Ram 1500 Towing vs Chevy Silverado 1500: Which One Gets Your Boat To Watch Hill Without Drama

Max tow ratings

• Ram 1500: Up to 11,550 pounds of towing and up to 2,370 pounds of payload when properly equipped. Source
• Silverado 1500: Up to 13,300 pounds of towing when built with the 3.0L Duramax turbo diesel, 2WD, and the right trailering package. Source

Silverado wins the raw number. That is real. For a heavy offshore boat plus gear, that headroom matters. Ram is still strong enough for most center consoles and dual jet ski trailers.

Engine character

Ram 1500 dropped the old V8 and brought in a twin turbo 3.0L Hurricane inline six. Ram says it is their most powerful 6 cylinder yet, with up to 540 horsepower in high output form. Source

Chevy leans on the Duramax 3.0L diesel for its best tow rating. Diesel torque at low rpm helps steady a load when you pull up and out of a steep ramp.

Ride and stress level

The Ram 1500 is known for a calm ride and a high end cabin. Available air suspension and a 14.5 inch touchscreen help it feel like a highway cruiser not a work truck. Source The Silverado can be set up as a straight work rig or as an upscale daily. Both can do Route 78 or I-95 without beating you up.

Which truck should tow your boat

• Pick Ram 1500 if you want luxury ride and you tow in the 5,000 to 8,000 pound range. Your back and your passengers will thank you.
• Pick Silverado 1500 if you are pushing serious weight every weekend and want that 13,300 pound ceiling.

Either way, both can get the hull from Westerly Marina to the ramp without sketchy sway. Your call is comfort vs total margin.