trailer DODGE RAM 2500 DIESEL 2004 3.G User Guide

NTrailer Towing Ð Hitches...............275
NConnecting Trailer Lighting And Electric
Trailer Brakes........................276
NTrailer Weight And Trailer Tongue Weight....278
NTrailer Towing Information
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings).........279
NTrailer Towing Mirrors Ð If Equipped......279
NCooling System Tips Ð Trailer Towing......280
NAutomatic Transmission Oil Temperature
Warning Light.......................281
NTowing With An Automatic Transmission....281
mSnowplow............................282
NBefore Plowing.......................283
NSnowplow Prep Package Model Availability . . 283NOver The Road Operation With Snowplow
Attached...........................284
NMethods For Removing Snow............284
NOperating Tips.......................284
NGeneral Maintenance...................285
mRecreational Towing Ð 4±Wheel Drive Vehicles
(Behind Motorhome, Etc.).................286
NRecreational Towing Procedure Ð Manual
Shift Transfer Case Ð If Equipped.........286
NReturning To Normal Operation Ð Manual
Shift Transfer Case....................287
NRecreational Towing Procedure Ð Electronic
Shift Transfer Case Ð If Equipped.........288
NReturning To Normal Operation Ð Electronic
Shift Transfer Case....................290
202 STARTING AND OPERATING

²the engine coolant has reached normal operating tem-
perature;
²vehicle speed is above approximately 30 mph (48
km/h);
²the ªTOW/HAULº switch has not been activated;
²transmission has reached normal operating tempera-
ture.
The transmission will downshift from Overdrive to Drive
if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed at vehicle
speeds above approximately 35 mph (56 km/h).
Overdrive can be locked out by pressing the ªTOW/
HAULº button located on the selector lever. The ªTOW/
HAULº light will illuminate in the instrument cluster to
indicate that the switch has been activated. Pressing the
switch a second time restores the Overdrive function. If
the ªTOW/HAULº feature is desired, theªTOW/HAULº
button must be pressed each time the engine is started.NOTE:If the vehicle is started in extremely cold tem-
peratures, the transmission may not shift into Overdrive
and will automatically select the most desirable gear for
operation at this temperature. Normal operation will
resume when the transmission fluid temperature has
risen to a suitable temperature. Refer also to the Note
under torque converter clutch, later in this section.
If the transmission temperature gets extremely hot, the
transmission will automatically select the most desirable
gear for operation at this temperature. If the transmission
temperature becomes hot enough the ªTOW/HAULº
and/or TRANS TEMP light(s) may illuminate and the
transmission may downshift out of Overdrive until the
transmission cools down. After cooldown, the transmis-
sion will resume normal operation.
When To Lock Out Overdrive
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent 4±3±4 transmission shifting
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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 and the Vehicle Loading section of
this manual.
NOTE:Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWR's) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWR's, vehicle loading and trailer towing, see the
Vehicle Loading section of this manual.
To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement ªThe combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX
lbs.º on the Tire and Loading Information placard. Thecombined 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 ªThe combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX poundsº 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 pas-
sengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if ªXXXº
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 lb. (1400±750 (5 x 150) =
650 lb.)
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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.NOTE: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 illustra-
tion purposes only and may not be accurate for the
seating and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
NOTE:For the following example the combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs. (392
Kg).
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TRAILER TOWING
All Dodge Ram Pickup trucks are intended to tow trailers
up to 2,000 lbs (907 kg) without added equipment or
alterations to standard equipment. Your vehicle may be
factory equipped for safe towing of trailers weighing
over 2,000 lbs (907 kg) with the optional Trailer Tow Prep
Package. See your Dodge dealer for package content.
To Maintain Warranty Coverage
Follow the requirements and recommendations in this
manual concerning vehicles used for trailer towing.
Definitions
The following trailer towing related terminology defini-
tions will assist in understanding the subsequent sec-
tions:
GROSS COMBINATION WEIGHT RATING (GCWR)
is the total permissible weight of your vehicle and trailer
when weighed in combination. (Note that GCWR ratingsinclude a 68 kg (150 lb.) allowance for the presence of a
driver.) Tongue Weight (of a trailer) is the weight placed
on a vehicle's trailer hitch by the trailer.
GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT (GTW)is the weight of the
trailer plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and
equipment (permanent or temporary) loaded in or on the
trailer in its9loaded and ready for operation9condition.
TRAILER SWAY CONTROLis a telescoping link that
can be installed between the hitch receiver and the trailer
tongue that typically provides adjustable friction associ-
ated with the telescoping motion to dampen any un-
wanted trailer swaying motions while traveling.
272 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
²During the first 500 miles (805 km) your new
vehicle is driven, do not tow a trailer. Doing so
may damage your vehicle.
²When first towing a trailer, limit your speed to 50
mph (80 km/h) during the first 500 miles (805 km)
of towing.
Perform the maintenance listed in the ªMaintenance
Schedulesº section of this manual (Section 8). When
towing a trailer, never exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR), or Gross Combined Vehicle Weight
(GCVW).
CAUTION!
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, body structure or tires.
Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle:
²the tongue weight of the trailer
²the weight of any other type of cargo or equipment put
in or on your vehicle
²the weight of passenger's and driver
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,
STARTING AND OPERATING 273
5

