2020 Ram 1500 weight

STARTING AND OPERATING 409

If equipped, the electronic TSC recognizes a swaying trailer
and automatically applies individual wheel brakes and/or
reduces engine power to attempt to eliminate the trailer sway.

Weight-Carrying Hitch
A weight-carrying hitch supports the trailer tongue weight,
just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or some other
connecting point of the vehicle. These kinds of hitches are the
most popular on the market today and they are commonly
used to tow small and medium sized trailers.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
A weight-distributing system works by applying leverage
through spring (load) bars. They are typically used for
heavier loads to distribute trailer tongue weight to the tow
vehicle's front axle and the trailer axle(s). When used in
accordance with the manufacturer's directions, it provides
for a more level ride, offering more consistent steering and
brake control, thereby enhancing towing safety. The addi-
tion of a friction/hydraulic sway control also dampens sway
caused by traffic and crosswinds and contributes positively
to tow vehicle and trailer stability. Trailer sway control and
a weight distributing (load equalizing) hitch are recom -
mended for heavier Tongue Weights (TW) and may be
required depending on vehicle and trailer configuration/
loading to comply with GAWR requirements. Without Weight-Distributing Hitch (Incorrect)WARNING!
• An improperly adjusted weight distributing hitch system may reduce handling, stability and braking
performance and could result in a collision.
• Weight distributing systems may not be compatible with surge brake couplers. Consult with your hitch and
trailer manufacturer or a reputable Recreational
Vehicle dealer for additional information.
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410 STARTING AND OPERATING
With Weight-Distributing Hitch (Correct)
Improper Adjustment Of Weight-Distributing Hitch (Incorrect) Recommended Distribution Hitch Adjustment
Towing With 1500 Air Suspension
1. Set air suspension to normal ride height. No action is
required if already in normal ride height.
NOTE:
The vehicle must remain in the engine run position with all
doors closed while attaching a trailer for proper leveling of
the air suspension system.
2. Position the truck to be ready to connect to the trailer (do not connect the trailer).
3. Under the instrument cluster or touch screen radio settings, enable tire jack mode. Tire jack mode will be
canceled and procedure must be restarted if the vehicle is
driven at speeds above 5mph (8 kmh).
4. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening on the fender to ground, this is height H1.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 411
Measuring Height (H)
5. Attach the trailer to the vehicle without the weight distri -
bution bars connected.
6. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening on the fender to ground, this is height H2.
7. 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)/
3+H1 (about 1/3 the difference between H2 and H1 above
normal ride height [H1]). 8. Use the instrument cluster or touch screen radio settings
and switch off tire jack mode. Make sure the truck returns
to normal ride height. Preform a visual inspection of the
trailer and weight distributing hitch to confirm manufac -
turers’ recommendations have been met.
9. The truck can now be driven.
NOTE:
For all towing conditions, we recommend towing with tow
haul mode engaged.
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.
Measurement Example Example 1500 Height (mm) H1 925
H2 946
H2-H1 21
(H2-H1)/3 7
(H2-H1)/3 + H1 932
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412 STARTING AND OPERATING
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on your
vehicle.
Class III Bumper Hitch Access
Remove the cap with a trim stick or screw driver to access the
Class III hitch attachment.
NOTE:
Be careful not to scratch the bumper step pad.Class III Bumper Hitch Access
Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer Weight
Hitch 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 12,750 lbs (5,783 kg) / 1,275 lbs (578 kg)
Refer to the “Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)” for the Maximum Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
towable for your given drivetrain.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 413
(Continued)
Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)
NOTE:
For trailer towing information (maximum trailer weight
ratings) refer to the following website addresses:
•ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/
• ramtruck.ca (Canada)
• rambodybuilder.com
Trailer And Tongue Weight
Weight Distribution 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 considered as
part of the total load on your vehicle. Refer to the “Tire And
Loading Information” placard for the maximum combined
weight of occupants and cargo for your vehicle.
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.
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414 STARTING AND OPERATING
(Continued)
Perform the maintenance listed in the “Scheduled
Servicing”. Refer to “Scheduled Servicing” in “Servicing
And Maintenance” for the proper maintenance intervals.
When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR or GCWR
ratings.• 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.
WARNING!
• 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, suspension, chassis
structure or tires. CAUTION!
(Continued)
• 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.
• 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. 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:
• GVWR
• GTW
• GAWR
• Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized.
WARNING! (Continued)
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522 SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
Example Tire Placard Location (B-Pillar)
Tire And Loading Information Placard
Tire And Loading Information Placard This placard tells you important information about the:
1. Number of people that can be carried in the vehicle.
2. Total weight your vehicle can carry.
3. Tire size designed for your vehicle.
4. Cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, and spare
tires.
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 pres -
sures specified on the Tire and Loading Information placard
in “Vehicle Loading” in the “Starting And Operating”
section of this manual.
NOTE:
Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition, gross axle
weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear axles must not
be exceeded.
For further information on GAWRs, vehicle loading, and
trailer towing, refer to “Vehicle Loading” in the “Starting
And Operating” section of this manual.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE 523
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of occu-
pants 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 refer-
enced 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 passen -
gers that will be riding in your vehicle.
(3) Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passen -
gers 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.)
(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 calcu-
lated 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 avail
-
able 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.
• For the following example, the combined weight of occu -
pants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs (392 kg).
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