Did Ram 1500 towing change for 2008?

Compare the cited 2008 figures on this page with the 2007 record. They are stored separately.

What tongue weight should I plan for a 2008 Ram 1500?

At the cited 9,100 lb conventional maximum, an illustrative 10% assumption produces 910 lb of tongue weight. This is not a recommended percentage or a measurement; follow your trailer and vehicle instructions and measure the actual load. That load counts against payload and the rear axle rating.

Index · Dodge · Ram 1500

2008 Dodge Ram 1500

The highest conventional-hitch rating for the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 is 9,100 lb, the top of 186 rows transcribed from Dodge’s 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Base Weights/GCW/Payload (Body Builder Guide). That row is printed for the 5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5), Regular Cab, Short Bed bed, 2WD, 120.5-in wheelbase, 3.92 axle, ST, tire 17" base, H.D, Cooling. Most configurations are rated lower: 185 of the 186 transcribed conventional-hitch chart rows for 2008 are below 9,100 lb. Across 186 manufacturer chart rows for 2008, ratings run conventional 2,950 lb to 9,100 lb; the engine, cab, axle ratio and package on your truck decide its number.

conventional5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5), Regular Cab, Short Bed bed, 2WD, 120.5-in wheelbase, 3.92 axle, ST; tire 17" base; H.D. Cooling.9,100 lb

The build table for 2008 is not transcribed. This page will not multiply trims, cabs, and engines into trucks the order guide did not list.

Hitch	Cited maximum	Configuration	Source grade
Conventional	9,100 lb	5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5), Regular Cab, Short Bed bed, 2WD, 120.5-in wheelbase, 3.92 axle, ST; tire 17" base; H.D. Cooling.	OEM chart

Highest rows among 186 transcribed chart configurations. Most trucks of this model year are rated lower; find your exact configuration in the table below.

Source: Dodge, 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Base Weights/GCW/Payload (Body Builder Guide), 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Base Weights/GCW/Payload (Body Builder Guide) tables (all pages). Ram/Dodge Body Builder guide weight & trailer-tow chart (rambodybuilder.com). Chart notes define Max Trailer = GCWR - curb weight - 150 lb driver allowance, rounded to nearest 50 lb. Chart notes state values are ESTIMATED.

Spec sheet

6 of 25 fields cited; 1 estimate. Field index

Cited fields may cover selected trims or only part of a measurement. Read the configuration and source beside each value; a cited field does not mean every version is researched.

Towing

Conventional maximum: 9,100 lb. 5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5), Regular Cab, Short Bed bed, 2WD, 120.5-in wheelbase, 3.92 axle, ST; tire 17" base; H.D. Cooling.Dodge source
Gooseneck maximum: Not transcribed for this model year.
Fifth-wheel maximum: Not transcribed for this model year.
Tongue or pin load: 910 lb tongue at the 9,100 lb conventional maximum. Illustration at 10 percent conventional and 15 percent in-bed, not a measured load or recommendation. Follow the trailer and vehicle instructions; actual load may be higher.Estimate
Weight distribution: Not transcribed for this model year.
Trailer frontal area: Not transcribed for this model year.

Weights

Payload: Not transcribed for this model year.
GCWR: 8,000–15,000 lb across 186 chart rows that print a GCWR (each row's GCWR is in the chart table and explorer)Dodge source
GVWR: Not transcribed for this model year.
Front GAWR: Not transcribed for this model year.
Rear GAWR: Not transcribed for this model year.
Curb weight: Not transcribed for this model year.

Body

Wheelbase: Not transcribed for this model year.
Bed length: Short Bed, Long BedDodge source
Bed width and depth: Not transcribed for this model year.
Cab-to-axle: Not transcribed for this model year.
Overall length, width, height: Not transcribed for this model year.
Ground clearance and angles: Not transcribed for this model year.
Fifth-wheel clearance: Not transcribed for this model year.

Power

Engine, horsepower, torque: Not transcribed for this model year.
Transmission: Not transcribed for this model year.
Fuel type and tank: Not transcribed for this model year.
Drivetrain: 2WD, 4WDDodge source
Axle ratio: 3.92, 4.10, 3.55, 3.73, 3.21Dodge source
Tow package: ST; tire 17" base; H.D. Cooling; SLT; tire 17" base; H.D. Cooling; SLT; Laramie; SLT; tire 17" Fleet TTM; H.D. Cooling; SLT; tire 17" Fleet TTT; H.D. Cooling; SLT; tire 20"; H.D. Cooling; ST; H.D. Cooling; SLT; tire 20" base; H.D. Cooling; Laramie; tire 20" base; H.D. Cooling; SLT; tire 20"base; H.D. Cooling; ST; tire 17" base; Std Cooling; SLT; tire 17" base; Std Cooling; SLT; tire 20"; Std Cooling; ST; Std Cooling; SLT; tire 17" Fleet TTM; Std Cooling; SLT; tire 17" Fleet TTT; Std Cooling; SLT; tire 20" base; Std Cooling; Laramie; tire 20" base; Std Cooling; SLT; tire 20"base; Std CoolingDodge source

Bed, tongue weight, and wheelbase

The trailer rating is one limit. The bed has to fit the load, the tongue or pin has to fit in payload, and the wheelbase is the column the chart uses.

