Extreme tow capacities on the new trucks?

[The motor guy]

My 07 dodge ram 2500 diesel has a tow capacity of 12,500 poinds if I remember right. The gcvw is 23,000. Anyways, what have they done to the new trucks that allow them to tow so much? A 2026 dodge ram 3500 has a tow capacity of like 37,000 pounds

 

[thastinger]

Yeah, half ton trucks rolling off the line with 3 inch receiver hitches.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

My 2001 F-350 is rated for 7500 standard receiver, 10K weight distribution. The engine doesn't change that either as 7.3s and v10s had the same rating. You can now buy a 1/2 ton that can tow more from a hitch.

Does make midsize trucks viable for me.

 

[I<3oil]

It’s not as much about the engine and pulling power as it is stability and stopping power.

 

[supton]

Well, your 2500 is a 3/4T and you are comparing to a 3500 is a 1T, so it should be 33% better, right? I'm guessing it doesn't work that way, tow capacity likely goes up in big jumps as you go up in classes. Point being, you're not comparing like trucks--how does a 2026 Dodge 2500 compare to yours?

 

[The_Jeff]

"when properly equipped."

It's a whizzing match between the big players to make a "halo" truck in its class which is probably not going to be terribly available.

 

[hemioiler]

The J2807 towing standard determines the GCWR of all these trucks, and a huge portion of this is 0-X mph type acceleration runs up a grade in full summer with AC on.

Today's cummins is rated at 1075ish lb/tq, and that's going to allow much faster accerlation vs your current cummins (just for example).

Another huge part of this is cooling. That's why the front ends on these heavy dutys have become even more massive, have to fit the rad in there.

https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/1502-sae-j2807-tow-tests-the-standard

 

[hemioiler]

My 2001 F-350 is rated for 7500 standard receiver, 10K weight distribution. The engine doesn't change that either as 7.3s and v10s had the same rating. You can now buy a 1/2 ton that can tow more from a hitch.

Does make midsize trucks viable for me.

Two words: duty cycle.

Half tons can tow 10 to 12k pounds for a family vacation, but put them to work side by side against a heavy duty and the half ton will drop dead far quicker than the heavy duty.

And your older F350 will still be in far better control of the trailer vs a modern half ton which are designed for passenger duty and have the suspension setup for that.

In general, we all need to stop looking at the GCWR as if its the final say. It's one number, in a list of numbers, that should be used to make a decision. You literally cannot tow a 5th wheel at 12k pounds with an f150 even though the GCWR says you can.

 

[edyvw]

My 07 dodge ram 2500 diesel has a tow capacity of 12,500 poinds if I remember right. The gcvw is 23,000. Anyways, what have they done to the new trucks that allow them to tow so much? A 2026 dodge ram 3500 has a tow capacity of like 37,000 pounds

Better frames and materials are used to make those frames. Better brakes, suspension.
Transmissions are more capable. ZF8 is a huge step forward. Nothing beats that transmission now, and ZF pretty much offers blueprints to others (then they choose to cheapen it out).
Diesel engines have had huge advances in the last few decades when it comes to injection and turbo technology.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Two words: duty cycle.

Half tons can tow 10 to 12k pounds for a family vacation, but put them to work side by side against a heavy duty and the half ton will drop dead far quicker than the heavy duty.

And your older F350 will still be in far better control of the trailer vs a modern half ton which are designed for passenger duty and have the suspension setup for that.

In general, we all need to stop looking at the GCWR as if its the final say. It's one number, in a list of numbers, that should be used to make a decision. You literally cannot tow a 5th wheel at 12k pounds with an f150 even though the GCWR says you can.

Oh for sure. In addition to the differentials, brakes, hubs , etc (Full float rear) being heavier the <300 horsepower engine can't really wear anything drivetrain related out

Most of it is the additional power but I'm sure some of the electronic nannies help. I rent trucks to go out of state. The basic uhaul 1/2 tons are really at their limit suspension wise towing my jeep on the trailer. My truck doesn't really feel it much.

But in the hills, the newer 1/2 ton trucks have no problem maintaining the speed limit of the trailer tires. My old f-350 is in the slow lane barely keeping pace with 18 wheelers. There's one place we go that has a VERY steep road to get in - my truck will do 26-30 up it, basically the rev limiter in 2nd gear and that's it. I hit 58 MPH once in a 5.0 F150 and had to let off because there was a slower vehicle infront of me.

