2004 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL weight

must be considered as part of the total load on your
vehicle. Refer to the Certification label located at the
driver's door for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Axle Lubricant and Trailer Towing
2500/3500 Models
²
The Axles on 2500/3500 Modelsare trailer tow ready
andDO NOT REQUIREany special axle lubes or
additives.
Trailer Towing Recommendations
²
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
²Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer.
²Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury. An electrically±actuated electric trailer
brake controller is recommended.
²Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1000
lbs (454 kg) and are required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg)
274 STARTING AND OPERATING

²Use an approved wiring harness connector on the
trailer. Standard equipment on all RAM pickup mod-
els provides a 4-way trailer tow connector located
under the bumper. This connector contains the follow-
ing vehicle circuits: park/tail lamps, left stop/turn
lamp, right stop/turn lamp, and ground. With the
optional Trailer Tow Prep package a 7-way connector
is provided with the following additional circuits:
backup lamp, trailer battery and electric brake.
NOTE:Connect trailer lighting and brakes using factory
harnesses only. Do not cut or splice wiring to the brake
circuits.
²Be sure the trailer is loaded heavier in front, with 60%
to 65% of the weight in front of the axle(s). Loads
balanced over the wheels or heavier in the rear can
cause the trailer to sway severely side to side which
will cause loss of control of vehicle and trailer. Failureto load trailers heavier in front is the cause of many
trailer accidents. (For a95th Wheel9style trailer, this
range of loading on the9King Pin9should be between
15% and 25%.)
²Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer and
will not shift during travel. When towing cargo such
as livestock, dynamic load shifts can occur that require
the driver to maintain attention.
Trailer Towing Ð Hitches
With a Class I Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to tow
trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 2,000 lbs
(907 kg) maximum.
With a Class II Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to
tow trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 3,500
lbs (1 587 kg) maximum. Tongue weight must be equal to
at least 10% of GTW, but no more than 15% of GTW.
STARTING AND OPERATING 275
5

With a Class III Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to
tow trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 5,000
lbs (2 268 kg) maximum. Factory-installed rear step
bumpers are rated a Class III hitch. Tongue weight must
be equal to at least 10% of the gross trailer weight (GTW),
but no more than 15% of the GTW.
A frame mounted hitch of up to Class IV rating, as rated
by the hitch manufacturer, is supplied as part of the
trailer tow prep package. With a Class IV Hitch, you can
tow a trailer with a Gross Trailer Weight of up to 12,000
lbs (5 443 kg) maximum depending on your vehicle
equipment. Tongue weight must be equal to at least 10%
of the gross trailer weight (GTW), but no more than 15%
of the GTW.Connecting Trailer Lighting And Electric Trailer
Brakes
NOTE:A 4-way trailer tow connector, located behind
the bumper, is standard equipment on all Ram pickup
models. This connector contains the following vehicle
circuits: park/tail lamps, left stop/turn lamp, right stop/
turn lamp, and ground. With the optional Trailer Tow
Prep package a 7-way connector is also provided with the
following additional circuits: backup lamp, trailer battery
and electric brake.
NOTE:There is also a 4±way connector located under
the instrument panel, located to the left of the brake
pedal that is used for the electric brake. This connector
contains the following vehicle circuits; power ground,
battery, stop lamp switch and electric brake feed. The
4±way is optional with the trailer tow prep package.
276 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 located ahead of the trailer axle(s)
sufficiently to place 10% to 15% of the GTW on the tow
hitch of your vehicle.
Equalizing hitch are required for Class III or IV trailer
hitches and tongue weights above 350 lbs (159 kg) and
use of trailer sway control is recommended.Tongue weight must be equal to at least 10% of GTW, but
no more than 15% of GTW.
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)
278 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 always
achieve 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.
Trailer Towing Mirrors Ð If Equipped
These mirrors are designed with an adjustable mirror
head to provide a greater vision range when towing
extra-wide loads. To change position inboard or out-
board, the mirror head should be rotated (flipped Out or
In). A small blindspot mirror is integrated onto the main
mirror surface.
STARTING AND OPERATING 279
5

Before plowing
²
Check the hydraulic system for leaks and proper fluid
level.
²Check the mounting bolts and nuts for proper tight-
ness.
²Check the runners and cutting edge for excessive wear.
The cutting edge should be 1/4 to 1/2 inch above
ground in snow plowing position.
²Check that snowplow lighting is connected and func-
tioning properly.
Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability
For Information about snowplow applications visit
www.dodge.com or refer to the 2004 Dodge Truck Body
Builders Guide.
1. The maximum number of occupants in the truck
should not exceed two.2. The total GVWR or the Front GAWR or the Rear
GAWR should never be exceeded.
3. The snowplow prep packages are not available with
the Sport Package.
4. 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 pas-
sengers.
Vehicle front end wheel alignment was set to specifica-
tions at the factory without consideration for the weight
STARTING AND OPERATING 283
5

Noise Control System Required Maintenance &
Warranty
For 3500 Two-Wheel Drive and Four-Wheel Drive mod-
els 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.
Required Maintenance For Noise Control Systems
The following maintenance services must be performed
every 6 months or 6,000 miles (9 600 km), whichever
comes first, to assure proper operation of the noise
control systems. In addition, inspection and service
should be performed anytime a malfunction is observed
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 357
7

Tire Markings.......................... 243
Tire Safety Information.................... 243
Tires ...............................70,251
Air Pressure.......................... 251
Alignment........................... 258
Chains.............................. 259
Changing............................ 299
Compact Spare........................ 255
Dual............................263,306
General Information.................... 251
High Speed.......................... 254
Inflation Pressures..................... 252
Jacking............................. 300
Load Capacity.....................247,248
Radial.............................. 255
Replacement......................... 257
Rotation............................. 261
Safety...........................243,251
Sizes............................... 244Snow Tires........................... 261
Spare Tire........................... 299
Spinning............................ 256
Tread Wear Indicators................... 257
Wheel Mounting....................... 300
Wheel Nut Torque..................... 305
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 278
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 222
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 314
Towing
Disabled Vehicle....................... 315
Guide.............................. 279
Recreational.......................... 286
Trailering............................ 274
Weight.............................. 279
Traction.............................. 293
Traction Control......................... 352
Trailer Towing.......................... 272
Hitches............................. 275
424 INDEX