2008 DODGE MAGNUM tow

EXAMPLE ONLY Front
AxleRear Axle
Empty Weight 2054 lbs
(932 kg)1805 lbs
(819 kg)
Load (Including driver, pas-
sengers and cargo)271 lbs
(123 kg)579 lbs
(263 kg)
Total 2325 lbs
(1055 kg)2384 lbs
(1081 kg)
GAWR 2546 lbs
(1155 kg)2708 lbs
(1228 kg)
NOTE:Refer to the ªVehicle Certification Labelº at-
tached to the rear of the driver's door for your vehicle's
GVWR and GAWRs. This table is only an example.TRAILER TOWING
In this section, you will find safety tips and information
on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do
with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer, carefully
review this information to tow your load as efficiently
and safely as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the requirements
and recommendations in this manual concerning ve-
hicles used for trailer towing.
Common Towing Definitions
The following trailer towing related definitions will assist
you in understanding the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, cargo, and tongue
weight. The total load must be limited so that you do not
exceed the GVWR.
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Frontal Area
Frontal area is the maximum height and maximum width
of the front of a trailer.
Trailer Sway Control
The trailer sway control is a telescoping link that can be
installed between the hitch receiver and the trailer tongue
that typically provides adjustable friction associated with
the telescoping motion to dampen any unwanted trailer
swaying motions while traveling.
Weight-Carrying Hitch
A weight-carrying hitch supports the trailer tongue
weight, just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or
some other connecting point of the vehicle. These kinds
of hitches are the most popular on the market today and
they're commonly used to tow small- and medium-sized
trailers.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
A weight-distributing system works by applying lever-
age through spring (load) bars. They are typically used
for heavier loads, to distribute trailer tongue weight to
the tow vehicle's front axle and the trailer axle(s). When
used in accordance with the manufacturers' directions, it
provides for a more level ride, offering more consistent
steering and brake control thereby enhancing towing
safety. The addition of a friction / hydraulic sway control
also dampens sway caused by traffic and crosswinds and
contributes positively to tow vehicle and trailer stability.
Trailer sway control and a weight distributing (load
equalizing) hitch are recommended for heavier Tongue
Weights (TW) and may be required depending on Vehicle
and Trailer configuration / loading to comply with Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) requirements.
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Trailer Hitch Classification
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 the ªTrailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer
Weight Ratings)º chart for the Max. GTW towable for
your given drivetrain.
Trailer Hitch Classification
Class Max. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.)
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Class II - Medium Duty 3,500 lbs (1587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2268 kg)
Class IV - Extra Heavy
Duty10,000 lbs (4540 kg)
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
Improper Adjustment of Weight Distributing System
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Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/Transmission Frontal Area Max. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.)Max. Tongue Wt.
2.7L & 3.5L Rear Wheel
Drive (RWD) Automatic22 SQ. FT. (2.04 square meters) Up to 2 persons & Luggage
1,000 lbs (454 kg)100 lbs (45 kg)
22 SQ. FT. (2.04 square meters) Up to 3 persons & Luggage
1,000 lbs (454 kg)100 lbs (45 kg)
22 SQ. FT. (2.04 square meters) Up to 4 persons & Luggage
1,000 lbs (454 kg)100 lbs (45 kg)
22 SQ. FT. (2.04 square meters) Up to 5 persons & NO Lug-
gage 1,000 lbs (454 kg)100 lbs (45 kg)
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Engine/Transmission Frontal Area Max. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.)Max. Tongue Wt.
3.5L All Wheel Drive
(AWD) & 5.7L Auto-
matic32 SQ. FT. (2.97 square meters) Up to 2 persons & Luggage
2,000 lbs (907 kg)200 lbs (91 kg)
32 SQ. FT. (2.97 square meters) Up to 3 persons & Luggage
2,000 lbs (907 kg)200 lbs (91 kg)
32 SQ. FT. (2.97 square meters) Up to 4 persons & Luggage
1,500 lbs (680 kg)150 lbs (68 kg)
32 SQ. FT. (2.97 square meters) Up to 5 persons & NO Lug-
gage 1,000 lbs (454 kg)100 lbs (45 kg)
5.7L Automatic with
trailer tow package40 SQ. FT. (3.72 square meters) Up to 2 persons & Luggage
3,800 lbs (1724 kg)380 lbs (172 kg)
40 SQ. FT. (3.72 square meters) Up to 3 persons & Luggage
3,000 lbs (1361 kg)300 lbs (136 kg)
40 SQ. FT. (3.72 square meters) Up to 4 persons & Luggage
1,500 lbs (680 kg)150 lbs (68 kg)
40 SQ. FT. (3.72 square meters) Up to 5 persons & NO Lug-
gage 1,000 lbs (454 kg)100 lbs (45 kg)
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds.
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NOTE:The trailer tongue weight must be considered as
part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo, and
it should never exceed the weight referenced on the ªTire
and Loading Informationº placard. Refer to ªTire±Safety
Informationº in this section.
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 the 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.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.
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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 the ªTire and Loading Informationº
placard for the maximum combined weight of occupants
and cargo for your vehicle.
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 miles (805
km) of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage
your vehicle.
²During the first 500 miles (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.
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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
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