I'm considering buying a used '02 Ram. It's a 1500 SLT 4.7 Liter 4x4 Regular Cab Short Bed. I was wondering what the approximate towing capacity is? The first online source I found said it could tow up to 7850lbs which I believe to be way high, and the second said 8050 which is think is even higher! Thanks!

 

well, an 2006 RAM 1500 SLT REGULAR CAB 4X4 SWB 5 speed auto can tow 6350 lbs. (according to dodge.com's truck builder) so that does seem a little on the high side.

 

It all depends on the rear end gears. My 05 2wd quad cab with 4.7, 3.92s is rated for 7450.
I have towed a cargo trailer in the 6000 to 7000 lb range. It did well except for the fact that I cant manually shift into 3rd gear. In hilly areas it becomes necesary. But your 02 wont have that problem, I think it was 03 or 04 when they added the fifth gear to the auto.

 

Hi I put a post on the board a couple weeks ago about this topic. I got some good answers but I wanted to just make sure so I went to my Dealership and they told me that my truck was rated for 7100 pounds. I have an 02 1500 Ram Quad cab 4x4 with the 4.7.

hope this helps

 

Thanks for the help guys! Marauder74, does your truck have the 3.55 or 3.92 gears? I know that makes a pretty significant difference.

 

It doesnt matter what gears you have because the FIRST mod you should do is 4.56 gears... Then you will NEVER have to wonder how much you can tow... because you can tow it all and get better fuel economey than both the 3.55' and 3.92' rear gear ratios they offer. It kinda makes you wonder why they dont offer the 4.56 gears!

SPEED SAFE, AIR RAM

 

4.56s dont give you better economy they cause your engine to spin faster (more RPM) to achieve the same MPH as a 3.92 or 3.55, which would cause lower gas mileage. Cough Idiot Cough

 

i have read quite a few times of increased mileage with 4.56....when talking of the 4.7. I would guess around town you would see and increase but not on the highway. I have the 4.7 and the gearing is way too high and it lugs around town. I get about 11.5 city but on the highway im getting 22.5. According to my computer anyway. I could see how it might improve by better using the motors power to get the thing going.