2020 Ram 3500 ground clearance

264STARTING AND OPERATING
Crossing A Ravine, Gully, Ditch, Washout
Or Rut
When crossing a ravine, gully, ditch, washout or
a large rut, the angled approach is the key to
maintaining your vehicle's mobility. Approach
these obstacles at a 45-degree angle and let
each tire go through the obstacle
independently. You need to use caution when
crossing large obstacles with steep sides. Do
not attempt to cross any large obstacle with
steep sides at an angle great enough to put the
vehicle at risk of a rollover. If you get caught in
a rut, dig a small trench to the right or left at a
45-degree angle ahead of the front tires. Use
the removed dirt to fill the rut ahead of the
turnout you just created. You should now be
able to drive out following the trench you just
created at a 45-degree angle.
Crossing Logs
To cross a log, approach it at a slight angle
(approximately 10 to 15 degrees). This allows
one front tire to be on top of the log while the
other just starts to climb the log. While climbing
the log, modulate your brake and accelerator to
avoid spinning the log out from under your tires.
Then ease the vehicle off the log using your
brakes.
Getting High Centered
If you get hung up or high centered on an object,
get out of the vehicle and try to determine what
the vehicle is hung up on, where it is contacting
the underbody and what is the best direction to
recover the vehicle. Depending on what you are
in contact with, jack the vehicle up and place a
few rocks under the tires so the weight is off of
the high point when you let the vehicle down.
You can also try rocking the vehicle or winching
the vehicle off the object.
HILL CLIMBING
Hill climbing requires good judgment and a
good understanding of your abilities and your
vehicle's limitations. Hills can cause serious
problems. Some are just too steep to climb and
should not be attempted. You should always
feel confident with the vehicle and your abilities.
You should always climb hills straight up and
down. Never attempt to climb a hill on an angle.
Before Climbing A Steep Hill – As you
approach a hill consider its grade or steep -
ness. Determine if it is too steep. Look to see
what the traction is on the hill side trail. Is the
trail straight up and down? What is on top
and the other side? Are there ruts, rocks,
branches or other obstacles on the path?
Can you safely recover the vehicle if some -
thing goes wrong? If everything looks good
and you feel confident, then change trans-
mission into a lower gear, shift the transfer
WARNING!
There is an increased risk of rollover when
crossing an obstacle, at any angle, with steep
sides.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to cross a log with a greater
diameter than the running ground clearance
or the vehicle will become high centered.
CAUTION!
Winching or rocking the vehicle off hard
objects increases the risk of underbody
damage.

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STARTING AND OPERATING267
Crossing Puddles, Pools, Flooded Areas Or
Other Standing Water – Puddles, pools,
flooded or other standing water areas
normally contain murky or muddy waters.
These water types normally contain hidden
obstacles and make it difficult to determine
an accurate water depth, approach angle,
and bottom condition. Murky or muddy water
holes are where you want to hook up tow
straps prior to entering. This makes for a
faster, cleaner and easier vehicle recovery. If
you are able to determine you can safely
cross, than proceed using the low and slow
method.
Crossing Ditches, Streams, Shallow Rivers Or
Other Flowing Water – Flowing water can be
extremely dangerous. Never attempt to cross
a fast running stream or river even in shallow
water. Fast moving water can easily push
your vehicle downstream sweeping it out of
control. Even in very shallow water, a high
current can still wash the dirt out from around your tires putting you and your vehicle
in jeopardy. There is still a high risk of
personal injury and vehicle damage with
slower water currents in depths greater than
the vehicle's running ground clearance. You
should never attempt to cross flowing water
which is deeper than the vehicle's running
ground clearance. Even the slowest current
can push the heaviest vehicle downstream
out of control if the water is deep enough to
push on the large surface area of the
vehicle's body. Before you proceed deter
-
mine the speed of the current, the water's
depth, approach angle, bottom condition and
if there are any obstacles, then cross at an
angle heading slightly upstream using the
low and slow technique.
AIRING DOWN FOR OFF-ROAD DRIVING

Running lower tire pressure off-road can improve
your ride comfort and vehicle traction. Reducing
the tire air pressure allows the tire to bulge
slightly, improving its surface area for better
flotation and ability to mold or form to the ground
contour. Different terrain, tires, and vehicles
require different tire pressure. Hard surfaces like
rock and heavier vehicles require higher
pressures than softer surfaces such as sand and
lighter vehicles. You will need to experiment to
determine what is right for your situation. It is
easier and faster to let air out than it is to replace
it. Start high and lower it as required. Remember
you must return the tires to normal air pressure
before driving on road or at highway conditions.
Be sure you have a way to return the tires to their
normal on road air pressure.

