2027 Ram 1500 Towing and Payload: What Shoppers Should Know by Engine

The 2027 Ram 1500’s towing leader is not its most powerful engine. For shoppers comparing Ram 1500 capability around Tilton and routes toward Franklin, the right truck depends on more than horsepower. Towing capacity, payload, cab style, bed length, drivetrain, axle ratio, and equipment all matter.

For a complete look at trims, technology, interior features, and lineup changes, explore the 2027 Ram 1500 profile. For a focused look at capability, the key point is simple: the 3.0-liter Hurricane Standard Output Twin-Turbo I6 leads the listed 2027 Ram 1500 lineup for maximum towing, while the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 eTorque leads for maximum payload.¹

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Quick Answer: Which 2027 Ram 1500 Engine Tows the Most?

The 3.0-liter Hurricane Standard Output Twin-Turbo I6 has the highest listed 2027 Ram 1500 towing capacity at up to 11,530 pounds when properly equipped. The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 eTorque is close behind at up to 11,370 pounds when properly equipped.¹

For payload, the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 eTorque leads the lineup with up to 2,340 pounds of maximum payload.¹

2027 Ram 1500 Maximum Towing and Payload by Engine

Ram lists the following maximum towing and payload ratings by engine. Actual capability varies by configuration, equipment, drivetrain, trim, axle ratio, and options, so shoppers should confirm the rating for the exact truck they are considering before towing or hauling.¹

What Is the Difference Between Towing Capacity and Payload?

Towing capacity is how much weight a truck can pull behind it when properly equipped. Payload is how much weight the truck can carry in or on the vehicle itself, including passengers, cargo, accessories, and trailer tongue weight.

That distinction matters. A driver pulling a trailer toward Laconia may care most about maximum towing capacity. A driver carrying tools, winter gear, yard supplies, or lake-weekend cargo around Lochmere may care just as much about payload. The 2027 Ram 1500 engine with the highest towing figure is not the same engine with the highest payload figure.

Which 2027 Ram 1500 Engine Has the Highest Towing Capacity?

The 3.0-liter Hurricane Standard Output Twin-Turbo I6 has the highest listed towing capacity in the 2027 Ram 1500 lineup, with up to 11,530 pounds of maximum towing when properly equipped.¹

This engine makes 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque, giving it one of the strongest all-around capability profiles in the lineup. For shoppers who want a half-ton truck for trailers, equipment, weekend gear, or regular utility use, the Hurricane SO is the engine to compare first.

The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 eTorque is the next closest towing option at up to 11,370 pounds when properly equipped. That makes it a strong choice for shoppers who want HEMI V8 character while still staying near the top of the Ram 1500 towing chart.¹

Which 2027 Ram 1500 Engine Has the Highest Payload?

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 eTorque has the highest listed maximum payload in the 2027 Ram 1500 lineup at up to 2,340 pounds.¹

That may surprise shoppers who assume the largest or most powerful engine automatically carries the most weight. Payload depends on the full truck configuration, not engine output alone. For many owners, payload affects daily truck usefulness just as much as towing. It matters for bed cargo, passengers, tools, supplies, trailer tongue weight, and the extra gear that always seems to come along for New England weekends.

The 3.0-liter Hurricane SO also performs well for payload, with up to 1,880 pounds listed. That gives it a strong mix of towing and carrying ability for shoppers who want one truck to handle a wide range of needs.¹

Why the Most Powerful 2027 Ram 1500 Does Not Tow the Most

Horsepower helps with acceleration, passing power, and performance feel, but towing capacity depends on the entire truck. Cooling, gearing, frame setup, suspension, axle ratio, brakes, tires, drivetrain, cab, bed, and towing equipment all play a role.

That is why the 777-horsepower 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 does not have the highest listed towing or payload rating. Its up to 8,580 pounds of maximum towing and up to 1,140 pounds of maximum payload are strong figures, but that engine is tied to high-performance Ram 1500 applications such as TRX SRT and Rumble Bee SRT, where speed and performance are the main story.¹ ² ³

The same idea applies to the 3.0-liter Hurricane High Output Twin-Turbo I6. It makes 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque, but its listed maximum towing figure is up to 9,480 pounds. The Hurricane HO is more about power delivery and performance feel than claiming the highest tow rating.¹

3.6L Pentastar V6 eTorque: Strongest Listed Payload

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 eTorque makes 305 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. It offers up to 8,100 pounds of maximum towing and up to 2,340 pounds of maximum payload.¹

This engine can make sense for shoppers who carry more than they tow. It is a practical fit for everyday truck use, from home projects and bulky cargo to family gear and seasonal supplies. For drivers who want a Ram 1500 that stays useful during the workweek and easy to live with around town, the V6 eTorque deserves attention.

5.7L HEMI V8: Classic V8 Character

The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 makes 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. In non-eTorque form, it offers up to 8,890 pounds of maximum towing and up to 1,150 pounds of maximum payload.¹

This engine’s appeal is not about leading the towing or payload chart. It is about familiar HEMI response and V8 character. For shoppers who tow occasionally, want a traditional V8, and do not need the maximum Ram 1500 towing rating, this engine remains an important part of the 2027 lineup.

5.7L HEMI V8 eTorque: The HEMI Choice for Higher Towing

The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 eTorque keeps the same 395 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque while raising maximum towing to up to 11,370 pounds. Payload is listed at up to 1,680 pounds.¹

For shoppers who want V8 personality with stronger towing capability, this is the key HEMI setup to compare. It sits just below the Hurricane SO for listed maximum towing, making it a strong match for drivers who want to pull more without stepping away from the HEMI name.

