I am looking to buy a 2012 Ram 1500. I noticed the towing capacity choices are 6,000 lbs, 8,650 lbs or 10,000 lbs. If I'm planning to tow a 4,000 lbs ski boat, how will a truck with 8,650 lbs towing capacity perform?

What determines the towing capacity?

 

The gear ratio is mostly what determines the capacity.

I've got the 3.21s with the 6000lb capacity and regularly tow 5K - tows it like it is not there. I think 3.21 is 2wd only

3.55 is the most common ratio and would be the 8650 capacity

 

Tow capacity is determined by gear ratios, suspension capacity, horsepower/torque, tire wheel set-ups, brakes, hitch type/rating as well as how heavy your truck is with accessories. A crew cab short bed might not have the tow capacity of a reg cab long bed. As for how well it will handle the 4000 lbs the farther you stay from max the better it will handle it. That being said the 6000 lb should be enough but if you have a choice on gears I would lean towards the next lower ratio than recommended. I have the 3.55s and would love some 3.92s.

 

I test drove identical 3.55 and 3.92 models. I really could not tell a difference driving around. But many feel 3.92 is superior in town with lots of starts and stops. So I decided on it. Just my experience.

I will let the experts with towing handle the rest.

 

Get the 3.92's. Your truck will tow better, accelerate better and any difference in mileage won't mean much as compared to a typical car.
Swapping out 3.55's to 3.92's is expensive compared to just ordering them.

 

jkgraham,

Many of the vehicle specs determine the towing capacity and how the vehicle will perform, as mentioned above. For more information I've provided a link below to a website that may be helpful to you.

www.dodge.com/bodybuilder

I hope this helps.