012 Chevy Silverado 1500 Towing Capacity: 10,700 pounds
2012 GMC Sierra 1500 Towing Capacity: 9,800 pounds
2012 Toyota Tundra Towing Capacity: 10,500 pounds
2012 Nissan Titan Towing Capacity: 9,300 pounds
2012 Ram Trucks Towing Capacity Chart
Model | Towing Capacity |
2012 Ram 3500 | 22,700 lbs |
2012 Ram 2500 | 15,450 lbs |
2012 Ram 1500 | 10,450 lbs |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official 2012 Ram 1500 Owner’s Manual on Mopar’s site and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.
Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with a 2012 Ram 1500.