06/04/2026
The New Cummins Tows LESS? 2025 Ram 3500 Surprises Me
The new 2025 Ram 3500 brings some major changes to the Cummins-powered trucks. We've got a heavily revised 6.7L Cummins diesel, the long-awaited ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, and less aggressive 3.42 axle gears. On paper, it sounds like a recipe for better performance, better drivability, and improved efficiency.
But here's the interesting part: despite all of those upgrades, the maximum towing capacity of the 2025 Ram 3500 is actually about 500 pounds lower than the previous-generation high-output Cummins trucks.
Now, let's be clear—these trucks can still tow well north of 35,000 pounds, which is an incredible amount of weight and more than enough for the vast majority of owners. But it's still surprising to see a brand-new truck with a redesigned powertrain lose towing capacity instead of gaining it.
I'm not saying the new truck is worse. In fact, the ZF 8-speed and updated Cummins should make for a fantastic towing experience. I just found it interesting that all of these engineering updates didn't translate into a higher max tow rating.
What do you think? Would you trade a little maximum towing capacity for a more modern transmission and improved overall driving experience?