Date Published: June 04, 2026 | Last Modified: 1 hour ago | 3 minute read by Matt Brill at Redwater Dodge

Whether you are hauling a camper across the rigorous terrain of the Canadian Rockies or transporting heavy equipment between job sites, understanding your truck's towing capabilities is absolutely paramount.

One of the most frequent topics Matt at Redwater Dodge encounters revolves around towing, fifth-wheel hitches, and your generic hitch setups. Navigating the world of towing specifications can feel overwhelming, but understanding the fundamentals will ensure that you, your family, and your cargo remain safe on the road.

Standard Towing Equipment on All Ram Trucks

First and foremost, let us talk about standard equipment. A major advantage of choosing the Ram brand is that all Ram products across the board now come factory-equipped with hitches for the rear. You do not need to worry about retrofitting your new truck just to pull a standard bumper-pull trailer. Furthermore, both the 4-pin and 7-pin wiring plugs are included right from the factory, seamlessly integrated into the rear bumper. For those who require ultimate control while travelling, there is also the option to include a factory-integrated trailer brake controller, allowing you to seamlessly manage your trailer’s braking power directly from the driver's seat.

The 1-Ton Advantage: The Fifth-Wheel Prep Package

When it comes to stepping up to the heavy-duty 1-ton trucks, the game changes entirely. If you are looking at purchasing a large fifth-wheel trailer that you will be hauling regularly, you are going to want to seriously consider finding a Ram equipped with the factory 5th-wheel prep package.

Why is this so important? The factory prep package includes the under-bed structural support and the integrated puck system. This means that instead of paying for costly aftermarket rails and drilling permanent holes into your pristine truck box, which wasn't designed for it from the factory, you simply need to buy a drop-in hitch. At the end of the day, investing in a truck with the factory prep package is significantly cheaper, protects the resale value of your vehicle, and provides a much cleaner, more functional truck bed when the hitch is removed.

Sizing Your Hitch: Don't Skimp on the Buffer

As far as the size of the hitch goes, this is an area where a lot of customers overlook crucial details. When you are shopping for a hitch, you must ensure you know the gross weight of your trailer when it is fully loaded with all your gear, water, and supplies, not just its dry weight. Getting this number right ensures you are buying the proper hitch for the job.

For example, if your fully loaded trailer weighs 15,000 pounds, I strongly advise against buying a hitch rated for exactly 15,000 or 16,000 pounds. You never want to max out your equipment's limits. Instead, I would highly recommend considering an 18,000 to 20,000-pound hitch. The price difference between a 16k hitch and a 20k hitch is marginal, but the added peace of mind, safety buffer, and durability are invaluable.

Ram 2500 vs. Ram 3500: Do Your Homework

Finally, before making a purchase, you must do your homework on the truck itself, particularly when choosing between a Ram 2500 (3/4-ton) and a Ram 3500 (1-ton). While both are incredibly capable heavy-duty trucks, there are distinct differences in their payload and towing capacities. Because fifth-wheel trailers place a significant amount of "pin weight" directly into the bed of the truck, payload capacity is often just as critical as overall towing capacity. Ensure the specific trim, engine choice (like the legendary Cummins Turbo Diesel), and suspension setup align with the weight of your trailer.

If you have any questions on hitches, payload capacities, or finding the perfect Rig Ready Ram for your towing needs, give our expert team a call at 780-942-3629. We are here to help you haul with confidence.

Matt Brill-- Sales Manager at Redwater Dodge