2013 Ram 2500HD Towing & Weight Ratings
Even though you assume your new heavy-duty 2500 Ram diesel can tow 18,000 pounds, one small detail noted in the owner’s manual and Ram Commercial Truck’s towing guide makes it clear the truck has to have the correct hitch setup for the heavier trailers.
If you are a business owner who uses pickups to do a lot of towing, understand the difference between “weight-carrying” and “weight-distributing” towing limits.
It’s a liability issue.
Weight-carrying, or towing in the conventional mode as it’s commonly referred to, means the trailer is hooked to a tow ball or pintle setup attached directly to the hitch mounted on truck’s frame as it comes equipped from the factory.
Weight-distributing, however, is when the trailer is attached to a special weight-distributing (load equalizing) hitch with its spring bars and adjusting chains in use – a setup commonly used when towing travel trailers.
The differences between weight-carrying and weight-distributing hitch setups are worlds apart when it comes to maximum towing capacity:
While weight-carrying limits range between 5,000 and 8,500 pounds for heavy duty pickups, weight-distributing ratings can top 18,000 pounds.
Ram recommends trailers weighing between 5,000- and 12,000 pounds use a weight-distributing hitch; trailered loads weighing more than 12,000 pounds are required to be towed with a 5th wheel or Gooseneck setup.
