Ram Car Shipping Guide 2026: What to Know
Ram trucks are the ultimate symbols of American power, capability, and utilitarian luxury. The modern lineup covers everything from the dependable Ram 1500 daily driver to the off-road-conquering TRX, the commercial-grade 3500 Dual Rear Wheel (DRW), and the incredibly advanced 1500 REV electric truck. However, relocating these massive machines across the country requires a specialized logistical approach. Driving a heavy-duty truck thousands of miles yourself burns an enormous amount of expensive fuel, racks up unnecessary mileage, and consumes days of your valuable time.
By coordinating your move with AmeriFreight Auto Transport, you bypass the exhaustion of a cross-country haul. We connect you directly with a vast network of vetted commercial carriers who have the exact equipment needed to safely handle the extreme widths, heights, and curb weights of the entire Ram lineup.
Why Ram Transport Needs Extra Attention
Shipping a full-size truck is a completely different ballgame than shipping a compact sedan. A truck’s physical footprint dictates exactly where and how it can be loaded onto a commercial trailer:
The "Dually" Dilemma: The Ram 3500 DRW is an absolute behemoth built for extreme towing. Its widened rear axle and massive dual rear wheels often exceed the width of standard car-hauler loading ramps.
The TRX Anomaly: Engineered to dominate off-road trails, the Ram 1500 TRX sits almost a foot off the ground, spans nearly 80 inches wide, and weighs almost 6,700 pounds. Because of its towering height, carriers must carefully assign the TRX to a bottom-deck slot to ensure the commercial transport truck does not strike low-hanging highway bridges.
Heavy Electric Payloads: The transition to electric trucks introduces an entirely new weight challenge. The Ram 1500 REV and Ramcharger pack incredibly dense battery packs to achieve their massive towing ranges. These electric models can easily tip the scales at 7,000 to 8,000 pounds. Because commercial car haulers are strictly capped at an 80,000-pound maximum highway limit, hauling heavy EVs forces dispatchers to haul fewer vehicles per trip.
Shipping Lifted, Modified, and Off-Road Rams
Ram owners are famous for customizing their rigs. However, upgrading your suspension directly impacts how your truck travels:
Height Restrictions and Lift Kits: Adding a 6-inch aftermarket suspension lift and 35-inch mud tires fundamentally changes your truck's center of gravity and overall height. Commercial trailers are strictly limited to a height of 13.6 feet. If your lifted Ram sits too high to safely fit on a multi-level open carrier, the dispatcher will need to reserve a specialized flatbed or hotshot trailer.
Communicate Your Upgrades: Always tell your shipping agent about any modifications before booking. Oversized tires, heavy-duty winch bumpers, steel flatbeds, and roof racks all change the dimensions of the truck. If the carrier arrives and the truck is significantly larger or heavier than a stock model, they may be forced to refuse the load.
Inoperable Project Trucks: If you are buying a classic Dodge Ram restoration project or an auction salvage that cannot start, steer, or brake, standard loading ramps won't work. The driver will need to use a mechanical winch to pull the dead weight onto the trailer.
Military PCS, Fleet Relocations, and Everyday Work Trucks
While the TRX and the massive 3500 get all the attention, the standard light-duty Ram 1500 (in trims like the Tradesman, Big Horn, or Laramie) remains the undeniable backbone of the auto transport industry.
Because a standard, unmodified Ram 1500 fits perfectly within the weight and height tolerances of a traditional open carrier, it is incredibly easy for drivers to load and secure. This makes the standard 1500 highly cost-effective to ship. It is the go-to choice for commercial fleet managers shifting inventory between states, as well as active-duty military families organizing a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move who want to secure the most budget-friendly rates possible.
Where Enthusiasts Find Out-of-State Rams
Whether you are hunting for a rare TRX allocation or searching for a rust-free work truck, buying a Ram across state lines is incredibly popular. Here is what you need to know when shopping nationwide:
Southern Truck Sourcing: Buyers in snowy northern climates frequently buy used Ram 2500s featuring the legendary Cummins diesel engine from southern states like Texas. Shipping a truck from the South guarantees a clean, rust-free undercarriage that hasn't been exposed to harsh road salt.
Taxes and Dealership Proxies: When buying from a distant dealer, the transport driver acts as your eyes and ears, noting any pre-existing scratches on the official transport paperwork before loading the truck. Remember, you will pay your local state's vehicle sales tax when you register the truck at your hometown DMV, not the state where you bought it.
