2012 Ram 2500 SLT Max Towing Capacity & Payload
Max Towing Capacity
14,250 lbs
Safe limit: 11,400 lbs (80% rule)
Max Payload
2,090 lbs
Often the real limiting factor
Fuel Economy
13.7 mpg
12 city / 16 hwy (EPA Est.)
The 2012 Ram 2500 SLT is rated to tow up to 14,250 lbs powered by the 5.7L. For real-world towing, the practical limit is 11,400 lbs — that's 80% of max, giving you margin for hills, headwinds, and load variation. The payload rating of 2,090 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 a great selection of travel trailers, toy haulers, and many fifth wheels.
Recommended Equipment
Towing Gear for This Truck
Matched to this trim's Class IV hitch class and 14,250 lb tow rating
Class IV 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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Weight Distribution Hitch
Strongly recommended for trailers over 6,000 lbs to level the load and reduce sway.
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Full Data
Specifications
Towing & Capacity
Engine & Performance
Dimensions
SpecificationValueShopLearn More
Towing
Payload & Weight
Curb Weight
6,706 lbs
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Engine
Engine
5.7L
Horsepower
383 HP @ 5600 rpm
Torque
400 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Drive Type
Four Wheel Drive
Fuel Type
Regular unleaded
Fuel Tank
34.0 gallons
Fuel Economy (EPA)
City12 mpg
Highway16 mpg
Combined14 mpg
Real-World (Fuelly, 254 owners)13.7 mpg
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Dimensions
Overall Length248.4"
Overall Width79.1"
Height78.3"
Cab Typemega
What Can I Tow?
RV Class Compatibility
Based on a safe tow limit of 11,400 lbs and 2,090 lb payload. Shows what % of each RV class in our database you can tow.
RV Type
Weight Range
Coverage
Status
Fifth Wheels
5th Wheel
1,176 – 24,000 lbs
Limited
Destination Trailers
Bumper Pull
9,800 – 16,500 lbs
Limited
⚠ Vehicle capacity only — does not include passengers, gear, or tongue weight. Run the full calculator →
Compare Configurations
Other 2012 Ram 2500 Trims
| Configuration | Max Towing | MPG | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Ram 2500 Tradesman RWD | 20,000 lbs | 13.6 mpg | View → |
| 2024 Ram 2500 Tradesman Fleet 4dr Crew Cab SB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) | 20,000 lbs | — | View → |
| 2024 Ram 2500 Tradesman 4dr Crew Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) | 20,000 lbs | — | View → |
| 2024 Ram 2500 Tradesman RWD | 19,990 lbs | 13.6 mpg | View → |
| 2024 Ram 2500 Tradesman 2dr Regular Cab LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) | 19,990 lbs | — | View → |
| 2024 Ram 2500 Tradesman 4WD | 19,980 lbs | 13.6 mpg | View → |
| 2024 Ram 2500 Tradesman 2dr Regular Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) 4WD | 19,980 lbs | — | View → |
| 2024 Ram 2500 Tradesman 4WD | 18,230 lbs | 13.6 mpg | View → |
| 2024 Ram 2500 Tradesman 4dr Crew Cab 4WD LB (6.4L 8cyl 8A) 4WD | 18,230 lbs | — | View → |
| 2024 Ram 2500 Rebel 4WD | 16,870 lbs | 13.6 mpg | View → |
Questions & Answers
Common Questions
How much can I actually tow with my 2012 Ram 2500 SLT?
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The 2012 Ram 2500 SLT is rated at 14,250 lbs maximum — but the real-world best practice is the 80% rule: target 11,400 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 2,090 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 2012 Ram 2500 SLT, you need a Class IV receiver hitch rated for 14,250 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 11,400 lb safe towing capacity, you're looking at a great selection of travel trailers, toy haulers, and many fifth wheels. 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 9,600 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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