2013 Ram 1500 load capacity

VEHICLE LOADING
Certification Label
As required by National Highway Traffic Safety Admin-
istration regulations, your vehicle has a certification label
affixed to the driver’s side door or pillar.
This label contains the month and year of manufacture,
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) front and rear, and Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN). A Month-Day-Hour (MDH) number is
included on this label and indicates the Month, Day and
Hour of manufacture. The bar code that appears on the
bottom of the label is your VIN.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
including driver, passengers, vehicle, options and cargo.
The label also specifies maximum capacities of front andrear axle systems (GAWR). Total load must be limited so
GVWR and front and rear GAWR are not exceeded.
Payload
The payload of a vehicle is defined as the allowable load
weight a truck can carry, including the weight of the
driver, all passengers, options and cargo.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible load on the front
and rear axles. The load must be distributed in the cargo
area so that the GAWR of each axle is not exceeded.
Each axle GAWR is determined by the components in the
system with the lowest load carrying capacity (axle,
springs, tires or wheels). Heavier axles or suspension
components sometimes specified by purchasers for in-
creased durability does not necessarily increase the vehi-
cle’s GVWR.
532 STARTING AND OPERATING

Tire Size
The tire size on the Vehicle Certification Label represents
the actual tire size on your vehicle. Replacement tires
must be equal to the load capacity of this tire size.
Rim Size
This is the rim size that is appropriate for the tire size
listed.
Inflation Pressure
This is the cold tire inflation pressure for your vehicle for
all loading conditions up to full GAWR.
Curb Weight
The curb weight of a vehicle is defined as the total weight
of the vehicle with all fluids, including vehicle fuel, at full
capacity conditions, and with no occupants or cargo
loaded into the vehicle. The front and rear curb weightvalues are determined by weighing your vehicle on a
commercial scale before any occupants or cargo are
added.
Loading
The actual total weight and the weight of the front and
rear of your vehicle at the ground can best be determined
by weighing it when it is loaded and ready for operation.
The entire vehicle should first be weighed on a commer-
cial scale to insure that the GVWR has not been exceeded.
The weight on the front and rear of the vehicle should
then be determined separately to be sure that the load is
properly distributed over the front and rear axle. Weigh-
ing the vehicle may show that the GAWR of either the
front or rear axles has been exceeded but the total load is
within the specified GVWR. If so, weight must be shifted
from front to rear or rear to front as appropriate until the
specified weight limitations are met. Store the heavier
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 533

exceed the GVWR. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle
Certification Label” in “Starting and Operating” for
further information.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all
cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or tem-
porary) loaded in or on the trailer in itsloaded and
ready for operation condition. The recommended way to
measure GTW is to put your fully loaded trailer on a
vehicle scale. The entire weight of the trailer must be
supported by the scale.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The GCWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
and trailer when weighed in combination.
NOTE: The GCWR rating includes a 150 lbs (68 kg)
allowance for the presence of a driver.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear
axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles
evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or
rear GAWR. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle Certifica-
tion Label” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information.
WARNING!
It is important that you do not exceed the maximum
front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition
can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose
control of the vehicle and have an accident.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 535

WARNING!(Continued)
•Total 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
4. Trailer tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch
utilized .
Towing Requirements – Tires
• Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire.
• Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to “Tires – General Information” in “Starting and Oper-
ating” for proper tire inflation procedures.
• Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.
• Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Starting and Operating” for the
proper inspection procedure.
• When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting and Operating” for proper tire
replacement procedures. Replacing tires with a higher
load carrying capacity will not increase the vehicle’s
GVWR and GAWR limits.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 547

Towing Requirements – Trailer Brakes
•Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury.
• An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
• Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
1,653 lbs (750 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
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your brake
system and cause it to fail. You might not have
brakes when you need them and could have an
accident.
(Continued)
548 STARTING AND OPERATING

•Check the runners and cutting edge for excessive wear.
The cutting edge should be 1/4 to 1/2 in (6 cm to 1.2
cm) above ground in snow plowing position.
• Check that snowplow lighting is connected and func-
tioning properly.
Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability
For Information about snowplow applications visit
www.ramtrucks.com or refer to the current Body Build-
ers Guide.
1. The maximum number of occupants in the truck should not exceed two.
2. The total GVWR or the Front GAWR or the Rear GAWR should never be exceeded.
3. Cargo capacity will be reduced by the addition of options or passengers, etc.
The loaded vehicle weight, including the snowplow system,
all aftermarket accessories, driver, passengers, options, and
cargo, must not exceed either the Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVWR) or Gross Axle Weight (GAWR) ratings. These
weights are specified on the Safety Compliance Certifica-
tion Label on the driver’s side door opening.
NOTE: Detach the snowplow when transporting pas-
sengers.
Vehicle front end wheel alignment was set to specifica-
tions at the factory without consideration for the weight
of the plow. Front end toe-in should be checked and reset
if necessary at the beginning and end of the snowplow
season. This will help prevent uneven tire wear.
The blade should be lowered whenever the vehicle is
parked.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 559

Starting............................. .528
Flooded Engine Starting ....................345
Fluid, Brake ............................ .692
Fluid Capacities ......................... .689
Fluid Leaks ............................ .124
Fluid Level Checks Brake ............................... .654
Fluids, Lubricants and Genuine Parts ...........691
Fog Lights ............................. .166
Fold Flat Load Floor ...................... .227
Four-Way Hazard Flasher ...................571
Four Wheel Drive ........................ .386
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle .....................616
Front Axle (Differential) .....................656
Fuel .................................. .521
Adding ............................. .530
Additives ............................ .524
Clean Air ............................ .522
Ethanol ............................. .522Filler Cap (Gas Cap)
.....................531
Gasoline ............................. .521
Materials Added ....................... .524
Methanol ............................ .522
Octane Rating ......................... .521
Requirements ......................... .521
Tank Capacity ......................... .689
Fuel, Flexible ........................... .526
Fuel System Caution ...................... .530
Fuses ................................. .668
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ...................531
Gasoline, Clean Air ....................... .522
Gasoline (Fuel) .......................... .521
Gasoline, Reformulated .....................522
Gauges Speedometer ......................... .262
Tachometer ........................... .257
Gear
Ranges ............................ .365
10
INDEX 719

Storage, Vehicle.......................... .332
Storing Your Vehicle ...................... .678
Sun Roof .............................. .205
Supplemental Tire Pressure Information .........503
Suspension, Air .......................... .410
Sway Control, Trailer ...................... .481
Synthetic Engine Oil ...................... .639
System, Remote Starting .....................31
Tachometer ............................. .257
Tailgate ............................... .245
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ..........325
Tilt Steering Column ...................... .176
Tip Start ............................... .343
Tire and Loading Information Placard ...........488
Tire Markings ........................... .482
Tires ................................. .124
Aging (Life of Tires) .....................501
Air Pressure .......................... .493Chains
.............................. .504
Compact Spare ........................ .498
Dual ............................... .507
General Information .....................493
High Speed .......................... .496
Inflation Pressures ...................... .494
Life of Tires .......................... .501
Load Capacity ........................ .488
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ............508
Pressure Warning Light ...................262
Quality Grading ........................711
Radial .............................. .496
Replacement .......................... .502
Rotation ............................. .506
Safety .............................. .482
Sizes ............................... .483
Snow Tires ........................... .497
Spinning ............................ .500
T

read Wear Indicators ....................500
728 INDEX