Can a 2026 Ram 1500 tow a Yamaha 252S?
It depends on the engine
We estimate a loaded Yamaha 252S on its trailer at about 6,260 lb. 6 of 9 1500 engine/package options pass with a 20% margin (for example the 3.0L Hurricane (SO), 3.21 axle). 3 are borderline (caution).
Check your exact setup (add your door-sticker payload and real trailer weight)
Yamaha 252S loaded towing weight
| Dry weight (Yamaha) | 4,136 lb |
| Engine(s): included in the maker's weight (jet drive) | 0 lb |
| Fuel: 75 gal x 6.1 lb/gal (full tank) | 458 lb |
| Gear allowance: 10% (batteries, anchor, coolers, safety gear, T-top/options) | 459 lb |
| Trailer: published by Yamaha (dry weight on trailer minus boat) | 1,203 lb |
| Estimated loaded trailer weight | 6,260 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 | CAUTION | PASS | CAUTION |
| 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 | 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 | CAUTION | PASS | CAUTION |
| 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 626–939 lb. That comes out of your truck's payload along with everyone in the cab, so with two adults (300 lb) you need roughly 926–1,239 lb of payload before any cargo in the bed.
3.6L Pentastar eTorque V6, 3.21 axle CAUTION
CAUTION 6,260 lb is within the 6,340 lb rating but uses 99% of it, which leaves less than our 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 926-1,239 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 CAUTION
CAUTION 6,260 lb is within the 7,340 lb rating but uses 85% of it, which leaves less than our 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 926-1,239 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 6,260 lb is 75% of the lowest published rating (8,320 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 926-1,239 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 6,260 lb is 77% of the lowest published rating (8,100 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 926-1,239 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 6,260 lb is 56% of the lowest published rating (11,200 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 926-1,239 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 6,260 lb is 76% of the lowest published rating (8,220 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 926-1,239 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 CAUTION
CAUTION 6,260 lb is within the 7,640 lb rating but uses 82% of it, which leaves less than our 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 926-1,239 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 6,260 lb is 65% of the lowest published rating (9,590 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 926-1,239 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 6,260 lb is 75% of the lowest published rating (8,360 lb), inside a 20% safety margin.
PASS Needs about 926-1,239 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
- Yamaha 252S: Yamaha model page (Dry weight, fuel capacity, dry weight on trailer), checked 2026-10-29
- Method and assumptions: How we calculate
Related checks
Other boats with a 2026 Ram 1500
- Grady-White Fisherman 216 (~6,280 lb)
- Tidewater 2410 BM (~6,310 lb)
- Carolina Skiff 24 Ultra Elite (~6,180 lb)
- Yamaha AR250 (~6,130 lb)
- Grady-White Freedom 215 (~6,000 lb)
- Tidewater 2300 CB (~5,970 lb)