[DravenBlack]

I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 with the 4.7L Magnum. It's a quad cab with the 6 ft bed and a 5 speed automatic transmission. I tried looking around online to find the towing capacity for it but I can't seem to find a straight answer. If I dont have the bed full of things and I'm towing a trailer, what is the max load I can haul with the trailer hitch

 

[HemiLonestar]

2wd or 4wd?

 

[Doug D]

FWIW - I have a '06 Dodge Ram 1500 QC 2WD w/Hemi and Dodge gave it a tow rating of 7,750 lbs (assumes 150 lb driver).

I found this: 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 - Trailer Towing Specs

But according to the chart listed, in 2003 the automatic was a 4 speed, not a 5 speed.

Quad Cab™ 2WD
GVWR​	Box​	Engine​	Transmission​	Axel Ratio​	Payload​	Curb Wt.​	GCWR, lbs.(a)​	GTWR, lbs.(b)​
6350​	6.3​	3.7L V-6​	Manual 5-speed​	3.55, 3.92​	1550​	4804​	8000​	3050​
6350​	​	3.7L V-6​	Auto. 4-speed​	3.55, 3.92​	1490​	4863​	8500​	3500​
6650​	​	4.7L V-8​	Manual 5-speed​	3.55​	1740​	4906​	9500​	4450​
6650​	​	4.7L V-8​	Manual 5-speed​	3.92​	1740​	4906​	10,500​	5450​
6650​	​	4.7L V-8 w/20" Tires​	Manual 5-speed​	3.92​	1680​	4966​	9500​	4400​
6650​	​	4.7L V-8​	Auto. 4-speed​	3.55​	1700​	4951​	11,500​	6400​
6650​	​	4.7L V-8​	Auto. 4-speed​	3.92​	1700​	4951​	12,500​	7400​
6650​	​	4.7L V-8 w/20" Tires​	Auto. 4-speed​	3.92​	1640​	5011​	11,500​	6350​
6650​	​	5.9L V-8​	Auto. 4-speed​	3.55​	1640​	5015​	12,500​	7350​
6650​	​	5.9L V-8​	Auto. 4-speed​	3.92​	1640​	5015​	13,500​	8350​
6650​	​	5.9L V-8 w/20" Tires​	Auto. 4-speed​	3.92​	1580​	5075​	12,500​	7300​
6650​	8​	4.7L V-8​	Manual 5-speed​	3.55​	1550​	5102​	9500​	4250​
6650​	​	4.7L V-8​	Manual 5-speed​	3.92​	1550​	5102​	10,500​	5250​
6650​	​	4.7L V-8 w/20" Tires​	Manual 5-speed​	3.90​	1550​	5102​	9500​	4250​
6650​	​	4.7L V-8​	Auto. 4-speed​	3.55​	1490​	5161​	11,500​	6200​
6650​	​	4.7L V-8​	Auto. 4-speed​	3.92​	1490​	5161​	12,500​	7200​
6650​	​	5.9L V-8​	Auto. 4-speed​	3.55​	1400​	5253​	12,500​	7100​
6650​	​	5.9L V-8​	Auto. 4-speed​	3.92​	1400​	5253​	13,500​	8100​

a) GCWR is the (Gross Combination Weight Rating) is the maximum allowable total weight of a fully equipped truck and trailer with cargo, driver and passengers, fuel, coolant, equipment, etc.
(b) GTWR (Gross Trailer Weight Rating) is the maximum allowable weight of the trailer and its cargo, GTWR = GCWR minus curb weight of truck minus 150 pounds (allowance for driver) and must be further decreased by the weight of optional equipment, trailer hitch, cargo, and passengers. Maximum trailer weights shown are rounded to the nearest 50 pounds. Recommended tongue weight is 10 to 15 percent of loaded trailer weight, but must not exceed 500 pounds using a bumper-mounted hitch ball (Class III trailers) or 1000 pounds using a weight-distributing receiver hitch (Class IV trailers). This requirement overrides GTWRs shown. Additionally, tongue weight should never cause vehicle to exceed GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating). A weightdistributing hitch is recommended for trailers more than 2000 pounds. Use synthetic axle lubricant with the Trailer Tow Group.


Assuming the chart is correct, the max trailer weight is 6400 lbs or 7400 lbs.

 

[HemiLonestar]

But according to the chart listed, in 2003 the automatic was a 4 speed, not a 5 speed.

Then it is wrong. In 2002 the 4.7 used the 45RFE, which was a 4sp but by 2003 all RFE's were using the 545 (5sp) programming. Same physical trans just an extra overdrive gear. Something else I don't see on that chart is the difference between 2wd and 4wd, they're rated differently.

 

[Doug D]

Then it is wrong. In 2002 the 4.7 used the 45RFE, which was a 4sp but by 2003 all RFE's were using the 545 (5sp) programming. Same physical trans just an extra overdrive gear. Something else I don't see on that chart is the difference between 2wd and 4wd, they're rated differently.

That's what I thought, but I couldn't remember what year they upgraded to the 545RFE (it's what is in my '06 Ram 1500). In my previous post I posted the grid for Quad Cab 2WD. The 4WD Quad Cab tow ratings are slightly lower.

 

[DravenBlack]

2wd or 4wd?

I have a 4.7 Magnum V8 with 240hp and it is RWD/2WD

 

[Always dirty]

Doug D’s chart is pretty textbook. You should be able to tow a loaded car trailer (7k open) with no issues, assuming your transmission and brakes have been maintained. You wanna find the weak link in your drivetrain you’re on the right track. What are you expecting to tow?

 

[Always dirty]

FWIW, i think the tow rating for my Getrag is something like 3500 lbs...

 

[Chuck962500]

Doug D’s chart is pretty textbook. You should be able to tow a loaded car trailer (7k open) with no issues, assuming your transmission and brakes have been maintained. You wanna find the weak link in your drivetrain you’re on the right track. What are you expecting to tow?

I tow everything and as long as i push the overdrive off button i have no issues.would like a bigger tranny cooler and trailer brake in near future.but my gvwr is 8800lbs but weighted in at 14k at the dumps no issue no high temp .solid axles make the difference.?

 

[44MagLeo]

The owners manual that came with your truck has that info i there.
You need to know not only what the engine and tranny are, you also need to know the rear axle rear ratio.
The higher ratios like the 3.92 cam pull more weight than the 3.55.
Your pwners manual also tells you what gear positions you should run in for the load or road conditions.
With a light load O/D on is ok. As the load gets heavier you should run O/D off. Even with light loads in hilly terrain you should drive O/D off.
Any time the tranny temp light comes on you should ru n O/D off.
If you don't have the owners manual you should get one.
Leo