The 2009 Dodge RAM 3500 is more than just a truck. With a heart of steel and power to match, it’s a formidable force on the road, adept at handling tough towing tasks and transporting heavy payloads.

The 2009 RAM 3500 model offers substantial towing and payload capacities that differentiate it from other trucks in its class, demonstrating the versatility and capabilities of this pickup truck.

In this article, we’ll take a deeper look at the towing capacity and payload capacity of the 2009 Dodge RAM 3500, with each engine option explained in detail.

The 2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing Capacity ranges between 9,700 – 17,000 pounds and has a maximum payload capacity of 5,130 pounds. These capacities vary depending on factors such as the vehicle’s Curb Weight, Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Configurations, and other factors.

2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing and Payload Capacity Chart

EnginesGCWRMax. Towing CapacityMax. Payload Capacity
6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel24,000 lbs.17,000 lbs.5,130 lbs.
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing and Payload Capacity Chart

The 2009 Dodge RAM 3500, equipped with a 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel engine, can tow a maximum of up to 17,000 lbs and carry a payload of 5,130 lbs.

It’s important to note that the towing and payload capacity of your RAM 3500 will depend on the specific configuration of your vehicle, including the engine, transmission, axle ratio, and other factors.

Don’t forget, it’s super important to keep in mind that the combined weight of your RAM 3500 and trailer can’t exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) that’s specified for your truck.

Here I’ve collected all the 2009 Dodge RAM 3500 towing and payload capacity information from the official RAM resources including the 2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Brochure and ramtrucks.com.

Trims and Cabs – 2009 Dodge RAM 3500

The 2009 Dodge Ram is available in various trim levels and cabs as listed below:

Trim Levels: ST, SLT, SXT, and Laramie

Cab Options: Regular Cab, Quad Cab, and Mega Cab

Towing Capacity by Engines – 2009 Dodge RAM 3500

The towing capacity of the 2009 Dodge RAM 3500 varies based on the engine type, transmission, and axle ratio. Let’s take a deeper look at these differences in towing capacity:

2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing Capacity & Payload Capacity Chart 2 Cummins Engines
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing Capacity Chart
EnginesTransmissionAxle RatioGCWRMax. Towing Capacity
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6Automatic3.4217,000 lbs10,350 lbs
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6Automatic3.7321,000 lbs14,350 lbs
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6Automatic4.1023,000 lbs16,350 lbs
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6Automatic4.1024,000 lbs17,000 lbs
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6Manual3.7319,000 lbs12,300 lbs
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6Manual3.7321,000 lbs14,300 lbs
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing Capacity Chart

6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel Towing Capacity

The 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel I-6 engine offers more configurations and choices.

With an automatic transmission and a 3.42 axle ratio, the GCWR is 17,000 lbs, and the maximum towing capacity is 10,350 lbs.

Opting for a higher axle ratio of 3.73 increases the GCWR to 21,000 lbs and boosts the towing capacity to a significant 14,350 lbs.

The automatic variant with a 4.10 axle ratio, has a GCWR of 23,000-24,000 lbs and boosts the towing capacity to a significant 16,350-17,000 lbs.

For those preferring a manual transmission, the 3.73 axle ratio offers a GCWR of 19,000-21,000 lbs and a maximum towing capacity of 12,300-14,300 lbs. These configurations cater to diverse needs, from daily driving to heavy-duty towing.

Payload Capacity Chart – 2009 Dodge RAM 3500

The payload capacity of the 2009 Dodge RAM 3500, much like its towing capacity, varies depending on the engine and transmission type. Here is a detailed breakdown:

2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing Capacity & Payload Capacity Chart 1 Cummins Engines
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Payload Capacity Chart
EnginesTransmissionGVWRMax. Payload Capacity
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6Automatic9,000 lbs3,620 lbs
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6Automatic10,100 lbs3,300 lbs
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6Automatic10,500 lbs4,820 lbs
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6Automatic11,500 lbs5,130 lbs
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6Manual12,200 lbs3,540 lbs
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6Manual10,500 lbs3,230 lbs
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6Manual11,500 lbs4,740 lbs
6.7L Cummins Turbo Diesel I-6Manual12,200 lbs5,070 lbs
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Payload Capacity Chart

6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel Payload Capacity

The 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel I-6 engine provides several configurations based on the type of transmission, each with its own GVWR rating.

The automatic transmission variant offers a maximum payload capacity of 5,130 lbs, which is substantial enough to cover both work and leisure use.

If you prefer a manual transmission, the maximum payload capacity is slightly reduced to 5,070 lbs.

While this is marginally lower than the automatic transmission variant, it still comfortably fulfills a wide range of payload needs.

Towing and Payload Capacity by Cabs

2009 Dodge RAM 3500 offers a range of cab options to cater to the diverse needs of truck enthusiasts. The Regular Cab, Quad Cab, and Mega Cab all come with different towing and payload capacities, which vary based on the engine that powers them.

