weight Ram 3500 Chassis Cab 2016 Owner's Guide
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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.
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 Classification
The following chart provides the industry standard for
the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can
tow and should be used to assist you in selecting the
correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition.
Improper Adjustment Of Weight-Distributing Hitch(Incorrect)
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Trailer Hitch Classification DefinitionsClass Max. Trailer Hitch
Industry Standards
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Class II - Medium Duty 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2 267 kg)
Class IV - Extra Heavy
Duty 10,000 lbs (4 535 kg)
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Greater than 10,000 lbs (4 535 kg)
Refer to the “Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings)” for the Maximum Gross
Trailer Weight (GTW) towable for your given
drivetrain.
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed
on your vehicle.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
Always load a trailer with 60% of the weight in the front
of the trailer. This places 10% of the GTW on the tow
hitch of your vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels or
heavier in the rear can cause the trailer to sway severely
side to side which will cause loss of control of the vehicle
and trailer. Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the
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cause of many trailer collisions. Never exceed the maxi-
mum tongue weight stamped on your trailer hitch.
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 “Tire Safety Information/Tire and Loading In-
formation Placard” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drive-
train components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
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WARNING!(Continued)
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 orchockthe 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 uti-
lized.
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.
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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 Com-
pliance Certification 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. 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.
Operating Tips
Under ideal snow plowing conditions, 20 mph (32 km/h)
should be maximum operating speed. The operator
should be familiar with the area and surface to be
cleaned. Reduce speed and use extreme caution when
plowing unfamiliar areas or under poor visibility.
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Fluid Level ChecksAutomatic Transmission ..................594
Brake ............................... .590
Power Steering ........................ .434
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts ...........622
Fog Lights ....................... .163, 257, 617
Four-Way Hazard Flasher ...................532
Four Wheel Drive ........................ .419
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle .....................549
Front Axle (Differential) .....................591
Fuel .................................. .494
Adding ............................. .498
Additives ............................ .496
Clean Air ............................ .494
Ethanol ............................. .495
Filler Cap (Gas Cap) .....................499
Filter ............................... .622
Gasoline ............................. .494
Light ............................... .254Materials Added
....................... .496
Methanol ............................ .495
Octane Rating ......................... .494
Requirements ......................... .494
Tank Capacity ......................... .621
Fuses ................................. .603
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap) ................499, 560
Gasoline, Clean Air ....................... .494
Gasoline (Fuel) .......................... .494
Gasoline, Reformulated .....................494
Gear Ranges ............................ .405
Gear Select Lever Override ..................551
Glass Cleaning .......................... .602
Grocery Bag Retainer ...................... .222
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...................503
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ..................502
Guide,
Body Builders ........................6
652 INDEX
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Tilt Steering Column...................... .174
Tip Start ............................... .399
Tire And Loading Information Placard . . . .462, 463, 480
Tire Markings ........................... .455
Tires .....................117, 467, 473, 474, 641
Aging (Life Of Tires) .....................477
Air Pressure .......................... .467
Chains .............................. .480
Compact Spare ........................ .474
Dual ......................... .483, 533, 543
General Information ...............467, 473, 474
High Speed .......................... .470
Inflation Pressures ...................... .468
Life Of Tires .......................... .477
Load Capacity ..................... .462, 463
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ............484
Pressure Warning Light ...................252
Quality Grading ....................... .641
Radial .............................. .471Replacement
.......................... .478
Rotation ............................. .482
Safety ........................... .455, 467
Sizes ............................... .457
Snow Tires ........................... .472
Spare Tire ..................... .473, 474, 475
Spinning ............................ .476
Tread Wear Indicators ....................477
Wheel Nut Torque ..................... .541
Tire Safety Information .....................455
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight ................508
Torque Converter Clutch ....................415
Tow Hooks, Emergency .....................551
Towing ............................ .502, 552
Disabled Vehicle ....................... .552
Guide .............................. .508
Recr
eational .......................... .523
Weight .............................. .508
Towing Vehicle Behind A Motorhome ...........523
662 INDEX
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Traction............................... .430
Traction Control ......................... .445
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ..................451
Trailer Towing .......................... .502
Cooling System Tips .....................519
Hitches ............................. .507
Minimum Requirements ..................509
Mirrors ............................. .137
Trailer And Tongue Weight ................508
Wiring .............................. .517
Trailer Towing Guide ...................... .508
Trailer Weight ........................... .508
Transfer Case ........................... .593
Electronically Shifted .....................423
Fluid ............................... .624
Transmission ........................... .593
Automatic ........................ .404, 593
Fluid ............................... .624
Shifting ............................. .401Transmitter Battery Service (Remote Keyless Entry) . .29
Transmitter Programming (Remote Keyless Entry) . . .24
Transmitter, Remote Keyless Entry (RKE)
.........24
Transporting Pets .........................112
Tread Wear Indicators ..................... .477
Turn Signals ..................... .168, 263, 615
Uconnect Customer Programmable Features ........317, 335
Operation ............................ .339
Uconnect Settings ...................... .307
Uconnect Settings ....................317, 335
Uconnect 8.4A/8.4AN Voice Recognition Additional Information ...................390
Do Not Disturb ....................... .389
General Information .....................390
Siri Eyes Free ......................... .389
Uconnect 8.4 Settings Customer Programmable Features — Units .....326
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INDEX 663