must be considered as part of the total load on your
vehicle. Refer to the Certification label located at the
driver's door for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer towing
as safe as possible:
Axle Lubricant and Trailer Towing
2500/3500 Models
²
The Axles on 2500/3500 Modelsare trailer tow ready
andDO NOT REQUIREany special axle lubes or
additives.
Trailer Towing Recommendations
²
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
²Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer.
²Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the trailer.
This could cause inadequate braking and possible
personal injury. An electrically±actuated electric trailer
brake controller is recommended.
²Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1000
lbs (454 kg) and are required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg)
274 STARTING AND OPERATING

²Use an approved wiring harness connector on the
trailer. Standard equipment on all RAM pickup mod-
els provides a 4-way trailer tow connector located
under the bumper. This connector contains the follow-
ing vehicle circuits: park/tail lamps, left stop/turn
lamp, right stop/turn lamp, and ground. With the
optional Trailer Tow Prep package a 7-way connector
is provided with the following additional circuits:
backup lamp, trailer battery and electric brake.
NOTE:Connect trailer lighting and brakes using factory
harnesses only. Do not cut or splice wiring to the brake
circuits.
²Be sure the trailer is loaded heavier in front, with 60%
to 65% of the weight in front of the axle(s). 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 vehicle and trailer. Failureto load trailers heavier in front is the cause of many
trailer accidents. (For a95th Wheel9style trailer, this
range of loading on the9King Pin9should be between
15% and 25%.)
²Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer and
will not shift during travel. When towing cargo such
as livestock, dynamic load shifts can occur that require
the driver to maintain attention.
Trailer Towing Ð Hitches
With a Class I Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to tow
trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 2,000 lbs
(907 kg) maximum.
With a Class II Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to
tow trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 3,500
lbs (1 587 kg) maximum. Tongue weight must be equal to
at least 10% of GTW, but no more than 15% of GTW.
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5

With a Class III Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to
tow trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 5,000
lbs (2 268 kg) maximum. Factory-installed rear step
bumpers are rated a Class III hitch. Tongue weight must
be equal to at least 10% of the gross trailer weight (GTW),
but no more than 15% of the GTW.
A frame mounted hitch of up to Class IV rating, as rated
by the hitch manufacturer, is supplied as part of the
trailer tow prep package. With a Class IV Hitch, you can
tow a trailer with a Gross Trailer Weight of up to 12,000
lbs (5 443 kg) maximum depending on your vehicle
equipment. Tongue weight must be equal to at least 10%
of the gross trailer weight (GTW), but no more than 15%
of the GTW.Connecting Trailer Lighting And Electric Trailer
Brakes
NOTE:A 4-way trailer tow connector, located behind
the bumper, is standard equipment on all Ram pickup
models. This connector contains the following vehicle
circuits: park/tail lamps, left stop/turn lamp, right stop/
turn lamp, and ground. With the optional Trailer Tow
Prep package a 7-way connector is also provided with the
following additional circuits: backup lamp, trailer battery
and electric brake.
NOTE:There is also a 4±way connector located under
the instrument panel, located to the left of the brake
pedal that is used for the electric brake. This connector
contains the following vehicle circuits; power ground,
battery, stop lamp switch and electric brake feed. The
4±way is optional with the trailer tow prep package.
276 STARTING AND OPERATING

CAUTION!
Adding lights or electrical devices to the headlamp/
park lamp circuit can be accomplished by connecting
to the standard 4-way trailer tow connector located
behind the rear bumper. The maximum current ca-
pacity for the park lamp circuit should not exceed 15
amps total (a typical park lamp bulb can draw from
0.5 to 1.0 amperes of current).
No connections can be made to the headlamp switch
itself, because it is not designed for high current
applications. Connections to the headlamp switch
will cause the exterior lights to malfunction.
CAUTION!
Connect trailer lighting and brakes using factory
harnesses only. Do not cut or splice wiring to the
brake circuits. Use an approved wiring harness con-
nector on the trailer.
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