Can a 2025 Ram 1500 tow a Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV?
It depends on the engine
We estimate a loaded Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV on its trailer at about 8,710 lb. 2 are borderline (caution). 4 are not rated for it.
Check your exact setup (add your door-sticker payload and real trailer weight)
Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV loaded towing weight
| Approx. dry weight (Malibu) | 5,700 lb |
| Engine(s): included in the maker's weight (inboard) | 0 lb |
| Fuel: 65 gal x 6.1 lb/gal (full tank) | 396 lb |
| Gear allowance: 10% (batteries, anchor, coolers, safety gear, T-top/options) | 610 lb |
| Trailer: ESTIMATE, 35% of boat + engine (no trailer weight published) | 2,000 lb |
| Estimated loaded trailer weight | 8,710 lb |
Drain ballast before towing.
2025 Ram 1500 towing ratings vs this boat
| Engine / package | Published rating (lb) | Tow | Payload | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L Pentastar eTorque V6, 3.21 axle | 6,370–6,720 | FAIL | CAUTION | FAIL |
| 3.6L Pentastar eTorque V6, 3.55 axle | 7,370–8,480 | FAIL | CAUTION | FAIL |
| 3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.21 axle | 8,380–8,470 | FAIL | PASS | FAIL |
| 3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.55 axle | 8,160–8,350 | FAIL | PASS | FAIL |
| 3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.92 axle | 11,260–11,550 | PASS | PASS | CAUTION |
| 3.0L Hurricane H.O. (RHO / Limited) | 8,380–9,920 | CAUTION | CAUTION | CAUTION |
"Published rating" is the lowest–highest conventional (ball-hitch) rating Ram prints for that engine/package across cab, bed, drive and axle choices. PASS means the loaded trailer is at or under 80% of the lowest rating. Ram: ratings include 300 lb of passengers; trailer weight and payload ratings are mutually exclusive; weight distribution recommended over 5,000 lb; Class IV receiver tongue limit 1,100 lb.
Tongue weight vs payload
Tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer: about 871–1,306 lb. That comes out of your truck's payload along with everyone in the cab, so with two adults (300 lb) you need roughly 1,171–1,606 lb of payload before any cargo in the bed.
3.6L Pentastar eTorque V6, 3.21 axle FAIL
FAIL 8,710 lb is over every published rating for this engine/package (max 6,720 lb).
CAUTION At 15% tongue weight you'd need 1,606 lb of payload vs 1,190 lb.
CAUTION Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
Lowest payload (1,190 lb) is the HFE model.
3.6L Pentastar eTorque V6, 3.55 axle FAIL
FAIL 8,710 lb is over every published rating for this engine/package (max 8,480 lb).
CAUTION At 15% tongue weight you'd need 1,606 lb of payload vs 1,190 lb.
CAUTION Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
Lowest payload (1,190 lb) is the HFE model.
3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.21 axle FAIL
FAIL 8,710 lb is over every published rating for this engine/package (max 8,470 lb).
PASS Needs about 1,171-1,606 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,790 lb.
CAUTION Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.55 axle FAIL
FAIL 8,710 lb is over every published rating for this engine/package (max 8,350 lb).
PASS Needs about 1,171-1,606 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,790 lb.
CAUTION Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.92 axle CAUTION
PASS 8,710 lb is 77% of the lowest published rating (11,260 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 1,171-1,606 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,790 lb.
CAUTION Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
3.0L Hurricane H.O. (RHO / Limited) CAUTION
CAUTION 8,710 lb is over the lowest rating for this engine (8,380 lb). Only some cab/bed/drive/axle versions are rated up to 9,920 lb, so check your exact truck.
CAUTION At 15% tongue weight you'd need 1,606 lb of payload vs 1,340 lb.
CAUTION Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
RHO 8,380 lb; Limited 9,340-9,920 lb.
Confirm with your door-jamb sticker and owner's manual. Your exact truck's rating depends on cab, bed, drive, axle ratio, options and tires, and your boat's real weight depends on its engine, options, fuel and gear. When in doubt, weigh the rig at a CAT scale.
Gear you may need
Placeholder links (not affiliate links yet). Disclosure.
Trailer brake controller
Boat trailers over about 3,000 lb usually need working trailer brakes (check your state's law); an electric-over-hydraulic or electric setup needs a controller in the truck.
Class IV receiver hitch & ball mount
Match the ball mount drop to your trailer so the boat rides level; the hitch rating must cover the full loaded trailer.
Tongue weight scale
The only way to know your real tongue weight (10-15% of the loaded trailer) before it eats your payload.
Sources
- 2025 Ram 1500: Ram 2025 Ram 1500 Payload & Towing Weight Capacities sheet (SAE J2807), checked 2026-10-29
- Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV: Malibu model page (Approx. dry weight, fuel capacity), checked 2026-10-29
- Method and assumptions: How we calculate
Related checks
Other boats with a 2025 Ram 1500
- MasterCraft XT22 (~8,520 lb)
- Grady-White Freedom 235 (~8,060 lb)
- Tidewater 232 CC (~7,770 lb)
- Grady-White Fisherman 236 (~7,640 lb)
- Malibu Wakesetter 21 LX (~7,620 lb)
- Sportsman Open 232 (~7,380 lb)