2004 DODGE SPRINTER towing

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PERMISSIBLE ROOF LOADThe maximum permissible roof load is:
 Vehicles with low roof 660 lbs (300 kg)
 Vehicles with high roof 330 lbs (150 kg)
 The weight of any load carried on the roof,
including the roof rack, must not exceed the
maximum permissible roof load.TRA I LER TOWI NGTrailer Hitches (Optional)
Only install a trailer hitch receiver approved for your
vehicle. For information on availability and
installation, please see your authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not designed for use
with clamp-type hitches. Do not attach rental hitches
or other bumper-type hitches to them.
To reduce the possibility of damage, remove the hitch
ball adaptor from the receiver when not in use.Electrical Connections (Optional)The Sprinter is available with a variety of pre-installed
conditions (lines and turn signal indicator and brake
module installed and / or not installed). Make sure that
the correct trailer hitch receiver kit is used. For further
information, please see your authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
In order to prevent possible damage to the vehicle’s
electrical system by incorrectly installing the trailer
wiring plug, we recommend having the harness
connected at an authorized Sprinter Dealer.
WARNING!
Failure to use proper equipment and driving tech-
nique can result in a loss of vehicle control when
towing a trailer.
Improper towing or failure to follow the
instructions contained in this guide can result in
serious injury. Follow the guidelines below
carefully to assure safe trailer operation.
Ask your authorized Sprinter Dealer, if you
require an explanation of information contained
in this guide.
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Checking Weights of Vehicle and TrailerTo assure that the tow vehicle and trailer are in
compliance with the maximum permissible weight
limits, and to know the actual weights, have the loaded
vehicle-trailer combination (tow vehicle including
driver, passengers and cargo, trailer fully loaded)
weighed on a commercial scale.
Check the vehicle’s front and rear Gross Axle Weight
(GAW), the GTW and TW. The values as measured
must not be exceeded, according to the weight listed
under “Vehicle and trailer weight and ratings”.A ttaching a TrailerPlease observe maximum permitted trailer dimensions
(width and length).
Most states and all Canadian provinces require safety
chains between your tow vehicle and the trailer. The
chains should be crisscrossed under the trailer tongue.
They must be attached to the hitch receiver, and not to
the vehicle’s bumper or axle. Be sure to leave enough
slack in the chains to permit turning corners.
Most states and all Canadian provinces require a
separate brake system at various trailer weights.
WARNING!
Do not connect a trailer brake system (if trailer is
so equipped) directly to the vehicle’s hydraulic
brake system as your vehicle is equipped with an-
tilock brakes. If you do, neither the vehicle’s
brakes nor the trailer’s brakes will function prop-
erly. This could cause an accident resulting in
property damage, injury or death to you or others.
The provided vehicle electrical wiring harness for
trailer towing has a brake signal wire for hook-up
to a brake controller.
Most states and all Canadian provinces require a
break-away switch on trailers with a separate
brake system. The switch activates the trailer
brakes in the possible event that the trailer might
separate from the tow vehicle.
You should consider using a trailer sway control
system. For further information see your
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
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180 STARTING AND OPERATINGTowing a TrailerThere are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailer towing. Make
sure that your vehicle-trailer combination will be legal,
not only for where you reside, but also for where you
will be driving. A good source for this information can
be the police or local authorities.
Before you start driving with the trailer, check the
trailer hitch, break-away switch, safety chains,
electrical connections, lighting and tires. Also adjust
the mirrors to permit unobstructed view beyond rear
of trailer.
If the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and
trailer moving slowly, and then apply only the trailer
brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are
working properly.
When towing a trailer, check occasionally to be sure
that the load is secure, and that lighting and trailer
brakes (if so equipped) are functioning properly.
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent load shifts
while driving.Take into consideration that when towing a trailer, the
handling characteristics are different and less stable
from those when operating the vehicle without a
trailer. It is important to avoid sudden maneuvers. The
vehicle and trailer combination is heavier, and
therefore is limited in acceleration and climbing ability,
and requires longer stopping distances. It is more
prone to reacting to side wind gusts, and requires more
sensitive steering input.
In order to gain skill and an understanding of the
vehicle’s behavior, you should practice turning, stopping
and backing up in an area which is free from traffic.If possible, do not brake abruptly, but rather engage
the brake slightly at first to permit the trailer to activate
its brake. Then increase the braking force.
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WARNING!
Take into consideration that when towing a trail-
er, the handling characteristics are different and
less stable from those when operating the vehicle
without a trailer.
It is important to avoid sudden maneuvers.
Sudden maneuvers may lead to loss of control
over the vehicle-trailer combination. This could
cause an accident resulting in property damage or
injury to you or others.
CAUTION!
If the transmission hunts between gears on
inclines, manually shift to a lower gear (select
"4",
"3", "2" or
"1"). A lower gear and reduction of
speed reduces the chance of engine overloading
and / or overheating.
When going down a long hill, shift into a lower
gear and use the engine’s braking effect. Avoid
riding the brakes, thus overheating the vehicle
and trailer brakes.
If the engine coolant rises to an extremely high
temperature (coolant temperature needle
approaching the red zone) when the air
conditioner is on, turn off the air conditioner.
Engine coolant heat can be additionally vented by
opening the windows, switching the climate
control fan speed to high and setting the
temperature control to the maximum hot position.
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
6
CONTENTS
Hazard Warning Flasher Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Vehicle Tool Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

Changing the Tire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187Spare Wheel Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192Using the Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

Removing a Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

Installing a Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

Jump Starting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

Towing the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200If the Engine is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201If the Transmission is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . 201If the Front Axle is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202If the Rear Axle is Damaged . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
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200 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES1. First connect the positive terminals of the two
batteries (see illustration, Items 1 + 2). Start with the
booster battery.
2. Then connect the negative terminal of the vehicle
with the booster battery to a vehicle ground point
of the vehicle with the discharged battery, such as
to the engine block (see illustration, Items 3 + 4).
Start with the booster battery.
3. Start the engine in the customary manner.
4. Allow the engine to run for a short time.
5. Before disconnecting the jumper cables from the
vehicle with the booster battery, switch on an
electrical consumer (e.g. the blower, but not the
lamps).
6. Disconnect the jumper cables in the reverse order to
that in which they were connected.
7. Disconnect the jumper cable from negative
terminal and vehicle ground point first (see
illustration, items 3 + 4), then from positive
terminals of the batteries (see illustration 1 + 2).
NOTE: Never try to start the engine with the aid of a
battery quick-charge unit.
TOWING THE VEHICLE
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WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 201
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If the Engine is DamagedFor towing distances up to 30 miles (about 50 km)
 Shift selector lever to "N" position.
 Do not exceed a towing speed of 30 mph (50 km / h).
For towing distances greater than 30 miles (about
50 km)
 Remove the propeller shafts leading to the drive
axles.
The vehicle can be towed without restriction.If the Transmission is Damaged Remove the propeller shafts leading to the drive
axles.
WARNING!
Do not tow the vehicle if the key cannot be turned
in the ignition lock.
If the key cannot be turned, the ignition lock re-
mains locked and the vehicle cannot be steered.
With the engine not running there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems.
In this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary
to brake and steer the vehicle.
The vehicle must not be towed with the front axle
raised and the key in position 2 in the ignition
lock as the drive wheels could then lock due to the
acceleration skid control (ASR) or the optional
Electronic Stability Program (ESP).
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202 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIESIf the Front Axle is DamagedRaise the front axle.
 Observe the same towing restrictions as for engine
damage.
If the Rear Axle is Damaged  Raise the rear axle.
NOTE: Comply with local legal regulations regarding
towing vehicles.
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