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How Much Can A 2018 One Ton Truck Tow Without Exceeding Ratings?

Other years: 2015 —2016—2017

Welcome to our exclusive one-of-a-kind web page showing a quick preview of the best 2018 one ton trucks listed with diesel engines that includes the important rating details. Additional tow rating resources for other vehicles is found in the "Tow Ratings" menu above.

Important Notes:

  1. The vehicles shown below are base models with the highest capacity, and without all the bells and whistles.
  2. Therefore, any of the fancy truck's tow ratings will be less than what is shown below.
  3. As truck weight increases, the towing capacity will decrease, such as going from a 4X2 to a 4X4 model.
  4. Selecting optional gear ratio within the same vehicle will result in significant towing capacity changes. Examples of this are highlighted with green within the Ram trucks below.
  5. We did our best to present similar trucks within each brand.
  6. Realistic vehicle towing capacities (RVTC) are provided by RV Tow Check (RVTC set at 12% TW and 20% PW.)
  7. For RVTC, we calculated additional load as follows: 5th wheel hitch—checked, cargo=150 lbs, two passengers=335 lbs.
WARNING! Never tow more than the manufacturer's published rating found in the vehicle owner's manual. Always ensure the hitch system meets the minimum towing weight of the trailer towed and it complies with the manufacturer's requirements.

Notice:
1. All rating information has been taken from published information provided by the manufacturer. Always verify vehicle ratings with the dealer. Ratings are subject to change by the manufacturer without notice. There may be slight differences between manufacturer's online views and PDF files.

2. "TWR" = Published, as in manufacturers' published information.

3. CC=Crew Cab, DC=Double Cab, QC=Quad Cab

(Updated 7/10/18)

Ford F350 SD + F450 SD

Cab/Drive CC 4X2 SRW CC 4X2 SRW CC 4X2 DRW CC 4X2 DRW F450 4X2
Compare
Box Length (ft) 6.5 8 8 8 8
Wheelbase (in) 159.8 176 176 176 176
Engine 6.7L PS Diesel 6.7L PS Diesel 6.7L PS Diesel 6.7L PS Diesel 6.7L PS Diesel
Gear Ratio 3.31 & 3.55 3.31 & 3.55 3.55 4.10 4.30
Payload 4,130 4,100 6.950 6,950 5,630
GCWR 28,700 28,700 36,000 40,000 42,800
GVWR 11,300 11,500 14,000 14,000 14,000
GVW (Curb Wt.) 7033 7,260 7,694 7,694 8,260
TWR Gooseneck 21,000 20,800 27,700 31,700 34,000
TWR 5th Wheel 18,000 18,000 27,500* 27,500* 27,500*
TWR Conventional 15,000 18,000 21,000 21,000 21,000
RVTC by RV Tow Check
5th Wheel 17,660 17,525 27,500 27,500 25,025
Conventional 15,000 18,000 21,000 21,000 21,000

*  Ford's 5th wheel hitch is rated to a maximum of 27,500 lbs. (F350-17" wheels, F450-19.5" wheels)
2017 Ford Towing Specifications

Chevrolet/GMC 3500 HD

(Same as 2017)
Cab/Drive CC 4X2 SRW CC 4X2 SRW CC 4X2 DRW
Box Length (ft) 6.5 8 8
Wheelbase (in) 153.7 167.7 167.7
Engine 6.6L Duramax 6.6L Duramax 6.6L Duramax
Gear Ratio 3.73 3.73 3.73
Max Payload 3,821 3,993 5,281
GCWR 25,300 25,300 31,300
GVWR 11,100 11,400 13,025
GVW (Curb Wt.) 7,254 7,382 7,719
TWR 5th Wheel 17,500 17,400 23,100
TWR Conventional 13,000 14,500 20,000
RVTC by RV Tow Check
5th Wheel** 15,555 16,415 22,846
Conventional 13,000 14,000 20,000
2018 Chevrolet Specifications

Ram 3500 HD

Note the difference how gear ratio will change the GCWR and towing capacity of nearly identical trucks.
Cab/Drive CC 4X2 SRW CC 4X2 SRW CC 4X2 DRW CC 4X2 DRW
Box Length (ft/in) 6'4" 8 8 8
Wheelbase (in) 148.8 168.9 168.9 168.9
Engine 6.7L (HO) 6.7L (HO) 6.7L (HO) 6.7L (HO)
Gear Ratio 3.42 3.42 3.73 4.10
Payload 4,000 4,370 6,030 6,030
GCWR 25,300 25,300 33,800 39,100
GVWR 11,500 12,000 14,000 14,000
GVW (Curb Wt.) 7,498 7,628 7,972 7,972
TWR 5th Wheel 17,330 17,200 25,360 30,660
TWR Conventional 18,000 18,000 18,000 18,000
RVTC by RV Tow Check
5th Wheel 16,335 16,937 25,093 26,465
Conventional 17,317 17,187 18,000 18,000
2018 Ram 3500 Towing Specs

Ram 3500 HD Mega Cab

(Same as 2017)
Note the difference how gear ratio will change the GCWR and towing capacity of nearly identical trucks.
Cab/Drive 4X2 SRW 4X2 DRW 4X2 DRW
Box Length (feet/inches) 6'4" 6'4" 6'4"
Wheelbase (inches) 160 160 160
Engine 6.7L (HO) 6.7L (HO) 6.7L (HO)
Gear Ratio 3.42 3.73 4.10
Payload 3,760 5,770 5,770
GCWR 25,300 33,800 39,100
GVWR 11,600 14,000 14,000
GVW (Curb Wt.) 7,835 8,226 8,226
TWR 5th Wheel 16,990 25,100 30,400
TWR Conventional 18,000 18,000 18,000
RVTC by RV Tow Check
5th Wheel 15,150 24,839 25,195
Conventional 16,990 18,000 18,000
2018 Ram 3500 Towing Specs

"I have a 41 foot 5th wheel being pulled with a three-quarter-ton diesel and have no problems so far. Love it."

Escapees front cover July 2016Statements similar to the one above occur every day on various social media forums. Unfortunately, these statements are not helpful and could very well lead someone to purchase a trailer much too big for their tow vehicle. I know this first hand because I learned this costly lesson in 2009. Read more here.


Additional notes:

  1. Conventional trailer tongue weight should be 10% to 15% of total loaded trailer weight and not exceeding the installed hitch assembly. The addition of trailer tongue weight must not cause vehicle to exceed rear gross axle weight rating (RGAWR) or gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
  2. Fifth-wheel or gooseneck kingpin weight should be 15% to 25% of total loaded trailer weight. The addition of trailer kingpin weight cannot cause vehicle to exceed rear gross axle weight rating (RGAWR) or gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
  3. The towing vehicle's brake system is rated for operation at the GVWR - NOT GCWR. Separate functional brake systems should be used for safe control of towed vehicles and for trailers weighing more than 1,500 lbs. when loaded.
  4. These ratings can be found on the certification label located on the driver door or door frame.
  5. Read "Before You Buy RV..." for additional information.

8Muddypaws says that the RV Tow Check App should be called the

"RV Sales BS Detector."

RVtowCheck app

FWS Recommended TPMS

FWS Recommended Reading


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