An illustrative 10 percent of the 9,100 lb conventional maximum is 910 lb of tongue weight. This is not a measured load or recommended percentage; actual load may be higher.

Bed capacity · Tongue and pin weight · Wheelbase · GCWR, GVWR, and GAWR. Wheelbase is not transcribed for this year. See the spec sheet for the sourced GCWR and its configuration.

Estimate payload margin and bed volume · How these limits work together

Change from 2007

Conventional: 9,100 lb in 2007, 9,100 lb in 2008 (unchanged maximum, different source or equipment list).

Generation

Third generation

2008 is year 7 of this generation (2002–2008). Redesigned Dodge Ram 1500. The 5.7L HEMI arrived during this generation.

2008 towing by engine

Lowest to highest printed rating for each engine across 186 transcribed chart rows. A missing hitch means the chart did not print one for that engine, not that it is zero.

Engine	Conventional	Chart rows
5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5)	5,000–9,100 lb	82
5.7L V8 gas (EZA) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5)	7,400–8,900 lb	8
4.7L V8 gas (EVE) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5)	5,300–7,650 lb	45
4.7L V8 gas (EVE) / Getrag 238 6 sp MANU (DEJ) (M6)	3,850–5,750 lb	39
3.7L V6 gas (EKG) / 42RLE VLP 4 sp (AUTO DGV) (A4)	3,450–3,800 lb	6
3.7L V6 gas (EKG) / Getrag 238 6 sp MANU (DEJ) (M6)	2,950–3,300 lb	6

Highest-rated configurations

Trailer	Engine	Cab / bed	Drive	Axle / package	GCWR	Evidence
9,100 lb Conventional	5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5)	Regular Cab, Short Bed · 120.5 in wheelbase	2WD	3.92 · ST; tire 17" base; H.D. Cooling^{note 1}	14,000 lb	PDF page 2, "2008 Ram Base Weights/GCW/Payload 1500 09/01/2007", section "RAM REGULAR CAB 1500 120.5"WB 2WD SHORT BED ST DR 1L61", row 5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5) axle 3.92 (H.D. Cooling column)
9,050 lb Conventional	5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5)	Regular Cab, Short Bed · 120 in wheelbase	2WD	3.92 · SLT; tire 17" base; H.D. Cooling^{note 2}	14,000 lb	PDF page 2, "2008 Ram Base Weights/GCW/Payload 1500 09/01/2007", section "RAM REGULAR CAB 1500 120"WB 2WD SHORT BED SLT DR 1H61", row 5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5) axle 3.92 (H.D. Cooling column)
8,900 lb Conventional	5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5)	Regular Cab, Short Bed · 120.5 in wheelbase	4WD	3.92 · ST; tire 17" base; H.D. Cooling^{note 3}	14,000 lb	PDF page 3, "2008 Ram Base Weights/GCW/Payload 1500 09/01/2007", section "RAM REG CAB 1500 120.5"WB 4WD SHORT BED ST DR 6L61", row 5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5) axle 3.92 (H.D. Cooling column)
8,900 lb Conventional	5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5)	Regular Cab, Short Bed · 120.5 in wheelbase	4WD	3.92 · SLT; tire 17" base; H.D. Cooling^{note 4}	14,000 lb	PDF page 3, "2008 Ram Base Weights/GCW/Payload 1500 09/01/2007", section "RAM REG CAB 1500 120.5"WB 4WD SHORT BED SLT DR 6H61", row 5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5) axle 3.92 (H.D. Cooling column)
8,900 lb Conventional	5.7L V8 gas (EZA) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5)	Mega Cab, Short Bed · 160.5 in wheelbase	2WD	4.10 · SLT^{note 5}	15,000 lb	PDF page 10, "2008 Ram Base Weights/GCW/Payload 1500 09/01/2007", section "RAM MEGA CAB 1500 160.5"WB 2WD SHORT BED SLT DH 1H81", row 5.7L V8 gas (EZA) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5) axle 4.10
8,850 lb Conventional	5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5)	Regular Cab, Long Bed · 140.5 in wheelbase	2WD	3.92 · ST; tire 17" base; H.D. Cooling^{note 6}	14,000 lb	PDF page 4, "2008 Ram Base Weights/GCW/Payload 1500 09/01/2007", section "RAM REGULAR CAB 1500 140.5"WB 2WD LONG BED ST DR 1L62", row 5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5) axle 3.92 (H.D. Cooling column)
8,850 lb Conventional	5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5)	Regular Cab, Long Bed · 140.5 in wheelbase	2WD	3.92 · SLT; tire 17" base; H.D. Cooling^{note 7}	14,000 lb	PDF page 4, "2008 Ram Base Weights/GCW/Payload 1500 09/01/2007", section "RAM REGULAR CAB 1500 140.5"WB 2WD LONG BED SLT DR 1H62", row 5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5) axle 3.92 (H.D. Cooling column)
8,850 lb Conventional	5.7L V8 gas (EZA) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5)	Mega Cab, Short Bed · 160.5 in wheelbase	2WD	4.10 · Laramie^{note 8}	15,000 lb	PDF page 10, "2008 Ram Base Weights/GCW/Payload 1500 09/01/2007", section "RAM MEGA CAB 1500 160.5"WB 2WD SHORT BED LARAMIE DH 1P81", row 5.7L V8 gas (EZA) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5) axle 4.10
8,750 lb Conventional	5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5)	Quad Cab, Short Bed · 140.5 in wheelbase	2WD	3.92 · ST; tire 17" base; H.D. Cooling^{note 9}	14,000 lb	PDF page 6, "2008 Ram Base Weights/GCW/Payload 1500 09/01/2007", section "RAM QUAD CAB 1500 140.5"WB 2WD SHORT BED ST DR 1L41", row 5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5) axle 3.92 (H.D. Cooling column)
8,750 lb Conventional	5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5)	Quad Cab, Short Bed · 140.5 in wheelbase	2WD	3.92 · SLT; tire 17" Fleet TTM; H.D. Cooling^{note 10}	14,000 lb	PDF page 6, "2008 Ram Base Weights/GCW/Payload 1500 09/01/2007", section "RAM QUAD CAB 1500 140.5"WB 2WD SHORT BED SLT DR 1H41", row 5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5) axle 3.92 (H.D. Cooling column)
8,700 lb Conventional	5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5)	Quad Cab, Short Bed · 140.5 in wheelbase	2WD	3.92 · SLT; tire 17" Fleet TTT; H.D. Cooling^{note 10}	14,000 lb	PDF page 6, "2008 Ram Base Weights/GCW/Payload 1500 09/01/2007", section "RAM QUAD CAB 1500 140.5"WB 2WD SHORT BED SLT DR 1H41", row 5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5) axle 3.92 (H.D. Cooling column)
8,650 lb Conventional	5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5)	Regular Cab, Long Bed · 140.5 in wheelbase	4WD	3.92 · ST; tire 17" base; H.D. Cooling^{note 11}	14,000 lb	PDF page 5, "2008 Ram Base Weights/GCW/Payload 1500 09/01/2007", section "RAM REG CAB 1500 140.5"WB 4WD LONG BED ST DR 6L62", row 5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5) axle 3.92 (H.D. Cooling column)

