2008 CHRYSLER ASPEN weight

Gooseneck Hitch
The gooseneck hitch employs a pivoted coupling arm
which attaches to a ball mounted in the bed of a pickup
truck. The coupling arm connects to the hitch mounted
over the rear axle in the truck bed.
Trailer Hitch Classification
The rear bumper is intended to tow trailers up to 2,000
lbs (907 kg) without added equipment or alterations to
the standard equipment. Your vehicle may be factory
equipped for safe towing of trailers weighing over 2,000
lbs (907 kg) with the optional Trailer Tow Prep Package.
See your authorized dealer for package content.
The following chart provides the industry standard for
the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can
tow and should be used to assist you in selecting the
correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition.
Refer to ªTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum TrailerWeight Ratings)º for the website address that contains
the necessary information for your specific drivetrain.
Trailer Hitch Classification
Class Max. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.)
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Class II - Medium
Duty3,500 lbs (1587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2268 kg)
Class IV - Extra
Heavy Duty10,000 lbs (4540 kg)
Fifth Wheel/
GooseneckGreater than 10,000 lbs
(4540 kg)
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
350 STARTING AND OPERATING

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)
NOTE:For additional trailer towing information (maxi-
mum trailer weight ratings) refer to the following website
addresses:
²http:// www.dodge.com/towing
²http:// www.dodge.ca(Canada)
Trailer and Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your
vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to swayseverelyside to side
which will cause loss of control of vehicle and trailer.
Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of
many trailer accidents.Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your bumper or trailer hitch.
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Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
²The tongue weight of the trailer.
²The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
²The weight of the driver and all passengers.
NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options, or dealer-installed options,
must be considered as part of the total load on your
vehicle. Refer to ªTire and Loading Information placardº
under ªTire Safety Informationº in Section 5.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle driv-
etrain components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
²Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 mi (805 km)
of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage your
vehicle.
²During the first 500 mi (805 km) of trailer towing,
limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).
Perform the maintenance listed in Section 8 of this
manual. When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR
or GCWR ratings.
352 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and will not shift during travel. When trailering
cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts
can occur that may be difficult for the driver to
control. You could lose control of your vehicle and
have an accident.
²When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not over-
load your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a
loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes,
axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chas-
sis structure or tires.
²Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning corners.
²Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade.
When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow
vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in
PARK. With a manual transmission, shift the transmis-
sion into REVERSE. And with 4-wheel drive vehicles,
make sure the transfer case is not in NEUTRAL.
Always, block or9chock9the trailer wheels.
²GCWR must not be exceeded.
²Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer so that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
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2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. 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 as a
percentage of total trailer weight.)
Towing Requirements Ð Tires
þ
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
þProper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. For proper
tire inflation procedures, refer to ªTire Pressuresº
under ºTires±General Informationº in Section 5.
þAlso, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation
pressures before trailer usage.
þCheck for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. For the proper inspection
procedure, refer to ªTread Wear Indicatorsº under
ºTires±General Informationº in Section 5.
þWhen replacing tires, refer to ªReplacement Tiresº
under ªTires±General Informationº in Section 5. Re-
placing tires with a higher load carrying capacity will
not increase the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements Ð Trailer Brakes
þ
Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
354 STARTING AND OPERATING

Glass Cleaning.......................... 418
Gross Axle Weight Rating...............343,346
Gross Cargo Weight...................... 342
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating................ 345
GVWR............................342,345
Hands-Free Phone (UConnectŸ)........88,220,221
Hard Drive (HDD)....................217,220
Hazard
Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water........................ 286
Hazard Warning Flasher................... 366
Headlights............................ 429
Cleaning............................ 418
Delay.............................. 146
High Beam........................... 151
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch........ 151
Lights On Reminder.................... 148
Passing............................. 150Replacing............................ 429
Heated Mirrors.......................... 87
Heated Seats........................... 124
Heater............................... 249
Heater, Engine Block..................... 274
High Beam Indicator..................... 204
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 151
Hitches
Trailer Towing........................ 350
HomeLinkt(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 176
Hood Release.......................... 142
Hoses................................ 407
Ignition.............................12,17
Key ................................. 12
Lock................................ 17
Ignition Key Removal..................... 12
Illuminated Entry........................ 20
Immobilizer (Sentry Key)................... 13
INDEX 465
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Tire Markings.......................... 303
Tire Safety Information.................... 303
Tires ............................77,312,455
Aging (Life of Tires).................... 318
Air Pressure.......................... 312
Alignment........................... 320
Chains.............................. 321
Changing............................ 369
Compact Spare........................ 316
General Information.................... 312
High Speed.......................... 315
Inflation Pressures..................... 313
Jacking............................. 370
Life of Tires.......................... 318
Load Capacity.....................308,309
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)........... 324
Pressure Warning Light.................. 211
Quality Grading....................... 455
Radial.............................. 315Replacement......................... 319
Rotation............................. 323
Safety...........................303,312
Sizes............................... 305
Snow Tires........................... 322
Spare Tire........................... 369
Spinning............................ 317
Tread Wear Indicators................... 318
Wheel Mounting....................... 370
Wheel Nut Torque..................... 374
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 351
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 279
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 378
Towing............................... 345
24-Hour Towing Assistance............... 101
Disabled Vehicle....................... 379
Guide.............................. 351
Recreational.......................... 360
Weight.............................. 351
474 INDEX

Towing Assistance....................... 101
Traction.............................. 286
Traction Control......................208,297
Trailer Towing.......................... 345
Cooling System Tips.................... 358
Hitches............................. 350
Minimum Requirements................. 352
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 351
Wiring.............................. 356
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 351
Trailer Weight.......................... 351
Transaxle............................. 274Automatic.........................12,274
Operation........................... 274
Transfer Case........................... 413
Fluid............................... 438
Transmission........................274,410
Automatic........................274,410
Filter............................... 412
Fluid............................... 438
Maintenance.......................... 410
Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless
Entry)................................. 27
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLinkt) . . 176
INDEX 475
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