2008 DODGE SPRINTER weight

305 Operation
Driving tips
4
For the permissible weights and ratings,
refer to the following table.
!
CAUTION
Cargo vans with a long wheelbase of
170.3 in (4325 mm) and an overall
vehicle length of 289.1 in (7344 mm)
have a reduced GTW and TWR.
iThe GVWR and the front/rear GAWR
of your vehicle are indicated on the
certification label.
!
CAUTION
For vehicle model type 3500, the al-
lowable GCWR is less than the com-
bined maximum weight of the GVWR
and the GTW. Exceeding the GCWR
can cause damage to the drive train,
the transmission, or the trailer
hitch*.
Thus, the permissible values for
GVWR and/or the GTW are reduced
when either the trailer or the vehicle
is fully laden. you may therefore only
partly load the vehicle and/or the
trailer.
nf_BA.book Page 305 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

307 Operation
Driving tips
4
When loading the a trailer, you should
observe that the GCWR of your vehicle is
not exceeded.
You must distribute total weight be-
tween the vehicle and the trailer such
that neither the permissible GTW, nor
the GVWR and front/rear GAWR , nor
the TWR are exceeded.
The tongue weight at the hitch ball must
be added to the GVWR to prevent ex-
ceeding your Sprinter tow vehicle’s rear
GAWR.Maximum permissible values are listed
on the safety compliance certification la-
bels for the vehicle and for the trailer to
be towed. The lowest value listed must
be selected when determining how the
vehicle and trailer are loaded. For more
information, refer to “Vehicle and trailer
weights and ratings” (
\2
page 304).
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 vehi-
cle-trailer combination (tow vehicle in-cluding driver, passengers and cargo,
trailer fully loaded) weighed on a com-
mercial scale.
Check the vehicle’s front and rear Gross
Axle Weight (GAW), the GTW, the TW and
the Gross Combination Weight (GCW).
The values as measured must not be ex-
ceeded, according to the weights listed
under “Vehicle and trailer weights and
ratings” (
\2
page 304).
Loading the vehicle and/or a
trailer
nf_BA.book Page 307 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

308 OperationDriving tips
4
Attaching a trailerPlease observe the 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 re-
ceiver, and not to the vehicle’s bumper
or axle. Be sure to leave enough slack in
the chains to permit turning corners.
iMost states and all Canadian prov-
inces require a separate brake sys-
tem at various trailer weights.
Warning
G
Do not connect a trailer brake system (if
trailer is so equipped) directly to the vehi-
cle’s hydraulic brake system as your vehi-
cle is equipped with antilock brakes. If
you do, neither the vehicle’s brakes nor
the trailer’s brakes will function properly.
This could cause an accident resulting in
property damage, injury or death to you or
others.The provided vehicle electrical wiring har-
ness for trailer towing has a brake signal
wire for hook-up to a brake controller.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
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.
nf_BA.book Page 308 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

341 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
\3 Tires and wheelsThe tires on a new vehicle provide a bal-
ance of many characteristics. They
should be inspected regularly for wear
and correct cold tire inflation pressure.
The vehicle manufacturer strongly rec-
ommends using tires equivalent to the
originals in size, quality and perfor-
mance when a replacement becomes
necessary.Refer to the tire and loading information
placard
1 or to the tire inflation pressure
placard on the driver’s door B-pillar
(
\2
page 362) for the size designation of
your tire.
The service description and load identifi-
cation will be found on the original
equipment tire. Failure to use equivalent
replacement tires may adversely affect
the safety, handling, and ride of your
Sprinter vehicle.Contact an authorized Sprinter Dealer or
an authorized tire dealer with any ques-
tions you may have on tire specifications
or capability.
1. For vehicles with a gross weight capacity less
than 10 000 lbs (4 536 kg) (USA only).
nf_BA.book Page 341 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

351 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
An arrow on the side wall indicates the
intended direction of rotation (spinning)
of the tire which means the wheel must
be mounted in the direction of rotation.
If a tire does not have an arrow on the
side wall indicating the direction of rota-
tion, the wheel can be mounted either
way.The following labels on the vehicle show
how much weight it may properly carry.
\4
USA only - vehicles with a gross
weight capacity less than 10,000 lbs
(4536 kg)
Direction of rotationiThe Tire Identification Number (TIN)
must always be visible on the out-
board side of the tire.
!
CAUTION
Spare wheels may be mounted
against the direction of rotation
(spinning) even with a unidirectional
tire for temporary use only until the
regular drive wheel has been re-
paired or replaced. Always observe
and follow applicable temporary use
restrictions and speed limitations in-
dicated on the spare wheel.
Have a spare wheel that was mount-
ed against the direction of rotation
replaced with a regular road wheel as
soon as possible.
Loading the vehicle
nf_BA.book Page 351 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

352 OperationTires and wheels
4
1Tire and loading information placard on
driver’s door B-pillarTire and loading informationThe information below explains how to
work with the information contained on
the tire and loading information placard
with regards to loading your vehicle.The tire and loading information
placard can be found on the driver’s
door B-pillar. This placard tells you
important information about the
number of people that can be in the
vehicle and the total weight that can
be carried in the vehicle.
It also contains information on the
proper size and recommended tire
inflation pressures for the original
equipment tires on your vehicle.
\4
The certification label can be found
below the driver’s seat on an out-
ward facing position of the mounting
pillar (
\2
page 358).This label tells you about
\4
the gross weight capacity of your
vehicle, called the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR)
\4
the front and rear axle weight ca-
pacity, called the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR)
\4
the gross combination capacity
of your vehicle, called the Gross
Combination Weight Rating
(GCWR)
nf_BA.book Page 352 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

353 Operation
Tires and wheels
4
The GVWR includes the weight of the ve-
hicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
The GAWR is the total allowable weight
that can be carried by a single axle (front
or rear).
The GCWR is the total allowable weight
of vehicle and trailer when weighed in
combination.
Never exceed the GVWR, the GAWR for
either the front axle or rear axle or the
GCWR.
Warning
G
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the
tire and loading information placard on
the driver’s door B-pillar or on the certifi-
cation label below the driver’s seat on the
mounting pillar. Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blow-
out. Overloading the tires can also result
in handling or steering problems, or brake
failure.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
Overloading of tires is dangerous. Over-
loading can cause tire failure, affect vehi-
cle handling, and increase the stopping
distance. Use tires of the recommended
load capacity for the vehicle. Never over-
load them.
nf_BA.book Page 353 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM

354 OperationTires and wheels
4
Placard (USA Only)For vehicles with a gross weight capacity
less than 10,000 lbs (4536 kg) only.
The tire and loading information placard
is located on the driver’s door B-pillar.Tire and loading information placard
1Seating capacity
2Load limit information
Seating capacityThe seating capacity
1
gives you im-
portant information on the number of
occupants that can be in the vehicle. Ob-
serve front and rear seating capacity.
Never let more people ride in the vehicle
than there are designated seating posi-
tions and seat belts available. Make sure
that everyone riding in the vehicle is cor-
rectly restrained with a separate seat
belt.
iThe data shown on this placard is for
illustrative purposes only. The load
limit data and seating data are spe-
cific to each vehicle and may vary
from the data shown in the illustra-
tion below. Refer to the placard on
your vehicle for actual data specific
to your vehicle.
nf_BA.book Page 354 Friday, January 25, 2008 3:53 PM