Regular Cab

Cab Conf.EngineDriveMaximum Towing CapacityMaximum Payload Capacity
REGULAR CAB6.7L Cummins (Auto)4×216,150 lbs4,820 lbs
REGULAR CAB6.7L Cummins (Auto)4×416,800 lbs5,130 lbs
REGULAR CAB6.7L Cummins (Manual)4×214,100 lbs4,740 lbs
REGULAR CAB6.7L Cummins (Manual)4×413,700 lbs5,070 lbs
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing and Payload Capacity Chart – Regular Cab

Quad Cab

Cab Conf.EngineDriveMaximum Towing CapacityMaximum Payload Capacity
QUAD CAB6.7L Cummins (Auto)SB 4×216,350 lbs3,620 lbs
QUAD CAB6.7L Cummins (Auto)LB 4×216,250 lbs4,480 lbs
QUAD CAB6.7L Cummins (Auto)SB 4×417,000 lbs3,230 lbs
QUAD CAB6.7L Cummins (Auto)LB 4×416,900 lbs4,850 lbs
QUAD CAB6.7L Cummins (Manual)SB 4×214,300 lbs3,540 lbs
QUAD CAB6.7L Cummins (Manual)LB 4×214,150 lbs4,410 lbs
QUAD CAB6.7L Cummins (Manual)SB 4×413,900 lbs3,170 lbs
QUAD CAB6.7L Cummins (Manual)LB 4×413,750 lbs4,780 lbs
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing and Payload Capacity Chart – Quad Cab

Mega Cab

Cab Conf.EngineDriveMaximum Towing CapacityMaximum Payload Capacity
MEGA CAB6.7L Cummins (Auto)4×216,050 lbs3,310 lbs
MEGA CAB6.7L Cummins (Auto)4×416,700 lbs2,970 lbs
MEGA CAB6.7L Cummins (Manual)4×214,000 lbs3,240 lbs
MEGA CAB6.7L Cummins (Manual)4×413,650 lbs2,900 lbs
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing and Payload Capacity Chart – Mega Cab

More Useful Charts – 2009 Dodge RAM 3500

Below I’ve attached the charts that I found from the official resource and categorized them based on the 2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Cab styles.

From these charts, you can find every configuration of your truck and a bunch of information regarding Towing and Payload capacity, GCWR, GVWR, Axle Ratios, Trans Type, Engines, Transmission, and Base Weight.

Regular Cab:

2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing Capacity & Payload Capacity Chart 1
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing & Payload Capacity Chart 1
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing Capacity & Payload Capacity Chart 2
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing & Payload Capacity Chart 2

Quad Cab:

2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing Capacity & Payload Capacity Chart 3
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing & Payload Capacity Chart 3
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing Capacity & Payload Capacity Chart 4
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing & Payload Capacity Chart 4
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing Capacity & Payload Capacity Chart 5
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing & Payload Capacity Chart 5
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing Capacity & Payload Capacity Chart 6
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing & Payload Capacity Chart 6
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing Capacity & Payload Capacity Chart 7
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing & Payload Capacity Chart 7
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing Capacity & Payload Capacity Chart 8
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing & Payload Capacity Chart 8

Mega Cab:

2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing Capacity & Payload Capacity Chart 9
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing & Payload Capacity Chart 9
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing Capacity & Payload Capacity Chart 10
2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Towing & Payload Capacity Chart 10

Towing Equipment Required

When it comes to towing, regardless of your vehicle, you’ll need some additional equipment to ensure a safe and successful tow. Here are some of the essential pieces of equipment you’ll need:

  • Hitch: The hitch serves as the connection between your trailer and your vehicle. Choosing the right hitch is crucial, as it must match your trailer’s weight and size and your vehicle’s towing capacity.
  • Trailer Wiring: This allows your trailer to connect to your vehicle’s electrical system, ensuring the brake lights, turn signals, and other necessary functions work in sync with your vehicle.
  • Brake Controller: If your trailer is equipped with its own braking system, a brake controller will be necessary to activate them from your vehicle. This ensures that your trailer will stop smoothly and safely when you apply your vehicle’s brakes.
  • Weight Distribution Hitch: For heavy trailers, a weight distribution hitch can help distribute the weight more evenly across your vehicle and trailer, thereby enhancing stability and control.
  • Towing Mirrors: Standard side mirrors on your vehicle may not provide sufficient visibility when towing. In such instances, you can add towing mirrors to ensure a better view of your trailer and the road behind you.
  • Sway Control: This device helps prevent your trailer from swaying side to side while you’re towing, contributing to a safer and more controlled drive.

To sum up, it’s crucial to equip your vehicle correctly to ensure safe and successful towing. Always refer to your owner’s manual and consult with a professional if you have any doubts or questions about the appropriate towing equipment for your vehicle.

Useful Resources

2009 Dodge RAM 3500 Brochure PDF

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 2009 Dodge RAM 3500 offers impressive towing and payload capacities, making it an exceptional choice for truck owners who demand both performance and practicality.

With its 6.7L Cummins® Turbo Diesel engine, it can tow a maximum of 17,000 lbs and has a Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of 24,000 lbs. On the other hand, the maximum payload capacity is 5,130 lbs.

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