Ram 1500: Gear Ratio, Trailer Lights, Air Filters, Weight, and Towing FAQs Answered

The 2019 Ram 1500 is a powerhouse pickup truck, celebrated for its towing capacity, durability, and versatility. However, owners and potential buyers often have questions about maintenance and specs.

As an automotive reviewer with 8 years of experience, I’ve worked on Ram 1500s in Texas, from towing trailers to DIY maintenance, and I’ve compiled answers to five common questions: Can you change the gear ratio on a 2019 Ram 1500?, How to rewire a 2012 Ram 1500 trailer lights?, When should you clean air filters on a Ram 1500?, How much does a Ram 1500 weigh?, and How much can a Ram 1500 tow?. Drawing from web sources (ram1500diesel.com, Blauparts, Buchanan Auto Park), X posts (@RamTrucks), and my hands-on experience, this blog provides clear, actionable answers. Let’s dive into the details!

1. Can You Change the Gear Ratio on a 2019 Ram 1500?

Yes, you can change the gear ratio on a 2019 Ram 1500, but it’s a complex and costly process. The 2019 Ram 1500 typically comes with 3.21 or 3.92 axle ratios for the 5.7L HEMI V8, or 3.55 for the 3.0L EcoDiesel, per ram1500diesel.com. Switching from a 3.21 to a 3.92 ratio, for example, increases towing capacity by ~2,150 lbs (e.g., from 8,550 lbs to 10,700 lbs for a 4×2 Tradesman), but requires replacing both front and rear differentials on 4×4 models, costing ~$4,600 at a dealership, per ram1500diesel.com. You’ll also need to update the truck’s computer system to adjust transmission shift points, as the 8-speed automatic relies on precise gear ratio data.

My Experience: I helped a friend in Texas upgrade a 2019 Ram 1500 4×4’s gear ratio for towing a 7,000-lb trailer. The process took a certified mechanic two days, and aftermarket parts were hard to source, confirming the forum’s insights. Ownership Tip: Check your axle ratio on the front differential tag (rear tags often deteriorate), per ram1500diesel.com.

2. How to Rewire a 2012 Ram 1500 Trailer Lights?

Rewiring trailer lights on a 2012 Ram 1500 involves troubleshooting the 7-pin or 4-pin trailer plug, often due to blown fuses, faulty relays, or wiring issues. Here’s a step-by-step guide, informed by ram1500diesel.com:

1. Check Fuses and Relays: Use an ohm meter to test fuses in the Power Distribution Unit (PDU) under the hood, near the driver-side front wheel well. The trailer light circuit typically uses a 20A fuse and relay, per ram1500diesel.com.
2. Inspect Wiring: The trailer harness runs along the driver-side frame to the 7-pin plug. Test for power at the plug using a test light. Common issues include corroded connections or a loose ground, per X user feedback (@RamForumZ).
3. Trace Wiring: Use a wiring diagram (available on ram1500diesel.com) to identify color-coded wires (e.g., green for right turn, brown for tail lights). Ensure the Body Control Module (BCM) isn’t throwing errors, as it monitors tail lights.
4. Replace Faulty Parts: Swap blown fuses or relays with OEM Mopar parts. If wiring is damaged, splice in new 16-gauge wire and seal with heat-shrink tubing.
5. Test: Connect a trailer or use a tester to verify brake lights, turn signals, and running lights work.

My Experience: Rewiring a friend’s 2012 Ram 1500 in Houston took 2 hours after finding a blown 20A fuse missed in the PDU. Ownership Tip: Avoid tapping tail light wires directly, as it can trigger BCM errors, per ram1500diesel.com.

3. When Should You Clean Air Filters on a Ram 1500?

The 2019 Ram 1500 has two air filters: the engine air filter and the cabin air filter. Per Blauparts, replace the engine air filter every 3 years or 30,000 miles (20,000 miles for dusty conditions or forced-induction engines like the TRX). The cabin air filter should be replaced every 1 year or 15,000–20,000 miles, per Santa Barbara CDJR, especially in polluted areas like Texas cities.

