2021 Ram 1500 Limited 4dr Crew Cab 5.6 ft SB (5.7L 8cyl 8A) Max Towing Capacity & Payload
Max Towing Capacity
0 lbs
Safe limit: 0 lbs (80% rule)
Max Payload
1,550 lbs
Often the real limiting factor
Fuel Economy
19.0 mpg
17 city / 23 hwy (EPA Est.)
The 2021 Ram 1500 Limited 4dr Crew Cab 5.6 ft SB (5.7L 8cyl 8A) is rated to tow up to 0 lbs powered by the 5.7L. For real-world towing, the practical limit is 0 lbs — that's 80% of max, giving you margin for hills, headwinds, and load variation. The payload rating of 1,550 lbs is the number to watch closely — once you add passengers, hitch weight, and gear, it fills faster than most people expect. With this setup, you're looking at pop-up campers and smaller travel trailers.
Recommended Equipment
Towing Gear for This Truck
Matched to this trim's Class II hitch class and 0 lb tow rating
Class II Hitch Receiver
Required for towing. 2" receiver is standard on tow-equipped models.
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Trailer Wiring Adapter
7-pin to 4-pin adapters for trailer brake lights and signals.
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Brake Controller
Required by law in most states for trailers over 3,000 lbs.
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Trailer Wiring Adapter
7-pin to 4-pin adapters for brake lights and signals on lighter trailers.
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Full Data
Specifications
Towing & Capacity
Engine & Performance
Dimensions
SpecificationValueShopLearn More
Towing
Payload & Weight
Curb Weight
5,345 lbs
SpecificationValueShopLearn More
Engine
Engine
5.7L
Horsepower
395 HP
Torque
410 lb-ft
Transmission
8-speed shiftable automatic
Drive Type
RWD
Fuel Type
Regular unleaded
Fuel Economy (EPA)
City17 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Combined19 mpg
SpecificationValueShopLearn More
Dimensions
Overall Length232.9"
Overall Width82.1"
Height77.5"
What Can I Tow?
RV Class Compatibility
Based on a safe tow limit of 0 lbs and 1,550 lb payload. Shows what % of each RV class in our database you can tow.
Use the tow calculator to find RVs that match your towing capacity.
Open Tow CalculatorCompare Configurations
Other 2021 Ram 1500 Trims
| Configuration | Max Towing | MPG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Ram 1500 Tradesman RWD | 11,610 lbs | 22.0 mpg | View → |
| 2026 Ram 1500 Tradesman RWD | 11,490 lbs | 22.0 mpg | View → |
| 2026 Ram 1500 Tradesman RWD | 11,420 lbs | 21.0 mpg | View → |
| 2026 Ram 1500 Tradesman 4WD | 11,370 lbs | 21.0 mpg | View → |
| 2026 Ram 1500 Tradesman 4WD | 11,220 lbs | 20.0 mpg | View → |
| 2026 Ram 1500 Tradesman 4WD | 11,200 lbs | 21.0 mpg | View → |
| 2026 Ram 1500 Limited Longhorn 4WD | 10,000 lbs | 17.0 mpg | View → |
| 2026 Ram 1500 Limited 4WD | 10,000 lbs | 17.0 mpg | View → |
| 2026 Ram 1500 RHO 4WD | 9,920 lbs | 15.0 mpg | View → |
| 2026 Ram 1500 RHO 4WD | 9,920 lbs | 15.0 mpg | View → |
Questions & Answers
Common Questions
How much can I actually tow with my 2021 Ram 1500 Limited 4dr Crew Cab 5.6 ft SB (5.7L 8cyl 8A)?
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The 2021 Ram 1500 Limited 4dr Crew Cab 5.6 ft SB (5.7L 8cyl 8A) is rated at 0 lbs maximum — but the real-world best practice is the 80% rule: target 0 lbs as your practical limit. This gives you margin for hills, headwinds, braking distance, and real-world load variance. More critically, check your payload first — the door sticker tells you your specific truck's limit, and payload may be your actual binding constraint.
What about payload — how much stuff can I put in the truck?
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You have 1,550 lbs of payload capacity — that's everything going IN the truck: passengers (~150 lbs each), camping gear, coolers, and critically the tongue weight from your trailer. For bumper pull trailers, tongue weight is typically 10–15% of the trailer's loaded weight. It fills up faster than most people expect, especially on longer trips.
What kind of hitch do I need?
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For the 2021 Ram 1500 Limited 4dr Crew Cab 5.6 ft SB (5.7L 8cyl 8A), you need a Class II receiver hitch rated for 0 lbs. Don't skimp here — the hitch is the critical link between truck and trailer. For fifth wheel towing, you'll need a dedicated kingpin-style fifth wheel hitch mounted in the truck bed.
What types of RVs will work with my truck?
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With your 0 lb safe towing capacity, you're looking at pop-up campers and smaller travel trailers. The compatibility chart above shows what percentage of each RV class in our database you can handle. Use the Tow Calculator to check a specific RV including gear, water, and passengers.
What does GVWR mean and why should I care?
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GVWR is Gross Vehicle Weight Rating — the maximum your truck can weigh when fully loaded with people, gear, and fuel. Your truck's GVWR is 0 lbs. Exceed it and you're over-stressing brakes, suspension, and tires. This is different from towing capacity — it's about what the truck itself can carry.
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