2017 Ram 3500 weight

6. Preform a visual inspection of the trailer and weightdistributing hitch to confirm manufacturers’ recommen-
dations have been met.
Measurement Example Example 2500/3500
Height (mm)
H1 1030
H2 1058
H2-H1 28
(H2-H1)/2 14
(H2-H1)/2 + H1 1044
NOTE: For all towing conditions, we recommend towing
with tow haul mode engaged.
Towing With All Other 1500/2500/3500 (Non-Air Suspen-
sion)
1. Position the truck to be ready to connect to the trailer (do not connect the trailer).
2. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening on the fender to ground, this is height H1.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle without the weight distribution bars connected. 4. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening
on the fender to ground, this is height H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distributing bars per the manufacturers’ recommendations so that
the height of the front fender is approximately (H2-H1)/
2+H1 (about 1/2 the difference between H2 and H1
above normal ride height [H1]).
6. Preform a visual inspection of the trailer and weight distributing hitch to confirm manufacturers’ recommen-
dations have been met.
Measurement Example Example 2500/3500
Height (mm)
H1 1030
H2 1058
H2-H1 28
(H2-H1)/2 14
(H2-H1)/2 + H1 1044
NOTE: For all towing conditions, we recommend towing
with tow haul mode engaged.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 557

Fifth-Wheel Hitch
The fifth-wheel hitch is a special high platform with a
coupling that mounts over the rear axle of the tow vehicle
in the truck bed. It connects a vehicle and fifth-wheel trailer
with a coupling king pin.
Your truck may be equipped with a 5th wheel hitch option.
Refer to the separately provided 5th wheel hitch safety,
care, assembly, and operating instructions.
Gooseneck Hitch
The gooseneck hitch employs a pivoted coupling arm
which attaches to a ball mounted in the bed of a pickup
truck. The coupling arm connects to the hitch mounted
over the rear axle in the truck bed.
Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer Weight
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight
a given factory equipped trailer hitch type can tow and
should be used to assist you in selecting the correct trailer
hitch for your intended towing condition.
Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer WeightHitch Type Max. Trailer Weight / Max. Tongue Weight
Class III Bumper
Hitch - 1500 Model 5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) / 500 lbs
(226 kg)
Class IV - 1500 Model
11,000 lbs (4,989 kg) / 1100 lbs (498 kg)
Class V - 2500/3500Models18,000 lbs (8,164 kg) / 1800 lbs (816 kg)
Fifth Wheel - 2500Model25,000 lbs (11,339 kg) / 5000 lbs (2,267 kg)
Gooseneck - 2500Model 20,000 lbs (9,071 kg) /
4000 lbs (1,814 kg)
Gooseneck Or Fifth
Wheel - 3500 Model
32,000 lbs (14,545 kg) / 6000 lbs (2,721 kg)
Refer to the “Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum TrailerWeight Ratings)” for the Maximum Gross Trailer
Weight (GTW) towable for your given drivetrain.
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
558 STARTING AND OPERATING

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)
NOTE:For additional trailer towing information (maxi-
mum trailer weight ratings) refer to the following website
addresses:
• ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/
• ramtruck.ca (Canada)
• rambodybuilder.com
Trailer And Tongue Weight
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your trailer hitch or the weights specified in the informa-
tion that can be found under “Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)”.
Consider the following items when computing the weight
on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•The tongue weight of the trailer
• The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment put
in or on your vehicle
• The weight of the driver and all passengers 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 con-
sidered as part of the total load on your vehicle. Refer to
“Tire Safety Information/Tire and Loading Information
Placard” in “Starting And Operating” for further informa-
tion.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drivetrain
components the following guidelines are recommended:
CAUTION!
• Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(805 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine, axle
or other parts could be damaged.
• Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that a trailer
is towed, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and do
not make starts at full throttle. This helps the engine
and other parts of the vehicle wear in at the heavier
loads.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 559

WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to a collision. Follow these
guidelines to make your trailer towing as safe as
possible:
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and 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 a collision.
• When 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, sus-
pension, chassis structure or tires.
• Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the
hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the chains
under the trailer tongue and allow enough slack for
turning corners.
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. When parking, apply the parking brake on the
tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle transmission in
PARK. For four-wheel drive vehicles, make sure the
transfer case is not in NEUTRAL (N). Always block
or chock the trailer wheels.
• GCWR must not be exceeded.
• 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.
560 STARTING AND OPERATING

Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability
For Information about snowplow applications visit
www.ramtrucks.com or refer to the current Body Builders
Guide.
1. The maximum number of occupants in the truck shouldnot 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 sys-
tem, all aftermarket accessories, driver, passengers, op-
tions, 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
Certification Label on the driver’s side door opening.
NOTE: Detach the snowplow when transporting passen-
gers. Vehicle front end wheel alignment was set to specifications
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.
Maintain and operate your vehicle and snowplow equip-
ment following the recommendations provided by the
specific snowplow manufacturer.
Over The Road Operation With Snowplow Attached
The blade restricts air flow to the radiator and causes the
engine to operate at higher than normal temperatures.
Therefore, when transporting the plow, angle the blade
completely and position it as low as road or surface
conditions permit. Do not exceed 40 mph (64 km/h). The
operator should always maintain a safe stopping distance
and allow adequate passing clearance.
570 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!
Do not use silicon-based protection products to clean
your bedliner. Silicon-based products can become slip-
pery and may result in personal injury.
Spray-On Bedliners are chemically-resistant to many dif-
ferent types of chemicals (including gasoline, oil, hydraulic
fluids) for short periods of time. If a spill occurs on your
Spray-On Bedliner, rinse the truck out as soon as possible
to avoid permanent damage.
Repairing The Spray-On Bedliner
While extremely tough, it is possible to damage a Spray-On
Bedliner. One common condition is when loading a heavy
pallet and dragging that pallet across the floor of the bed.
If a nail or sharp point is exposed under the weight of the
pallet a scratch or tear is possible. While not covered by
your new vehicle warranty, a cosmetic fix to cover the
metal exposed by the scratch is required. To repair a tear or
gouge, follow the directions provided in the MOPAR Quick
Repair Kit.
FUSES
WARNING!
• When replacing a blown fuse, always use an appro-
priate replacement fuse with the same amp rating as
the original fuse. Never replace a fuse with another
fuse of higher amp rating. Never replace a blown
fuse with metal wires or any other material. Failure
to use proper fuses may result in serious personal
injury, fire and/or property damage.
• Before replacing a fuse, make sure that the ignition is
off and that all the other services are switched off
and/or disengaged.
• If the replaced fuse blows again, contact an autho-
rized dealer.
• If a general protection fuse for safety systems (air
bag system, braking system), power unit systems
(engine system, gearbox system) or steering system
blows, contact an authorized dealer.
7
MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 679

Fuel, Flexible............................. .545
Fuses .................................. .679
Garage Door Opener (HomeLink) ............175, 180
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) .................549, 637
Gasoline, Clean Air ........................ .542
Gasoline (Fuel) ........................... .541
Gasoline, Reformulated ..................... .542
Gear Ranges .......................... .396, 405
Gear Select Lever Override ....................623
General Information ........................ .540
Glass Cleaning ........................... .677
Grocery Bag Retainer ....................... .200
Gross Axle Weight Rating .....................552
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................551
Guide, Body Builders .........................6
GVWR ................................. .550
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, Or
Shallow Standing Water ....................472
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................... .580
Headlights .............................. .690
Automatic ............................ .139
Cleaning .............................. .677High Beam
............................ .147
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...........147
Passing ............................... .147
Switch ............................... .139
Head Restraints ........................... .129
Heated Mirrors .........................115,200
Heater ................................. .330
Heater, Engine Block ....................... .385
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch .....147
Hill Descent Control ....................... .505
Hill Descent Control Indicator .................505
Hill Start Assist ........................... .498
Hitches Trailer Towing .......................... .558
Hoisting ................................ .618
HomeLink

(Garage Door Opener) ...............175
Hood Release ............................ .136
Hub Caps ............................... .617
Ignition ..................................15
Key.................................11,15
Ignition Key Removal ........................15
Illuminated Entry ...........................21
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ......................17
Inside Rearview Mirror ...................104, 110
10
INDEX 721

SteeringPower ......................... .490, 491, 492
Wheel, Heated ......................... .151
Wheel, Tilt ............................ .150
Steering Wheel Audio Controls .................327
Steering Wheel Mounted Sound System Controls . . . .327
Storage Compartment, Center Seat ..............195
Storage, Vehicle ....................... .346, 688
Storing Your Vehicle ....................... .688
Sun Roof ............................... .182
Suspension, Air ....................... .438, 444
Sway Control, Trailer ....................... .504
Synthetic Engine Oil ....................... .642
System, Remote Starting ......................29
Tailgate ................................ .220
Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC) ...........345
Tilt Down .................................119
Up ...................................119
Tilt Steering Column ....................... .150
Tip Start ................................ .382
Tire And Loading Information Placard ........513, 514
Tire Markings ............................ .508
Tires.......................... .98, 518, 523, 533Aging (Life Of Tires)
..................... .526
Air Pressure ........................ .513, 518
Chains ............................... .528
Compact Spare ......................... .523
Dual ............................. .532, 581
General Information ...................518, 523
High Speed ............................ .520
Inflation Pressures ....................... .519
Life Of Tires ........................... .526
Load Capacity ...................... .513, 515
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) .............535
Pressure Warning Light ....................252
Quality Grading ........................ .533
Radial ............................... .520
Replacement ........................... .527
Rotation .............................. .530
Safety ............................ .508,

518
Sizes ................................ .509
Snow Tires ............................ .522
Spare Tire ...................... .523, 524, 525
Spinning .............................. .525
Tread Wear Indicators .....................526
Tire Safety Information ...................... .508
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .................559
Tonneau Cover ........................... .678
728 INDEX