Cummins or HEMI? How to Pick the Right 2026 Ram HD Engine for What You Tow in BC

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Prince George sits at the junction of two major highway corridors and within reach of some of the most demanding terrain in British Columbia. If you are hauling equipment to a job site north of town, pulling a sled trailer up the Yellowhead, or moving a fifth-wheel camper through the Cariboo, the truck you choose needs to be rated for it -- and then some.

The 2026 Ram 2500 and 3500 Heavy Duty offer two engine options with distinctly different towing ceilings. Picking the right one comes down to understanding what you pull, how often, and how heavy it gets.

Engine Options and Maximum Towing

The 2026 Ram HD is available with two powertrains. Both pair with the ZF TorqueFlite HD 8-speed automatic transmission with an electronic column shifter.

Engine

Output

Max Towing

6.7-litre Cummins HO Turbo Diesel I-6

430 hp / 1,075 lb-ft

16,606 kg (36,610 lbs)

6.4-litre HEMI V-8

405 hp / 429 lb-ft

6,772 kg (14,930 lbs)

The Cummins diesel produces its 1,075 lb-ft of torque at just 1,800 rpm -- low in the power band, which means you feel it from the moment you start moving under load. The TorqueFlite HD transmission runs a 3.42 rear axle ratio with the diesel, a more fuel-efficient setup that delivers the full towing capacity without requiring a numerically higher axle ratio.

The HEMI V-8 covers the wide range of recreational and light-commercial towing applications. It is the standard engine across the Ram HD lineup and handles the majority of what most BC drivers pull on a regular basis.

Ram 2500 vs. Ram 3500 -- The Right Platform for the Load

Both the 2500 and 3500 share the same engine options, but the 3500's heavier rear axle and available dual rear wheel configuration unlocks higher payload and gooseneck ratings:

  • Ram 3500 gooseneck/fifth-wheel max towing: 16,606 kg (36,610 lbs)
  • Ram 3500 conventional hitch max towing: 10,433 kg (23,000 lbs)
  • Ram 2500 diesel max towing: 16,606 kg (36,610 lbs)
  • Ram HD max payload (gas engine): 3,443 kg (7,590 lbs)

For drivers in the Prince George area running commercial loads, large gooseneck horse trailers, or heavy equipment flatbeds on Highway 16 or Highway 97, the Ram 3500 diesel gives you the most capacity and the most margin.

Real-World Towing Applications in Northern BC

To put the Ram HD's numbers in context for how drivers in this region actually use their trucks:

  • Snowmobile trailer (2--4 sleds): 900--2,200 kg -- HEMI or diesel
  • Loaded horse trailer: 4,500--7,000 kg -- upper HEMI range, Cummins recommended
  • Side-by-side or ATV trailer: 1,500--2,500 kg -- HEMI handles comfortably
  • Flatbed with skid steer or mini excavator: 6,000--10,000 kg -- Cummins with Ram 2500 or 3500
  • Heavy equipment or logging trailer: up to 16,606 kg (36,610 lbs) -- Ram 3500 diesel at maximum rating
  • Large fifth-wheel camper: 5,000--9,000 kg -- Cummins territory

These are general reference ranges. Always verify your trailer's actual loaded weight before selecting a hitch and engine configuration. Towing capacity varies by cab style, box length, axle ratio, and hitch type.

Towing Technology on the 2026 Ram HD

Getting the load to its destination safely is where the Ram HD's towing technology earns its place. The 2026 lineup carries available systems designed for drivers who tow in challenging conditions:

  • Trailer Reverse Steering Control -- set your trailer direction with a dial; the truck manages steering inputs automatically while you back up
  • 360-degree surround-view camera with trailer reverse guidance -- shows both sides of the trailer on one screen to assist tight manoeuvres
  • Trailer-Tow Pages -- one hub in Uconnect 5 for trailer light check, tire pressure monitoring, trailer brake status, and camera shortcuts
  • Digital rearview mirror with tow mode -- streams a live unobstructed rear camera view, critical when a trailer blocks the standard mirror
  • Power telescoping trailer tow mirrors -- extend outward for sightlines around wide loads
  • Available auxiliary exterior camera -- mounts on or behind the trailer for additional visibility on long pulls

The Uconnect 5 system runs on an architecture five times faster than the previous generation, with a standard 12-inch or available 14.5-inch touchscreen and available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster showing towing and driver-assist information.

Trim Lineup

The 2026 Ram HD runs from Tradesman through Big Horn, Laramie, Rebel, Power Wagon, Limited Longhorn, and Limited. Standard adaptive cruise control and Forward Collision Warning-Plus are included from Big Horn trim onward -- useful features when pulling a heavy load on a long highway stretch through the Interior.

For operators in Prince George and the surrounding region who work their trucks hard, the Big Horn and Laramie represent the core of the lineup: full towing capability, the important safety technology, and the comfort to handle long days behind the wheel.

Find Your Ram HD at Northland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Every towing situation in northern BC is different -- the load, the road, the season, and the frequency all factor in. Drop by Northland Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Prince George and talk through your specific hauling needs with our team. We can walk you through the engine, axle, and trim combination that fits your work.

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