2008 DODGE MAGNUM trailer

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 it 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
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause
a loss of control, poor performance, or damage to
brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspen-
sion, chassis 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
P for Park. Always, block or9chock9the trailer wheels.
²GCWR must not be exceeded.
²Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
STARTING AND OPERATING 351
5

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. Refer to the
ªTires±General Informationº in this section for infor-
mation on tire pressures and for proper tire inflation
procedures.
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. Refer to ªTires±General Infor-
mationº in this section for information on tread wear
indicators and for the proper inspection procedure.
þWhen replacing tires, refer to ªTires±General Informa-
tionº in this section for information on replacement
tires and for the proper tire replacement procedures.
Replacing 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.
þAn electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
352 STARTING AND OPERATING

actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
þTrailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000
lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000
lbs (907 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle's hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing, you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Towing Requirements Ð Trailer Lights & Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
STARTING AND OPERATING 353
5

The Trailer Tow Package may includea4and7pin
wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness
and connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.
4 - Pin Connector
354 STARTING AND OPERATING

Towing Tips
Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping,
and backing the trailer in an area located away from
heavy traffic.
Towing Tips Ð Automatic Transmission
The ªDº range can be selected when towing. However, if
frequent shifting occurs while in this range, the ª3º range
should be selected.
NOTE:Using the ª3º range while operating the vehicle
under heavy operating conditions will improve perfor-
mance and extend transmission life by reducing exces-
sive shifting and heat build up. This action will also
provide better engine braking.
If you REGULARLY tow a trailer for more than 45
minutes of continuous operation, then change the auto-
matic transamission fluid and filter according to the
interval specified for ªpolice, taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer
towingº in the ªMaintenance Scheduleº in this manual.
7 - Pin Connector
STARTING AND OPERATING 355
5

Cavity Car-
tridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
9 Ð 20 Amp
YellowPower Outlet
10ÐÐÐ
11*ÐÐÐ
12*ÐÐÐ
13*ÐÐÐ
14 Ð 10 Amp
RedAC Heater Control/
Cluster/Security Mod-
ule - if equipped
15 Ð 20 Amp
YellowTrailer Tow Brake Mod-
ule - if equipped
16 Ð 20 Amp
YellowRear Power Outlet
17 Ð 20 Amp
YellowClusterCavity Car-
tridge
FuseMini
FuseDescription
18 Ð 20 Amp
YellowSelectable Power Outlet
19 Ð 10 Amp
RedStop Lights
20 Ð 20 Amp
YellowRear Wiper Motor
21ÐÐÐ
22ÐÐÐ
23ÐÐÐ
24ÐÐÐ
25ÐÐÐ
26ÐÐÐ
27 Ð 10 Amp
RedOccupant Restraint Con-
troller (ORC)
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 425
7

Perform Maintenance Every(Where time and mileage
are listed, follow the interval that occurs first.)
Maintenance Items Miles Kilometers or Months
Replace the engine air cleaner filter. 30,000 50 000 30
Inspect the transfer case fluid Ð All Wheel Drive
(AWD).30,000 50 000 30
Replace the spark plugs on 5.7L engines.30,000 50 000 30
Change the rear axle fluid if using your vehicle for
any of the following: police, taxi, fleet, off-road, or fre-
quent trailer towing.48,000 80 000 48
Change the automatic transmission fluid & filter if
using your vehicle for any of the following: police,
taxi, fleet, or frequent trailer towing.60,000 100 000 60
Change the transfer case fluid if using your vehicle for
any of the following: police, taxi, fleet, off-road, or fre-
quent trailer towing Ð All Wheel Drive (AWD).60,000 100 000 60
Inspect and replace the PCV valve if necessary.90,000 150 000 90
Flush and replace the engine coolant. 102,000 170 000 60
446 MAINTENANCE SCHEDULES
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Heater............................... 249
Heater, Engine Block..................... 271
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 128
Hitches
Trailer Towing........................ 346
Holder, Coin........................... 154
Holder, Cup........................... 152
HomeLinkt(Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . . 140
Hood Release.......................... 123
Hoses.............................410,411
Ignition............................... 14
Key ...............................12,14
Ignition Key Removal..................... 14
Illuminated Entry........................ 20
Immobilizer (Sentry Key)................... 15
Indicator, Traction Control................. 296
Infant Restraint........................66,67
Inflation Pressure Tires.................... 182Information Center, Vehicle................. 185
Inside Rearview Mirror.................... 85
Instrument Cluster.................172,173,174
Instrument Panel and Controls.............. 171
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning............. 420
Interior Appearance Care.................. 418
Interior Fuses.......................... 421
Interior Lights.......................... 129
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers)........131,260
Introduction............................. 4
Jack Location........................... 364
Jack Operation.......................... 366
Jacking Instructions...................... 366
Jump Starting.......................... 373
Key, Programming........................ 17
Key, Replacement........................ 16
Key, Sentry (Immobilizer)................... 15
INDEX 469
10