I also think that's why so many people have issues now with trailer tires and bearings blowing out constantly. Older trucks used to give everything a chance to cool down if they smelled a hill within 10 miles. Newer ones can just GO all day.

 

[dfarr67]

Its a competition between makers- on paper.

 

[panthermike]

It's a bit ridiculous isn't it? My Tundra had an 11,500 towing capacity, but only 1300 pounds of payload. There's no way to make that work in the real world safely.

 

[CKN]

Oh for sure. In addition to the differentials, brakes, hubs , etc (Full float rear) being heavier the <300 horsepower engine can't really wear anything drivetrain related out

Most of it is the additional power but I'm sure some of the electronic nannies help. I rent trucks to go out of state. The basic uhaul 1/2 tons are really at their limit suspension wise towing my jeep on the trailer. My truck doesn't really feel it much.

But in the hills, the newer 1/2 ton trucks have no problem maintaining the speed limit of the trailer tires. My old f-350 is in the slow lane barely keeping pace with 18 wheelers. There's one place we go that has a VERY steep road to get in - my truck will do 26-30 up it, basically the rev limiter in 2nd gear and that's it. I hit 58 MPH once in a 5.0 F150 and had to let off because there was a slower vehicle infront of me.

I also think that's why so many people have issues now with trailer tires and bearings blowing out constantly. Older trucks used to give everything a chance to cool down if they smelled a hill within 10 miles. Newer ones can just GO all day.

No-people who tow have issues because they pull their trailer out of storage and never check air pressures, don't replace tires when they age out-but still have serviceable tread depth. In addition-they buy a new trailer and do not realize the trailer manufacturers put very little grease in the hubs when they leave the factory.

Then of course there are excessive speeds, curb hopping and making tight turns which are all detrimental to tire life.

WE differ here-the trucks have nothing to do with it.

 

[supton]

It's a bit ridiculous isn't it? My Tundra had an 11,500 towing capacity, but only 1300 pound payload. There's no way to make that work in the real world safely.

If it’s good enough to tow a Space Shuttle, then it’s good enough for me!

 

[PontiacHO]

My 07 dodge ram 2500 diesel has a tow capacity of 12,500 poinds if I remember right. The gcvw is 23,000. Anyways, what have they done to the new trucks that allow them to tow so much? A 2026 dodge ram 3500 has a tow capacity of like 37,000 pounds

These newer ratings fall into the category of: just because it can, doesn’t mean you should. If you need to stop quickly you’ll learn in that second that the heavier object behind you can shove you around.

 

[56Cummins]

My 07 dodge ram 2500 diesel has a tow capacity of 12,500 poinds if I remember right. The gcvw is 23,000. Anyways, what have they done to the new trucks that allow them to tow so much? A 2026 dodge ram 3500 has a tow capacity of like 37,000 pounds

Is your 07 a 6.7l? The late 07.5+ trucks 6 speed auto and factory exhaust brake are a major leap forward in towing performance. Let alone the trq increase from displacement.

A 2025 ram 3500 front rotor diameter is 14.17" vs your 13.99. (No real difference, my opinion)

Maybe an improvement in brake pad and caliper?

 

[svtrit]

They also pull that weight extremely well, which is why so many people pulling a heavy load with their late model truck drive way too fast in the left lane for the load they are carrying.

 

[OM617YOTA]

I was astounded in the opposite direction.

My '98 1 ton 4x4 quad cab long bed dually(yes I'm aware all that adds weight which is subtracted from GVW), 454, brake drums so big I had to take them to a commercial truck shop to have them turned because the local auto parts stores couldn't touch them, only has a tow rating of ....................10,000lbs. A modern 1/2 ton is rated higher.

Thankfully this is still well within whatever I'd want to tow, but I was still astonished at just how low that rating is, especially after watching videos on YT of people with basically the same truck towing 18,000+lbs.

Interesting times.

 

[Vercingetorix]

These go to 11.

 

[The motor guy]

"when properly equipped."

It's a whizzing match between the big players to make a "halo" truck in its class which is probably not going to be terribly available.

I can just see the lawyers licking their chops over this in another decade or so when this gets even more out of hand.