Looking primarily at a 6.4 gasser after my current diesel debacle...

Do the new 6.4 2500's come with a 6-speed trans or an 8-speed?

Could or would you use a 1500 be reliably used to pull 11k?

“Could or would you use a 1500 be reliably used to pull 11k?“

IMO no, you’re going to need a 2500.

I was just looking at a semi-local dealer's website yesterday due to the talk of deep discounts and a lot of inventory on new vehicles.
The specs and price are on the dealer's link: https://www.hillkellydodge.com/new/Ram/2024-Ram-2500-36efe054ac1820fe2a1697e025e2e07e.htm

I had myself convinced to get a 3500 SRW long bed with the 6.4. We only take maybe one long trek a year and the initial cost is obviously considerably less with the gasser. I’ve noted the winter “snowbird” community that a lot have gone this route. In talking with them they definitely mention that they are stopping for gas quite often, but they feel overall the cost or potential costs are quite a bit lower. Btw I KNOW on the long bed 3500 the optional 50 gal tank is available, not sure on the 2500 although I can’t see why it wouldn’t be. Fortunately or unfortunately a nice low mile 3500 CTD came in and I jumped on it. My favorite era is the 14-18 CTD…. I’ve already seen some of the 19+ with lifter issues.

My '21 1500 is rated to tow 11,400#. On short notice, I hooked an empty 10,000# rated toyhauler on to it and it squatted like a scared puppy. I'm guessing that thing only weighed 6-7k as it sat, no dishes, fuel, water, cargo etc. Definitely a 2-handed drive for the 200 miles I had to get it home (where I had left the CTD 2500).

You can find towing specs here RAM towing

Surprising what they are rated at...

Towing weight is one factor but what was the tongue weight of the 11k lb +. trailer?

Don't forget those ratings and for vehicles "properly equipped "

That usually means weight distribution, sway control, tow package etc.

And GCVW doesn't mean trailer weight, it means everything including the truck and meatbags.

There was no "11k lb+" trailer.
The 11,400 rating I stated was for my exact truck according to the Ram specs as it is equipped. I verified this when buying and again this morning. Admittedly my memory rounded up by 80 lbs.
GVWR 7100
Payload 1860
GCWR 17,000
Max trailer 11,320
I was alone in the truck with no excess cargo towing a trailer I estimate weighed 6,000-7,000. This estimate is based on a 10,000 lb rating for the trailer and I recall the CCC was in the high 3,000 or low 4,000 lb range. The tongue weight would have been slightly higher than normal because toyhaulers are designed to have "heavy" cargo in the rear and it was empty. It would not however have been anywhere near the truck's max tongue weight or rear axle ratings.
The OP asked if anybody would use a 1500 to tow 11,000 lbs. I gave my real-world, been there done that nearly needed to change my underwear experience. In my opinion it is not a good idea even though the truck may be rated for it.

It's crazy the weights they claim 1500 trucks can tow these days. No way I'd tow that much with them (10,000+lb).

I tow with a 21 1500 Hemi quad cab 4WD , 3.92 rear with trailer tow pkg etc and it tows awesome !! but I only have a 20 ft enclosed trailer which weighs a little over 3,000 lbs , the race car weighs around 3,000 lbs with scooter, generator , tools etc I am around 6500 - 6800 lbs , even with my D150 in the trailer ( which weighs around 4,000 lbs ) it still tows and handles awesome! I looked at 2500s and liked them but they seemed a little overkill for my operation plus they don't offer a quad cab only crew or mega which wouldn't fit in my limited driveway space. ( which is why I only have a 20 ft trailer ) However if I had a larger trailer say 24 ft or bigger I would think a 2500 would be necessary !

Sorry. I misread your post when I replied at 4:00 am.

I towed a similar weight trailer with my 2016 RAM 1500 and it squatted like you mentioned. I added Airlift airbags and that problem was solved. However while I could tow my trailer pretty well, I constantly had minor "bucking" as I went down the road as the trailer weight was about the same as my truck weight (2WD). "Bucking" is where the trailer pushes and pulls your tow vehicle as you hit uneven spots in the road. I would never consider towing anything more than 7klbs. with my 1500. Now I have a 2500 4WD and the weight of this truck is 2K lbs. more than my 1500 2wd so the bucking sensation is gone.

Thats strange I haven't experienced the bucking .. perhaps because the truck is 4WD? or that I use weight distribution bars on the hitch and trailer .

and don't forget, some of these rigs are approaching needing a CDL to legally operate......