2011 Ram 1500 recreational towing

Recreational Towing – Two-Wheel Drive Models
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain
will result.
Recreational towing (for two-wheel drive models) is
allowed ONLY if the rear wheels are OFF the ground.
This may be accomplished using a tow dolly or vehicle
trailer. If using a tow dolly, follow this procedure:
1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following
the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the tow dolly.
3. Firmly set the parking brake. Place automatic trans-
mission in PARK, manual transmission in gear (not in
Neutral).
4. Properly secure the rear wheels to the dolly, following
the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Remove the key fob from the ignition switch.6. Install a suitable clamping device, designed for tow-
ing, to secure the front wheels in the straight position.
CAUTION!
•Towing with the rear wheels on the ground will
cause severe transmission damage. Damage from
improper towing is not covered under the New
Vehicle Limited Warranty.
•Do not disconnect the driveshaft because fluid
will leak from the transmission, causing damage
to internal parts.
Recreational Towing – Four-Wheel Drive Models
NOTE:
Both the manual shift and electronic shift trans-
fer cases must be shifted into NEUTRAL for recreational
towing. Automatic transmissions must be shifted into
PARK for recreational towing. Manual transmissions
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 479

must be placed in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL) for recre-
ational towing. Refer to the following for the proper
transfer case NEUTRAL shifting procedure for your
vehicle.
CAUTION!
•Front or rear wheel lifts should not be used.
Internal damage to the transmission or transfer
case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used
when recreational towing.
•Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this
vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the
transfer case.
•Automatic transmissions must be placed in the
PARK position for recreational towing.
•Manual transmissions must be placed in gear (not
in Neutral) for recreational towing.(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Before recreational towing, perform the procedure
outlined under “Shifting Into NEUTRAL” to be
certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL.
Otherwise, internal damage will result.
•Towing this vehicle in violation of the above
requirements can cause severe transmission and/or
transfer case damage. Damage from improper tow-
ing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
•Do not disconnect the rear driveshaft because
fluid will leak from the transfer case, causing
damage to internal parts.
•Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar
on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be
damaged.
480 STARTING AND OPERATING

Shifting Into Neutral (N) – Manual Shift Transfer
Case (If Equipped)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
Neutral (N) position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case Neutral (N) position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move,
even if the transmission is in PARK. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in Neutral (N) before recre-
ational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Turn OFF the engine.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal.
4. Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or
depress the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
5. Shift the transfer case lever into Neutral (N).
6. Start the engine.
7. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 481

6. Shift the transfer case lever to the desired position.
NOTE:When shifting out of transfer case Neutral (N),
turning the engine OFF may be required to avoid gear
clash.
7. Shift the automatic transmission into PARK, or place
manual transmission in Neutral.
8. Release the brake pedal.
9. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
10. Start the engine.
11. Press and hold the brake pedal.
12. Release the parking brake.
13. Shift the transmission into gear, release the brake
pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions), and
check that the vehicle operates normally.Shifting Into Neutral – Electronic Shift Transfer
Case (If Equipped)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing:
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL position
disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from
the powertrain and will allow the vehicle to move,
even if the transmission is in PARK. The parking
brake should always be applied when the driver is
not in the vehicle.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 483

TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial wrecker service. If the trans-
mission and drivetrain are operable, disabled vehicles
may also be towed as described under “Recreational
Towing” in the “Starting and Operating” section.
Towing ConditionWheels OFF
the Ground 2WD Models
4WD Models
Flat Tow NONEIf transmission is operable:
•
Trans in NEUTRAL
• 30 mph max(48 km/h)
• 15 miles (24 km) maxdistance See instructions in “Recreational Tow-
ing” under “Starting and Operating”
•
Auto Trans in PARK
• Manual Trans in gear ( NOTNeutral
• T/case in NEUTRAL
• To w i n forward direction
Wheel Lift or Dolly To w Front
NOT ALLOWED
Rear OK NOT ALLOWED
Flatbed ALLBEST METHOD BEST METHOD
518 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Reclining Rear Seats...................... 110
Recorder, Event Data ...................... 66
Recreational Towing ...................... 478
Shifting into Transfer Case Neutral(N) . . . 481,483
Shifting out of Transfer Case
Neutral (N) ...................... 482,486
Reformulated Gasoline .................... 444
Refrigerant ............................ 539
Reminder, Seat Belt ....................... 51
Remote Control Starting System ....................... 26
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) ................. 20
Remote Sound System (Radio) Controls ........ 288
Remote Starting System .................... 26
Replacement Keys ........................ 17
Replacement Parts ....................... 531
Replacement Tires ....................... 423
Reporting Safety Defects ................... 608
Resetting Oil Change Indicator ...........217,235Restraint, Head
......................... 114
Restraints, Child ....................... 67,74
Restraints, Occupant ...................... 38
Rotation, Tires .......................... 428
Safety Checks Inside Vehicle ................. 83
Safety Checks Outside Vehicle ............... 85
Safety Defects, Reporting .................. 608
Safety Information, Tire ................... 406
Safety Tips ............................. 82
Safety, Exhaust Gas ....................... 82
Satellite Radio Antenna ................... 271
Schedule, Maintenance .................... 586
Seat Belt Maintenance .................... 562
Seat Belt Reminder ....................... 51
Seat Belts .......................... 38,39,83
Adjustable Upper Shoulder Anchorage ...... 47
And Pregnant Women .................. 52
Child Restraint ..................... 67,70
10
INDEX 627

Tip Start.............................. 309
Tire and Loading Information Placard ...... 411,424
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ............. 409
Tire Markings .......................... 406
Tire Safety Information .................... 406
Tires ............................ 85,415,611
Aging (Life of Tires) .................. 422
Air Pressure ........................ 415
Chains ............................ 425
Compact Spare ...................... 419
Dual ........................... 429,507
General Information .................. 415
High Speed ......................... 417
Inflation Pressures .................... 416
Life of Tires ........................ 422
Load Capacity .................... 41 1,412
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ......... 430
Pressure Warning Light ................ 221
Quality Grading ..................... 611 Radial
............................ 418
Replacement ........................ 423
Rotation ........................... 428
Safety .......................... 406,415
Sizes ............................. 407
Snow Tires ......................... 427
Spinning ........................... 421
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 422
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 462
Torque Converter Clutch ................318,324
Tow Hooks, Emergency ................... 515
Towing ............................ 456,518
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 518
Guide ............................. 461
Recreational ........................ 478
Weight ............................ 461
Traction .............................. 365
Traction Control ......................... 396
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ................. 405
630 INDEX