2010-2018 Ram 6.7L Cummins Towing Parts

Towing on the 2010-2018 RAM 6.7L Cummins

The fourth-generation Ram HD with the 6.7L Cummins is really two towing trucks. The 2010-2012 trucks ride on the original frame with a lower-rated receiver, and their beds have no factory fifth-wheel or gooseneck provisions. For 2013 Ram put the HD on a new frame with hydroformed main rails and fully boxed rear rails, and added an upgraded Class V receiver, an integrated trailer brake controller, a tailgate-mounted HD camera and available fifth-wheel/gooseneck prep built into the frame. The 2013 3500 was rated at 30,000 lb of fifth-wheel towing, and by 2016 its maximum reached 31,210 lb with up to 7,390 lb of payload on a dual-rear-wheel truck. Those top numbers belong to dual-rear-wheel 3500s with the High Output engine and the Aisin six-speed. The 2500 is its own truck: from 2014 it rides on a five-link coil rear with optional air suspension, and its payload runs 1,360 to 3,170 lb in 2014 and 1,466 to 3,497 lb in 2018, depending on configuration.

What to watch for when you tow

Most towing trouble on this truck isn't in the hitch. The issues worth knowing about are in the truck itself, and several were recalls.

• Tailgate: on 2013-2018 Ram 2500/3500s the power-locking tailgate actuator has limiter tabs that can fracture and let the tailgate drop open while driving (recall 19V-347). A separate recall, 18V-486, covered 2015-2017 trucks.
• Cruise control: on 2014-2018 trucks cruise could fail to disengage after you cancel it. Recall 18V-332 fixed it with a software flash, and it matters on a long grade with a trailer behind you.
• Trailer brakes: owners report the integrated trailer brake controller sending too little power to the trailer brakes on 2015 3500s. These are owner complaints, not a recall, but if your trailer braking feels weak, check the controller output and the connection at the socket.

Run your VIN for open recalls before a long trip.

Stock vs. upgrade

If you pull a bumper-pull trailer off the factory receiver, an adjustable ball mount sized to your receiver and trailer height may be all you need. Heavier campers and long trailers call for a weight distribution hitch. For fifth wheels and goosenecks, 2013-2018 trucks with the factory prep take hitches that mount to the in-bed puck locations, while 2010-2012 beds need an underbed rail or gooseneck kit first. Air springs level a loaded truck; they don't raise the payload or towing rating. Air Lift's LoadLifter 5000 gives up to 5,000 lb of load-leveling on leaf-spring trucks, which covers the 2010-2013 2500 and every 3500 in this generation. Coil-rear 2014+ 2500s need a coil-specific kit, and trucks with factory rear air suspension don't need bags. On long downgrades with a heavy trailer, use the exhaust brake built into the factory variable-geometry turbo.

What we carry

• B&W Trailer Hitches: Tow & Stow adjustable ball mounts in 2, 2.5 and 3 inch shanks (Standard, MultiPro/MultiFlex and pintle versions), heavy-duty and triple-tow ball mounts, the WDHK4500 weight distribution hitch, Turnoverball gooseneck hitches, the RVK3670 Companion fifth wheel for the Ram OEM prep, hitch balls and reducer sleeves.
• Big Hitch Products: 2 and 2.5 inch hidden receivers behind the roll pan, a 2.5 inch below-roll-pan receiver, a 2.5 inch stock-bumper receiver, 2 and 2.5 inch adjustable pulling hitches, and a 7 & 4 pole trailer connector socket with mounting bracket.
• Air Lift: WirelessONE and WirelessAIR compressor and control systems, tank kits, a replacement on-board compressor, a heavy-duty dual load controller, 2 and 4 inch air spring spacers and the LoadLifter 5000 Ultimate Plus stainless steel upgrade.
• Lucas Oil: 10030 5th Wheel & Slider Lube.

Shopping for another truck? Our hitches page covers other diesel platforms.

Fitment notes

Sort your truck by three things. Model year: 2010-2012 versus 2013-2018 changes the receiver class and whether the bed can have factory prep. Bed: 6 ft 4 in or 8 ft sets fifth-wheel and gooseneck placement, and short-bed Crew Cab and Mega Cab trucks need a slider-type fifth wheel for turning clearance. Rear suspension: leaf, coil (2014+ 2500) or factory air decides which air spring parts fit. The factory fifth-wheel/gooseneck prep was an available option, not standard, so look in the bed for the puck locations before you order a puck-mount hitch. Chassis cabs use different frames and are a separate fitment question. The fitment checker on each product page, or a call with your VIN, settles the rest.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a 2010-2018 Ram 3500 with the 6.7L Cummins tow?

It depends on the year and how the truck is built. The 2013 3500 was rated at 30,000 lb of fifth-wheel towing and the 2016 reached a 31,210 lb maximum, but those ratings apply to dual-rear-wheel High Output trucks pulling a fifth wheel or gooseneck. Use the ratings in the owner's manual for your exact truck.

Does my Ram have factory gooseneck prep?

Only 2013-2018 trucks could have it, and it was an available option rather than standard. Look in the bed for the puck locations. A 2010-2012 truck, or a later one without the option, needs an underbed rail or gooseneck kit before a puck-style hitch will mount.

Will air bags let me carry more weight?

No. Air springs level the truck under load; they don't change the payload or towing ratings Ram set. The LoadLifter 5000 provides up to 5,000 lb of load-leveling on leaf-spring trucks, coil-rear 2014+ 2500s need a different kit, and factory rear air trucks are excluded.

Which recalls should I check before towing?

Three are worth a look. Recall 18V-332 covers cruise control that may not disengage on 2014-2018 2500/3500s, and recalls 19V-347 and 18V-486 cover the power-locking tailgate opening while driving. Your VIN tells you whether the work was done.

Which ball mount fits my receiver?

Match the shank to your receiver opening first: 2, 2.5 or 3 inch. Then measure from the ground to the top of the receiver opening, subtract the height from the ground to the bottom of the trailer coupler with the trailer level, and pick the Tow & Stow closest to that drop. On a 2010-2012 truck, confirm the receiver class before you load it up.

Not sure what fits? Call the shop at the number in the header, or use the fitment checker on any product page. We install everything we sell.