Can a 2026 Ram 1500 tow a Malibu Wakesetter 21 LX?
It depends on the engine
We estimate a loaded Malibu Wakesetter 21 LX on its trailer at about 7,620 lb. 8 are borderline (caution). 1 is not rated for it.
Check your exact setup (add your door-sticker payload and real trailer weight)
Malibu Wakesetter 21 LX loaded towing weight
| Approx. dry weight (Malibu) | 5,000 lb |
| Engine(s): included in the maker's weight (inboard) | 0 lb |
| Fuel: 55 gal x 6.1 lb/gal (full tank) | 336 lb |
| Gear allowance: 10% (batteries, anchor, coolers, safety gear, T-top/options) | 534 lb |
| Trailer: ESTIMATE, 35% of boat + engine (no trailer weight published) | 1,750 lb |
| Estimated loaded trailer weight | 7,620 lb |
Drain ballast before towing.
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 | FAIL | PASS | FAIL |
| 3.6L Pentastar eTorque V6, 3.55 axle | 7,340–8,130 | CAUTION | PASS | CAUTION |
| 3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.21 axle | 8,320–8,510 | CAUTION | PASS | CAUTION |
| 3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.55 axle | 8,100–8,270 | CAUTION | PASS | CAUTION |
| 3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.92 axle | 11,200–11,610 | PASS | PASS | CAUTION |
| 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.21 axle | 8,220 | CAUTION | PASS | CAUTION |
| 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.55 axle | 7,640 | CAUTION | PASS | CAUTION |
| 5.7L HEMI V8, 3.92 axle | 9,590–11,320 | PASS | PASS | CAUTION |
| 3.0L Hurricane H.O. (RHO / Limited) | 8,360–10,000 | 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 762–1,143 lb. That comes out of your truck's payload along with everyone in the cab, so with two adults (300 lb) you need roughly 1,062–1,443 lb of payload before any cargo in the bed.
3.6L Pentastar eTorque V6, 3.21 axle FAIL
FAIL 7,620 lb is over every published rating for this engine/package (max 6,570 lb).
PASS Needs about 1,062-1,443 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,770 lb.
CAUTION 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 CAUTION
CAUTION 7,620 lb is over the lowest rating for this engine (7,340 lb). Only some cab/bed/drive/axle versions are rated up to 8,130 lb, so check your exact truck.
PASS Needs about 1,062-1,443 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,770 lb.
CAUTION Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
Ram's sheet lists Tradesman figures.
3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.21 axle CAUTION
CAUTION 7,620 lb is within the 8,320 lb rating but uses 92% of it, which leaves less than our 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 1,062-1,443 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,730 lb.
CAUTION Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
Tradesman figures.
3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.55 axle CAUTION
CAUTION 7,620 lb is within the 8,100 lb rating but uses 94% of it, which leaves less than our 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 1,062-1,443 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,730 lb.
CAUTION Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
Tradesman figures.
3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.92 axle CAUTION
PASS 7,620 lb is 68% of the lowest published rating (11,200 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 1,062-1,443 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,730 lb.
CAUTION Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
Tradesman figures.
5.7L HEMI V8, 3.21 axle CAUTION
CAUTION 7,620 lb is within the 8,220 lb rating but uses 93% of it, which leaves less than our 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 1,062-1,443 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,630 lb.
CAUTION Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
5.7L HEMI V8, 3.55 axle CAUTION
CAUTION 7,620 lb is within the 7,640 lb rating but uses 100% of it, which leaves less than our 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 1,062-1,443 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,630 lb.
CAUTION Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
5.7L HEMI V8, 3.92 axle CAUTION
PASS 7,620 lb is 79% of the lowest published rating (9,590 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 1,062-1,443 lb of payload; the lowest published payload for this engine is 1,630 lb.
CAUTION Max tongue weight for this truck/hitch is 1,100 lb.
3.0L Hurricane H.O. (RHO / Limited) CAUTION
CAUTION 7,620 lb is within the 8,360 lb rating but uses 91% of it, which leaves less than our 20% safety margin.
CAUTION At 15% tongue weight you'd need 1,443 lb of payload vs 1,390 lb.
CAUTION 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
- Malibu Wakesetter 21 LX: Malibu model page (Approx. dry weight, fuel capacity), checked 2026-10-29
- Method and assumptions: How we calculate
Related checks
Other boats with a 2026 Ram 1500
- Grady-White Fisherman 236 (~7,640 lb)
- Tidewater 232 CC (~7,770 lb)
- Sportsman Open 232 (~7,380 lb)
- Sportsman Heritage 231 (~7,380 lb)
- Grady-White 251 CE (~7,350 lb)
- MasterCraft NXT22 (~7,270 lb)