2017 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab towing capacity

Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed the
load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You will
not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you adhere to
the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire inflation
pressures specified on the Tire and Loading Information
placard in “Vehicle Loading” in “Starting And Operating”,
or the Tire Information Supplement, located in your Own-
er ’s Information kit.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition, gross
axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear axles
must not be exceeded. Refer to “Vehicle Loading” in
“Starting And Operating”, or the Tire Information
Supplement located in your Owner ’s Information kit, for
further information on GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer
towing.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs” on the Tire and Loading Information placard. The combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and trailer
tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed the
weight referenced here.
Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit—
(1) Locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or
XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
(2) Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
(4) The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available
cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400-750
(5x150) = 650 lbs.)
378 STARTING AND OPERATING

(5) Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in Step 4.
(6) If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this reduces the available
cargo and luggage load capacity of your vehicle.
Metric Example For Load Limit
For example, if “XXX” amount equals 635 kg, and there
will be five 68 kg passengers in your vehicle, the amount of
available cargo and luggage load capacity is 295 kg (635-
340 (5x68) = 295 kg) as shown in step 4.NOTE:
•
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. The following
table shows examples on how to calculate total load,
cargo/luggage, and towing capacities of your vehicle
with varying seating configurations and number and
size of occupants. This table is for illustration purposes
only and may not be accurate for the seating and load
carry capacity of your vehicle.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 379

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 the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage,
follow the requirements and recommendations in this
manual concerning vehicles 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. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle Certification
Label” in “Starting And Operating” for further informa-
tion.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all
cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or tempo-
rary) 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.
WARNING!
If the gross trailer weight is 5,000 lbs (2,267 kg) or more,
it is recommended to use a weight-distributing hitch to
ensure stable handling of your vehicle. If you use a
standard weight-carrying hitch, you could lose control
of your vehicle and cause a collision.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The GCWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle
and trailer when weighed in combination.
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
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 409

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. 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 Operat-
ing” for proper tire inflation procedures.
• Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pressures
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 Informa-
tion” in “Starting And Operating” for proper tire re-
placement procedures. Replacing tires with a higher
load carrying capacity will not increase the vehicle’s
GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
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.
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (453 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.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 415

How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat Belt.........79
Infants And Child Restraints .................69
Locating The LATCH Anchorages ..............76
Lower Anchors And Tethers For Children ........73
Older Children And Child Restraints ...........70
Seating Positions ..........................72
Cigar Lighter ............................ .177
Clean Air Gasoline ........................ .402
Cleaning Wheels ............................... .488
Climate Control ........................... .280
Cold Weather Operation ..................... .327
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ................278
Compact Spare Tire ........................ .386
Console, Overhead ........................ .163
Contract, Service .......................... .520
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) .............479
Cooling System ........................... .476
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .................478
Coolant Capacity ........................ .507
Coolant Level ....................... .477, 480
Disposal Of Used Coolant ..................479
Drain, Flush, And Refill ....................477
Inspection ............................. .480
Points To Remember ..................... .480Pressure Cap
........................... .479
Radiator Cap .......................... .479
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) ..........477, 508
Corrosion Protection ....................... .486
Cruise Light .......................... .221, 222
Cupholders .............................. .179
Customer Assistance ....................... .518
Customer Programmable Features ...............259
Daytime Running Lights .....................129
Dealer Service ............................ .456
Defroster, Rear Window ..................... .187
Defroster, Windshield ........................94
Delay

(Intermittent) Wipers ...................137
Differential, Limited-Slip .....................350
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ....................485
Power Steering ......................... .354
Disabled Vehicle Towing .....................446
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) .................479
Do Not Disturb ........................... .319
Door Ajar ............................... .207
Door Ajar Light ........................... .207
526 INDEX

Tires...........................96, 381, 386, 394
Aging (Life Of Tires) ..................... .389
Air Pressure ........................ .376, 381
Chains ............................... .390
Compact Spare ......................... .386
Dual .......................... .393, 431, 439
General Information ...................381, 386
High Speed ............................ .383
Inflation Pressures ....................... .382
Life Of Tires ........................... .389
Load Capacity ...................... .376, 378
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) .............395
Pressure Warning Light ....................212
Quality Grading ........................ .394
Radial ............................... .384
Replacement ........................... .389
Rotation .............................. .392
Safety ............................ .370, 381
Sizes ................................ .372
Snow Tires ............................ .385
Spare Tire ......................... .386, 387
Spinning .............................. .388
Tread Wear Indicators .....................388
Wheel Nut Torque ....................... .437
Tire Safety Information ...................... .370Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight
.................413
Torque Converter Clutch .....................339
Tow Hooks, Emergency ..................... .444
Towing ............................. .409, 446
Disabled Vehicle ........................ .446
Guide ................................ .413
Recreational ........................... .423
Weight ............................... .413
Towing Vehicle Behind A Motorhome ............423
Traction ................................ .351
T
raction Control .......................... .362
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ....................367
Trailer Towing ............................ .409
Cooling System Tips ..................... .421
Hitches ............................... .412
Minimum Requirements ....................414
Mirrors ................................111
Trailer And Tongue Weight ..................413
Wiring ............................... .419
Trailer Towing Guide ....................... .413
Trailer Weight ............................ .413
Transfer Case ............................ .483
Electronically Shifted ..................... .346
Fluid ................................ .510
Transmission ............................. .484
536 INDEX