Can a 2026 Ram 1500 tow a Key West 189 FS?
Yes
We estimate a loaded Key West 189 FS on its trailer at about 3,480 lb. 9 of 9 1500 engine/package options pass with a 20% margin (for example the 3.6L Pentastar eTorque V6, 3.21 axle).
Check your exact setup (add your door-sticker payload and real trailer weight)
Key West 189 FS loaded towing weight
| Weight (Key West) | 1,650 lb |
| Engine: Yamaha F150 (heaviest listed variant), the heaviest Yamaha that covers the boat's 150 HP max | 566 lb |
| Fuel: 35 gal x 6.1 lb/gal (full tank) | 214 lb |
| Gear allowance: 10% (batteries, anchor, coolers, safety gear, T-top/options) | 243 lb |
| Trailer: ESTIMATE, 35% of boat + engine (no trailer weight published) | 800 lb |
| Estimated loaded trailer weight | 3,480 lb |
2026 Ram 1500 towing ratings vs this boat
| Engine / package | Published rating (lb) | Tow | Payload | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L Pentastar eTorque V6, 3.21 axle | 6,340–6,570 | PASS | PASS | PASS |
| 3.6L Pentastar eTorque V6, 3.55 axle | 7,340–8,130 | PASS | PASS | PASS |
| 3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.21 axle | 8,320–8,510 | PASS | PASS | PASS |
| 3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.55 axle | 8,100–8,270 | PASS | PASS | PASS |
| 3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.92 axle | 11,200–11,610 | PASS | PASS | PASS |
| 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.21 axle | 8,220 | PASS | PASS | PASS |
| 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.55 axle | 7,640 | PASS | PASS | PASS |
| 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.92 axle | 9,590–11,320 | PASS | PASS | PASS |
| 3.0L Hurricane H.O. (RHO / Limited) | 8,360–10,000 | PASS | PASS | PASS |
"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 348–522 lb. That comes out of your truck's payload along with everyone in the cab, so with two adults (300 lb) you need roughly 648–822 lb of payload before any cargo in the bed.
3.6L Pentastar eTorque V6, 3.21 axle PASS
PASS 3,480 lb is 55% of the lowest published rating (6,340 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 648-822 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,770 lb.
PASS Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
Ram's sheet lists Tradesman figures; payload range is for the 3.6L across cabs/beds.
3.6L Pentastar eTorque V6, 3.55 axle PASS
PASS 3,480 lb is 47% of the lowest published rating (7,340 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 648-822 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,770 lb.
PASS Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
Ram's sheet lists Tradesman figures.
3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.21 axle PASS
PASS 3,480 lb is 42% of the lowest published rating (8,320 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 648-822 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,730 lb.
PASS Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
Tradesman figures.
3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.55 axle PASS
PASS 3,480 lb is 43% of the lowest published rating (8,100 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 648-822 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,730 lb.
PASS Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
Tradesman figures.
3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.92 axle PASS
PASS 3,480 lb is 31% of the lowest published rating (11,200 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 648-822 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,730 lb.
PASS Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
Tradesman figures.
5.7L HEMI V8, 3.21 axle PASS
PASS 3,480 lb is 42% of the lowest published rating (8,220 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 648-822 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,630 lb.
PASS Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
5.7L HEMI V8, 3.55 axle PASS
PASS 3,480 lb is 46% of the lowest published rating (7,640 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 648-822 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,630 lb.
PASS Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
5.7L HEMI V8, 3.92 axle PASS
PASS 3,480 lb is 36% of the lowest published rating (9,590 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 648-822 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,630 lb.
PASS Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
3.0L Hurricane H.O. (RHO / Limited) PASS
PASS 3,480 lb is 42% of the lowest published rating (8,360 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 648-822 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,390 lb.
PASS Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
RHO 8,360 lb; Limited 9,240-10,000 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
- 2026 Ram 1500: Ram 2026 Ram 1500 Payload & Towing Weight Capacities sheet (SAE J2807), checked 2026-10-29
- Key West 189 FS: Key West model page (Weight, fuel capacity, max HP), checked 2026-10-29
- Engine weight: Yamaha Outboards spec page (Yamaha F150 (heaviest listed variant), 566 lb)
- Method and assumptions: How we calculate
Related checks
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