2021 Ram 1500 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque towing capacity
The 2021 Ram 1500 with the 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque tows up to 12,750 lb — the highest rating offered that model year. That figure requires Quad Cab 4x2, 3.92 axle, Max Tow Package.
What it means loaded
A trailer at the full 12,750 lb puts roughly 1,530 lb on the hitch at a typical 12% tongue weight. Against the 2021 Ram 1500's best-case payload of 2,300 lb, that leaves about 770 lb for passengers, fuel, gear and the weight-distributing hitch — which is why this engine will run out of payload before it runs out of towing capacity.
Against the other 2021 engines
| Engine | Max towing | vs. this engine | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque | 12,750 lb | this page | 395 hp / 410 lb-ft |
| 3.6L Pentastar V6 eTorque | 7,730 lb | −5,020 lb | 305 hp / 269 lb-ft |
| 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 | 12,560 lb | −190 lb | 260 hp / 480 lb-ft |
The 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque across model years
| Year | Max towing | GCWR | Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 12,750 lb | 18,000 lb | 395 hp / 410 lb-ft |
| 2023 | 12,750 lb | 18,000 lb | 395 hp / 410 lb-ft |
| 2022 | 12,750 lb | 18,000 lb | 395 hp / 410 lb-ft |
| 2021 | 12,750 lb | 18,000 lb | 395 hp / 410 lb-ft |
| 2020 | 12,750 lb | 18,000 lb | 395 hp / 410 lb-ft |
| 2019 | 12,750 lb | 18,000 lb | 395 hp / 410 lb-ft |
Source: Ram 2021 1500 Towing & Payload Chart.
Common questions
How much can a 2021 Ram 1500 with the 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque tow?
Up to 12,750 lb, configured as Quad Cab 4x2, 3.92 axle, Max Tow Package. The engine makes 395 hp and 410 lb-ft, with a GCWR of 18,000 lb. Your own truck's rating depends on its cab, bed, drivetrain and axle ratio, and is printed on the certification label in the driver's door jamb.
Is the 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque the best Ram 1500 engine for towing?
For the 2021 Ram 1500, yes — at 12,750 lb it carries the highest rating of any engine offered that year. The next closest is the 3.0L EcoDiesel V6. Configuration still matters more than most buyers expect: the wrong axle ratio or a heavier cab gives back more capacity than the gap between two engines.
Does the 5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque need the tow package to reach 12,750 lb?
Yes. That rating assumes Quad Cab 4x2, 3.92 axle, Max Tow Package. Without the factory tow package — the upgraded receiver, wiring, cooling and in most cases a specific axle ratio — the same engine is rated substantially lower.
Related
Check your door jamb. The figures here are the maximum ratings for a properly equipped truck in its best towing configuration. Your specific truck's cab, bed, drivetrain, axle ratio and options all lower it. The certification label inside the driver's door and the owner's manual are the authority for your vehicle. Source: Ram 2021 1500 Towing & Payload Chart. Figures reviewed 10 August 2026.