CAUTION!
Muddy waters can reduce the cooling system
effectiveness by depositing debris onto the
radiator.
WARNING!
Never drive through fast moving deep water. It
can push your vehicle downstream, sweeping
it out of control. This could put you and your
passengers at risk of injury or drowning.CAUTION!
Reduced tire pressure increases the risk of
tire damage and may cause tire unseating
with total loss of air pressure. To reduce the
risk of tire unseating, while at a reduced tire
pressure, drive at slower speeds and avoid
sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY367
REMOVING THE SPARE TIRE

1. Remove the spare tire before attempting to
jack up the truck. Attach the lug wrench to
the extension tubes with the curved angle
facing away from the vehicle. Insert the
extension tube through the access hole
between the lower tailgate and the top of the
bumper and into the winch mechanism tube.
Winch Mechanism Tube Inserting The Extension Tubes Into The Access Hole

2. Rotate the lug wrench handle counter -
clockwise until the spare tire is on the
ground with enough cable slack to allow you
to pull it out from under the vehicle.

Rotating The Lug Wrench Handle
3. Pull the spare tire out from under the vehicle to gain access to the spare tire retainer.
4. Lift the spare tire with one hand to give
clearance to tilt the retainer at the end of
the cable.

Gaining Access To The Retainer

5. Pull the retainer through the center of the wheel.

Pulling The Retainer Through The Center Of The Wheel

WARNING!
After using the jack and tools, always reinstall
them in the original carrier and location.
While driving you may experience abrupt
stopping, rapid acceleration or sharp turns. A
loose jack, tools, bracket or other objects in
the vehicle may move around with force,
resulting in serious injury.
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372IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
6. Finish tightening the lug nuts. Push down on
the lug wrench while at the end of the
handle for increased leverage. Tighten the
lug nuts in a star pattern until each nut has
been tightened twice. For the correct lug nut
torque refer to “Wheel And Tire Torque
Specifications” in “Technical Specifi -
cations”. If in doubt about the correct
tightness, have them checked with a torque
wrench by an authorized dealer or service
station.
7. Install the wheel center cap and remove the wheel blocks. Do not install chrome or
aluminum wheel center caps on the spare
wheel. This may result in cap damage. 8. Lower the jack to its fully closed position.
Stow the replaced tire, jack, and tools as
previously described.
NOTE:
The bottle jack will not lower by turning the dial
(thumbwheel) by hand, it may be necessary to
use the jack driver in order to lower the jack.
9. Adjust the tire pressure when possible.
NOTE:
Do not oil wheel studs. For chrome wheels, do
not substitute with chrome plated lug nuts.
TO STOW THE FLAT OR SPARE
NOTE:
Have the flat tire repaired or replaced immedi -
ately.

1. Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is facing the ground and toward the rear of
the vehicle for convenience in checking the
spare tire inflation. Slide the wheel retainer
through the center of the wheel.

Reinstalling The Retainer

2. Lift the spare tire with one hand to give clearance to tilt the retainer at the end of
the cable and position it properly across the
wheel opening.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a
collision or hard stop, could endanger the
occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack
parts and the spare tire in the places
provided.
WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a
collision or hard stop could endanger the
occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack
parts and the spare tire in the places
provided. Have the deflated (flat) tire repaired
or replaced immediately.

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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE441
SPARE TIRES — IF EQUIPPED
Refer to the “Towing Requirements - Tires” in
“Starting And Operating” for restrictions when
towing with a spare tire designated for
temporary emergency use.
Spare Tire Matching Original Equipped Tire
And Wheel — If Equipped
Your vehicle may be equipped with a spare tire
and wheel equivalent in look and function to the
original equipment tire and wheel found on the
front or rear axle of your vehicle. This spare tire
may be used in the tire rotation for your vehicle.
If your vehicle has this option, refer to an
authorized tire dealer for the recommended tire
rotation pattern.
Compact Spare Tire — If Equipped
The compact spare is for temporary emergency
use only. You can identify if your vehicle is
equipped with a compact spare by looking at
the spare tire description on the Tire and
Loading Information Placard located on the
driver’s side door opening or on the sidewall of
the tire. Compact spare tire descriptions begin
with the letter “T” or “S” preceding the size
designation. Example: T145/80D18 103M.
T, S = Temporary Spare Tire
Since this tire has limited tread life, the original
equipment tire should be repaired (or replaced)
and reinstalled on your vehicle at the first
opportunity.
Do not install a wheel cover or attempt to mount
a conventional tire on the compact spare wheel,
since the wheel is designed specifically for the
compact spare tire. Do not install more than
one compact spare tire and wheel on the
vehicle at any given time.
Collapsible Spare Tire — If Equipped
The collapsible spare is for temporary
emergency use only. You can identify if your
vehicle is equipped with a collapsible spare by
looking at the spare tire description on the Tire
and Loading Information Placard located on the
driver’s side door opening or on the sidewall of
the tire.
Collapsible spare tire description example:
165/80-17 101P.
CAUTION!
Because of the reduced ground clearance, do
not take your vehicle through an automatic
car wash with a compact or limited use
temporary spare installed. Damage to the
vehicle may result.
WARNING!
Compact and collapsible spares are for
temporary emergency use only. With these
spares, do not drive more than 50 mph
(80 km/h). Temporary use spares have
limited tread life. When the tread is worn to
the tread wear indicators, the temporary use
spare tire needs to be replaced. Be sure to
follow the warnings, which apply to your
spare. Failure to do so could result in spare
tire failure and loss of vehicle control.
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