3.0L Hurricane SO Twin-Turbo I6: The Towing Leader

The 3.0-liter Hurricane Standard Output Twin-Turbo I6 makes 420 horsepower and 469 lb-ft of torque. It also posts the highest listed maximum towing figure in the 2027 Ram 1500 lineup: up to 11,530 pounds.¹

This engine is the practical headline for towing-focused shoppers. It has more torque than the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 and leads the lineup in maximum tow rating. For many Ram 1500 buyers, that makes it the engine to start with when comparing trucks for trailers, equipment, and weekend hauling.

3.0L Hurricane HO Twin-Turbo I6: More Power, Different Mission

The 3.0-liter Hurricane High Output Twin-Turbo I6 raises output to 540 horsepower and 521 lb-ft of torque. Its maximum towing rating is up to 9,480 pounds, with payload listed at up to 1,530 pounds.¹

This engine is not the top towing choice, but it brings serious performance. It can suit shoppers who want a high-output truck with strong acceleration, premium response, and plenty of usable capability for normal truck tasks. For drivers comparing towing first, the Hurricane SO is the better number on paper. For drivers comparing power and feel, the Hurricane HO has its own appeal.

6.4L HEMI V8: Performance-Oriented V8 Strength

The 6.4-liter HEMI V8 makes 470 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. Its maximum towing rating is up to 7,460 pounds, and maximum payload is up to 1,160 pounds.¹

This engine belongs more to the performance side of the 2027 Ram 1500 story. It gives shoppers another V8 option, but it should not be confused with the maximum towing setup. Buyers interested in the 6.4-liter HEMI should compare it for the way it drives, sounds, and fits the truck’s performance-oriented trims rather than treating it as the lineup’s heavy-hauling choice.

6.2L Supercharged HEMI V8: Maximum Power, Performance Focus

The 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 is the highest-output engine listed for the 2027 Ram 1500 lineup. With 777 horsepower and 680 lb-ft of torque, it is built for performance-focused models such as the TRX SRT and Rumble Bee SRT.¹ ² ³

Its towing and payload numbers are up to 8,580 pounds and up to 1,140 pounds. That contrast tells the story. This engine can still tow a meaningful amount when properly equipped, but shoppers with maximum towing or payload as the top priority should look first at the Hurricane SO, HEMI eTorque, or Pentastar V6 eTorque.

How to Choose the Right 2027 Ram 1500 Engine for Your Needs

The best 2027 Ram 1500 engine depends on the work you expect the truck to do.

Choose the 3.0-liter Hurricane SO Twin-Turbo I6 if maximum towing is the priority. Choose the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 eTorque if maximum payload is the number you care about most. Choose the 5.7-liter HEMI V8 eTorque if you want strong towing with HEMI character. Choose the Hurricane HO or supercharged HEMI if performance is higher on your list than max towing.

For many Tilton-area shoppers, the smartest move is to start with the real job: trailer, boat, equipment, family cargo, commute, or weekend use. A truck that looks right on paper still needs the right axle ratio, cab, bed, drivetrain, and equipment to match your plans.

Towing Technology to Look For

The 2027 Ram 1500 lineup also offers towing technology that can make trailering easier. Available equipment includes a fully digital rearview mirror with tow mode, trailer reverse steering control, Blind-spot Monitoring with Trailer Tow Detection System, and power trailer-tow mirrors with adjustable convex auxiliary mirrors.¹

Ram’s surround 360-degree camera system is standard on Limited, Limited Longhorn, and RHO, and available with Laramie and Rebel Level 1 Equipment Groups for the first time. For drivers backing a trailer into a driveway, lining up near a boat launch, or maneuvering around a tight work area, camera visibility can be just as useful as engine output.¹

2027 Ram 1500 Towing and Payload FAQ

Does the most powerful 2027 Ram 1500 engine tow the most?

No. The 777-horsepower 6.2-liter supercharged HEMI V8 is the most powerful listed engine, but the 3.0-liter Hurricane SO Twin-Turbo I6 has the highest listed maximum towing capacity at up to 11,530 pounds when properly equipped.¹

Is the Hurricane SO or HEMI eTorque better for towing?

The Hurricane SO has the higher listed maximum towing capacity at up to 11,530 pounds. The 5.7-liter HEMI V8 eTorque is very close at up to 11,370 pounds and may appeal to shoppers who want HEMI V8 character.¹

Which 2027 Ram 1500 engine has the best payload?

The 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 eTorque has the highest listed maximum payload at up to 2,340 pounds. Payload ratings vary by configuration, so always confirm the rating for the specific truck before loading cargo.¹

What should I check before towing with a Ram 1500?

Confirm the truck’s exact tow rating, payload rating, gross vehicle weight rating, gross combined weight rating, axle ratio, hitch equipment, trailer weight, tongue weight, and owner’s manual guidance. The maximum listed rating only applies when the truck is properly equipped.

Can Nucar CDJR of Tilton help compare Ram 1500 towing equipment?

Yes. The team at Nucar Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Tilton can help shoppers compare engines, trims, cab sizes, bed lengths, 4×4 availability, towing features, and payload ratings for a specific Ram 1500.

Compare 2027 Ram 1500 Capability at Nucar CDJR of Tilton

A maximum tow rating is only useful if it matches the exact truck in front of you. Nucar Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Tilton can help you compare Ram 1500 engines, trims, cab sizes, bed lengths, 4×4 availability, towing equipment, and payload ratings before you decide.

Browse our new Ram inventory, value your current truck, or start your finance application online. From work routes through Franklin and Belmont to weekend projects closer to home, the right Ram 1500 configuration can make a real difference. Everyone loves a Nucar!