2004 DODGE RAM 1500 GAS weight

CAUTION!
Connect trailer lighting and brakes using factory
harnesses only. Do not cut or splice wiring to the
brake circuits. Use an approved wiring harness con-
nector on the trailer.
Trailer Weight and Trailer Tongue Weight
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) means the weight of the
trailer plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and
equipment loaded on the trailer when in actual under-
way towing condition. The recommended way to mea-
sure GTW is to put your fully loaded trailer on a vehicle
scale. The entire weight of the trailer must be supported
by the scale.
Tongue Weight is the weight placed on the vehicle's
trailer hitch by the trailer. Always load a trailer with 60%to 65% of the weight in the front of the trailer. This places
10% to 15% of the GTW on the tow hitch of your vehicle.
Trailer sway control and equalizing hitch are required for
Class III or IV trailer hitches and tongue weights above
350 lbs (159 kg).
Tongue weight must be equal to at least 10% of GTW, but
no more than 15% of GTW.
276 STARTING AND OPERATING

Also, there are maximum tongue weight ratings that are
not to be exceeded, as follows:
²Class III (the bumper ball type) 500 lbs (227 kg)
²Class IV (the receiver hitch type) 1200 lbs (544 kg)
NOTE: When towing a trailer, the following require-
ments must be adhered to:
²GCWR must not be exceeded
²Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
(4) ratings are not exceeded:
1.GVWR
2.GTW
3.Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized
(This requirement may limit the ability to alwaysachieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue weight [15%
to 25% for a(5th Wheel(style trailer] as a percentage
of total trailer weight.)
4.GAWR ratings
Trailer Towing Information (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)
(Trailer Towing Guide(
NOTE:For trailer towing information (maximum trailer
weight ratings) refer to the following website address:
http:// www.dodge.com/towing.
In Canada, refer to the following website address:http://
www.dodge.ca.
STARTING AND OPERATING 277
5

2. The maximum number of occupants in the truck
should not exceed two.
3. The total GVWR or the Front GAWR or the Rear
GAWR should never be exceeded.
4. The snowplow prep packages are not available with
the Sport Package.
5. Cargo capacity will be reduced by the addition of
options or passengers, etc.
The loaded vehicle weight, including the snowplow
system, all aftermarket accessories, driver, passengers,
options, and cargo, must not exceed either the Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVWR) or Gross Axle Weight (GAWR)
ratings. These weights are specified on the Safety Com-
pliance Certification Label on the driver's side door
opening.
NOTE: Detach the snowplow when transporting
passengers.Vehicle front end wheel alignment was set to specifica-
tions at the factory without consideration for the weight
of the plow. Front end tow-in should be checked and
reset if necessary at the beginning and end of the
snowplow season. This will help prevent uneven tire
wear.
The blade should be lowered whenever the vehicle is
parked.
Maintain and operate your vehicle and snowplow equip-
ment following the recommendations provided by the
specific snowplow manufacturer.
Over the Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached
The blade restricts air flow to the radiator and causes the
engine to operate at higher than normal temperatures.
Therefore, when transporting the plow, angle the blade
completely and position it as low as road or surface
282 STARTING AND OPERATING

NMaintenance Free Battery................337
NAir Conditioner Maintenance.............338
NPower Steering Ð Fluid Check............339
NFront Suspension Ball Joints..............340
NSteering Linkage Ð Inspection............341
NHalf-Shaft Constant Velocity Joints.........341
NBody Lubrication.....................341
NWindshield Wiper Blades................342
NWindshield Washers...................342
NExhaust System......................343
NCooling System.......................344
NHoses And Vacuum/Vapor Harnesses.......347
NBrake System........................348NClutch Hydraulic System................349
NClutch Linkage.......................350
NPropeller Shaft Universal Joints...........350
NRear Axle And 4X4 Front Driving Axle
Fluid Level..........................350
NTransfer Case........................351
NManual Transmission..................351
NAutomatic Transmission................352
NFront Wheel Bearings..................355
NSelection Of Lubricating Grease...........356
NNoise Control System Required Maintenance &
Warranty For 3500 2-Wheel Drive And 4-Wheel
Drive Models Over 10,000 Lbs. (4 535 Kg) Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating...................356
320 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Selection of Lubricating Grease
The National Lubricating Grease Institute (NLGI) has
developed a symbol (Certification Mark) to aid the
vehicle owner in the proper selection of grease for the
lubrication of wheel bearings and chassis components.
This symbol (an example is shown below) is located on
the grease container and identifies the application and
quality of the grease.
There are two groups iden-
tified, those for wheel bear-
ings (Letter ªGº) and those
for chassis (Letter ªLº) lu-
brication. Performance cat-
egories within these groups
result in dual letter designa-
tions for each group. The
letter designations shown in
the example are the highest
quality level available and when combined as shown canbe used for both wheel bearing and chassis lubrication.
Use only those greases that have the NLGI symbol on the
container along with the proper quality level for your
application.
Noise Control System Required Maintenance &
Warranty For 3500 2-Wheel Drive and 4-Wheel
Drive models over 10,000 lbs. (4 535 kg) Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating.
All vehicles built over 10,000 lbs (4 535 kg) Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating and manufactured for sale and use in the
United States are required to comply with the Federal
Government's Exterior Noise Regulations. These vehicles
can be identified by the Noise Emission Control Label
located in the operator's compartment.
356 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

Inflation Pressures..................... 244
Jacking............................. 302
Load Capacity.....................239,240
Radial.............................. 247
Replacement......................... 249
Rotation..........................253,386
Safety...........................234,243
Sizes............................... 236
Snow Tires........................... 253
Spare Tire........................... 301
Spinning............................ 248
Tread Wear Indicators................... 249
Wheel Mounting....................... 302
Wheel Nut Torque..................... 307
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 276
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 212
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 316
Towing
Disabled Vehicle....................... 317Guide.............................. 277
Recreational.......................... 284
Trailering............................ 272
Weight.............................. 277
Traction.............................. 292
Trailer Towing.......................... 270
Hitches............................. 274
Mirrors...........................79,278
Tips ................................ 278
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 276
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 277
Trailer Weight.......................... 277
Transfer Case........................... 351
Fluid............................... 382
Transmission
Automatic........................208,352
Fluid............................... 382
Maintenance.......................351,352
Manual........................205,213,351
INDEX 427
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