Comparing Ram Transport Options: Open vs. Enclosed
Deciding between trailer types comes down to the size of your truck, your budget, and how much protection you want from the elements.
How Ram Shipping Works with AmeriFreight Auto Transport
Backed by decades of logistical expertise and an A rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), AmeriFreight Auto Transport removes the stress and uncertainty from shipping your massive truck:
Rigorous Carrier Vetting: We do not hand your keys to just anyone. AmeriFreight actively screens a network of over 14,000 motor carriers, ensuring the driver dispatched for your Ram has verified safety records, active operating authority, and up-to-date cargo insurance.
Exclusive Consumer Discounts: We offer a wide variety of pricing discounts to help ease the financial burden of relocating, including dedicated price breaks for active-duty military, first responders, medical personnel, and senior citizens.
Zero Upfront Fees: Transparency is our priority. You will never be asked to pay an upfront deposit until a verified, trusted carrier is officially assigned and dispatched to your specific route.
Convenient Door-to-Door Delivery: As long as your neighborhood streets and cul-de-sacs are wide enough for a commercial 80-foot semi-truck to maneuver safely, our carriers will pick up and deliver your Ram directly to your driveway.
Optional AFTA Protection: While the motor carrier's insurance covers primary physical damage, standard policies often have high deductibles. AmeriFreight offers exclusive AFTA gap protection plans, giving you peace of mind and a 48-hour window to report post-delivery damage without worrying about out-of-pocket costs.
Realistic Ram Transit Expectations
When calculating your moving budget, the national average to ship a vehicle is around $1,215, but heavy-duty trucks usually carry a moderate size premium. Interestingly, auto transport operates on a sliding scale. While a long cross-country trip costs more overall, the actual cost per mile drops significantly because highway cruising is incredibly efficient for truckers.
Easy Steps to Prepare Your Ram for Delivery Day
A little bit of preparation ensures your truck is legally compliant and ready for a smooth handover:
Lower the Fuel Level: Keep your gas or diesel tank at roughly one-quarter (1/4) full. A full tank on a Ram truck adds over a hundred pounds of unnecessary weight to the transport trailer.
Charge the EV Battery: If you are shipping an electric Ram 1500 REV, aim to keep the battery charged between 20% and 50%. This gives the driver plenty of juice to load the truck while minimizing the battery's thermal energy during the multi-day trip.
Wash the Exterior: A clean truck makes it incredibly easy for you and the driver to spot and document pre-existing chips or dents during the initial condition inspection.
Empty the Cab and Bed: Federal highway laws prohibit auto haulers from transporting personal household goods. Make sure to remove all tools, luggage, and personal items from the cabin and the truck bed.
Review the Bill of Lading (BOL): The BOL is your official shipping contract and condition report. You must inspect the truck meticulously at delivery. If your Ram arrives with a new scratch, you must write it down on the BOL before signing it. Signing a clean BOL without noting damage acts as a legal admission that the truck arrived in perfect condition, which can ruin your chances of filing an insurance claim.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does shipping a Ram 3500 Dually cost more than a standard truck?
Yes. A Ram 3500 Dual Rear Wheel (DRW) is exceptionally wide and incredibly heavy. Because it takes up significantly more space on the trailer and consumes a massive chunk of the carrier's federal payload allowance, dispatchers apply a heavy-vehicle dimensional surcharge to transport it.
Can a lifted Ram truck fit on an enclosed carrier?
Usually, no. Enclosed trailers have rigid, hard-sided walls and low rooflines. If your Ram is equipped with a tall suspension lift and oversized mud tires, it will likely be too wide and too tall to fit inside an enclosed hauler. Lifted trucks are best suited for open transport or specialized flatbed carriers.
What happens if my Ram 1500 REV electric truck runs out of battery during transit?
If an EV arrives completely dead, the driver cannot drive it off the ramps. They will be forced to use specialized mechanical winches to drag the heavy truck off the trailer, which requires extra time and effort and usually results in an additional handling fee. Always ensure your EV has at least a 20% charge before handing over the keys.
Ready to Transport Your Ram Truck?
Moving a full-size pickup requires an experienced dispatcher who understands payload capacities, bridge height restrictions, and heavy-duty logistics. Reach out to the friendly customer support team at AmeriFreight Auto Transport today, or punch your ZIP codes into our online car shipping cost calculator to receive a transparent, personalized estimate for your Ram's journey.
