2005 DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL load capacity

VEHICLE LOADING
Certification Label
As required by National Highway Traffic Safety Admin-
istration Regulations, your vehicle has a certification
label affixed to the driver’s side door or pillar.
This label contains the month and year of manufacture,
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) front and rear, and Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN). A Month-Day-Hour (MDH) number is
included on this label and indicates the Month, Day and
Hour of manufacture. The bar code that appears on the
bottom of the label is your Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN).
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
including driver, passengers, vehicle, options and cargo.
The label also specifies maximum capacities of front andrear axle systems (GAWR). Total load must be limited so
GVWR and front and rear GAWR are not exceeded.
Payload
The payload of a vehicle is defined as the allowable load
weight a truck can carry, including the weight of the
driver, all passengers, options and cargo.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible load on the front
and rear axles. The load must be distributed in the cargo
area so that the GAWR of each axle is not exceeded.
Each axle GAWR is determined by the components in the
system with the lowest load carrying capacity (axle,
springs, tires or wheels). Heavier axles or suspension
components sometimes specified by purchasers for in-
creased durability does not necessarily increase the vehi-
cle’s GVWR.
286 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Size
This is the minimum allowable tire size for your vehicle.
Replacement tires must be equal to the load capacity of
this tire size.
Rim Size
This is the rim size that is appropriate for the tire size
listed.
Inflation Pressure
This is the cold tire inflation pressure for your vehicle for
all loading conditions up to full GAWR.
Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the total weight
of the vehicle with all fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full
capacity conditions, and with no occupants or cargo
loaded into the vehicle. The front and rear curb weight
values are determined by weighing your vehicle on a
commercial scale before any occupants or cargo are
added.
Loading
The actual total weight and the weight of the front and
rear of your vehicle at the ground can best be determined
by weighing it when it is loaded and ready for operation.
The entire vehicle should first be weighed on a commer-
cial scale to insure that the GVWR has not been exceeded.
The weight on the front and rear of the vehicle should
then be determined separately to be sure that the load is
properly distributed over front and rear axle. Weighing
the vehicle may show that the GAWR of either the front
or rear axles has been exceeded but the total load is
within the specified GVWR. If so, weight must be shifted
from front to rear or rear to front as appropriate until the
specified weight limitations are met. Store the heavier
items down low and be sure that the weight is distributed
equally. Stow all loose items securely before driving.
Improper weight distributions can have an adverse effect
on the way your vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.
STARTING AND OPERATING 287
5

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 weightof 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
conditions permit. Do not exceed 40 mph (64 km/h). The
operator should always maintain a safe stopping distance
and allow adequate passing clearance.
300 STARTING AND OPERATING

Exterior Lighting........................ 116
Fan .................................. 365
Filters
Engine Oil.....................343,346,398
Flashers
Turn Signal.......................... 118
Flat Tire Stowage.....................317,326
Fluid, Brake........................... 399
Fluid Capacities......................... 397
Fluid Level Checks
Brake............................... 367
Manual Transmission................... 370
Power Steering........................ 356
Transfer Case......................... 370
Fog Lights.......................... 117,396
Fold Flat Load Floor..................... 148
Four Wheel Drive....................... 243
Four-Way Hazard Flasher.................. 314Freeing A Stuck Vehicle................... 331
Front Axle..........................358,369
Fuel..............................281,315
Diesel.........................281,315,398
Gauge.............................. 168
Requirements......................... 281
Specifications......................... 284
Tank Capacity........................ 397
Fuses................................ 383
Garage Door Opener..................... 134
Gauges............................... 169
Coolant Temperature.................... 165
Fuel................................ 168
Oil Pressure.......................... 164
Speedometer......................... 164
Tachometer.......................... 163
Voltmeter............................ 162
Gear Ranges........................... 237
436 INDEX

Tire Safety Information.................... 260
Tires ...............................70,268
Air Pressure.......................... 268
Alignment........................... 276
Chains.............................. 276
Changing............................ 317
Compact Spare........................ 272
Dual............................280,324
General Information.................... 268
High Speed.......................... 271
Inflation Pressures..................... 269
Jacking............................. 318
Load Capacity.....................264,265
Radial.............................. 271
Replacement......................... 275
Rotation............................. 279
Safety...........................260,268
Sizes............................... 261
Snow Tires........................... 278Spare Tire........................... 317
Spinning............................ 273
Tread Wear Indicators................... 274
Wheel Mounting....................... 318
Wheel Nut Torque..................... 322
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 294
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 241
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 331
Towing
Disabled Vehicle....................... 332
Guide.............................. 295
Recreational.......................... 302
Trailering............................ 291
Weight.............................. 295
Traction............................... 311
Traction Control......................... 370
Trailer Towing.......................... 289
Hitches............................. 292
Mirrors...........................81,296
444 INDEX