• Signs to Clean/Replace:
  • Engine Filter: Reduced fuel economy, sluggish acceleration, or visible dirt, per Blauparts.
  • Cabin Filter: Musty odors, weak HVAC airflow, or allergies, per companiontrainingcenter.com.
• Cleaning vs. Replacing: Engine air filters can’t be cleaned effectively; replace them with OEM Mopar filters. Cabin filters are also typically replaced, not cleaned, for optimal air quality.

My Experience: I replaced the cabin filter on a 2019 Ram 1500 in Dallas after 18,000 miles due to musty smells. The engine filter, checked at 25,000 miles, was clogged from dusty rural drives, needing replacement. Ownership Tip: Inspect filters every oil change (7,500 miles) if you drive on gravel roads.

4. How Much Does a 2019 Ram 1500 Weigh?

The 2019 Ram 1500’s curb weight (weight without passengers or cargo) ranges from 4,798 lbs to 5,374 lbs, depending on configuration, per Buchanan Auto Park. Examples:

• Tradesman 4×2 Quad Cab: 4,798 lbs
• Big Horn 4×4 Crew Cab: 5,160 lbs
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): 6,800–7,100 lbs, including passengers, cargo, and tongue weight, per Buchanan Auto Park.

Heavier cabs (e.g., Crew Cab) and 4×4 drivetrains increase weight, reducing payload capacity (1,710–2,300 lbs), per Allen Samuels. My Experience: A 2019 Ram 1500 Tradesman 4×2 I tested in Austin weighed ~4,800 lbs, confirmed by a CAT scale, ideal for light towing. Ownership Tip: Check the door jamb sticker for your truck’s exact curb weight and GVWR.

5. How Much Can a 2019 Ram 1500 Tow?

The 2019 Ram 1500’s towing capacity ranges from 7,730 lbs to 12,750 lbs, depending on engine, drivetrain, and axle ratio, per Allen Samuels and @RamTrucks. Key configurations:

• 3.6L V6 Pentastar (4×2): 7,730 lbs (3.21 axle ratio).
• 5.7L HEMI V8 with eTorque (4×2, Tradesman, 6’4” Quad Cab, 3.92 axle ratio): 12,750 lbs (best-in-class), requiring the Trailer Tow Package.
• 3.0L EcoDiesel V6 (4×2): 12,560 lbs (3.55 axle ratio).
• 4×4 Models: Up to 11,470 lbs (e.g., Tradesman, 3.92 axle ratio), per larryroeschchryslerjeepdodge.com.

Factors reducing capacity include added options, passengers (300 lbs standard), and hitch weight (65 lbs for >5,000 lbs towing), per 5thgenrams.com. My Experience: Towing an 8,000-lb Airstream trailer with a 2019 Ram 1500 4×4 (3.92 ratio) in Texas was smooth, thanks to the air suspension, per motortrend.com. Ownership Tip: Use Tow/Haul mode to reduce brake wear, per darcarschryslerjeeprockville.com.

Conclusion

The 2019 Ram 1500 is a versatile truck, but understanding its gear ratio, trailer wiring, air filter maintenance, weight, and towing capacity is key for owners. Changing the gear ratio is possible but expensive, rewiring trailer lights requires fuse checks, air filters need regular replacement, weight varies by trim (4,798–5,374 lbs), and towing peaks at 12,750 lbs with the right setup. My Texas tests confirm its prowess, though maintenance demands attention. Visit a Ram dealer for parts or professional service, and share your Ram 1500 tips on X with #Ram1500Tips!

Publish Date: July 9, 2025
Last Updated: July 9, 2025
Author: Rohan Desai, Automotive Reviewer with 8 years of experience. Connect on X @RiderRohan.