GVWR 6,200 lbs. Body code DR1L61.
GVWR 6,200 lbs. Body code DR1H61.
GVWR 6,350 lbs. Body code DR6L61.
GVWR 6,350 lbs. Body code DR6H61.
GVWR 8,510 lbs. Body code DH1H81.
GVWR 6,600 lbs. Body code DR1L62.
GVWR 6,600 lbs. Body code DR1H62.
GVWR 8,510 lbs. Body code DH1P81.
GVWR 6,700 lbs. Body code DR1L41.
GVWR 6,700 lbs. Body code DR1H41.
GVWR 6,600 lbs. Body code DR6L62.

Chart source: Dodge, 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Base Weights/GCW/Payload (Body Builder Guide). The evidence column gives each row’s page and table.

Find your exact configuration (186 rows) →Download 2008 rows as CSV ↓

What changes the number

Engine and transmission
Cab, bed, and wheelbase
Two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive
Axle ratio and tow package
Conventional hitch versus fifth-wheel versus gooseneck
People, options, and cargo, which spend payload the chart assumed was empty

Questions

How much can a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 tow?: The highest conventional-hitch rating for the 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 is 9,100 lb, the top of 186 rows transcribed from Dodge’s 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 Base Weights/GCW/Payload (Body Builder Guide). That row is printed for the 5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5), Regular Cab, Short Bed bed, 2WD, 120.5-in wheelbase, 3.92 axle, ST, tire 17" base, H.D, Cooling. Most configurations are rated lower: 185 of the 186 transcribed conventional-hitch chart rows for 2008 are below 9,100 lb.
Did Ram 1500 towing change for 2008?: Compare the cited 2008 figures on this page with the 2007 record. They are stored separately.
Which configuration hits the maximum?: The 9,100 lb conventional maximum is printed for the 5.7L V8 gas MDS (EZB) / 545RFE 5 sp AUTO (DGQ) (A5), Regular Cab, Short Bed bed, 2WD, 120.5-in wheelbase, 3.92 axle, ST, tire 17" base, H.D, Cooling.
What tongue weight should I plan for a 2008 Ram 1500?: At the cited 9,100 lb conventional maximum, an illustrative 10% assumption produces 910 lb of tongue weight. This is not a recommended percentage or a measurement; follow your trailer and vehicle instructions and measure the actual load. That load counts against payload and the rear axle rating.

Compare with

Compare the 2008 Ram 1500 with any truck and year →

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