Ram 1500 2013 Owner's Manual

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 Hitch Max. Trailer Weight
Class III Bumper
Hitch - 1500 Model 5,000 lbs (2268 kg)
Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer Weight
Class IV - 1500
Model 11,000 lbs (4989 kg)
Class V - 2500/3500
Models 17,000 lbs (7711 kg)
Fifth Wheel - 2500/
3500 Models 25,000 lbs (11339 kg)
Gooseneck - 2500
Model 20,000 lbs (9071 kg)
Gooseneck - 3500
Model 35,000 lbs (15875 kg)
Refer to the “Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum
Trailer Weight Ratings)” for the Maximum Gross
Trailer Weight (GTW) towable for your given drive- train.
All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on
your vehicle.
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Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)
The rear bumper is intended to tow trailers up to a 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) without added equipment or alterations to
the standard equipment.
Ram 1500 4x2
STSLT/OutdoorsmanSport/Laramie
3.6L V-6
8–Speed
Automatic
Transmission Standard Towing: 5,000 lbs
(2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 6,500 lbs (2 948 kg)
Max Payload: 1,910 lbs (866 kg) Standard Towing: 5,000 lbs
(2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 6,500 lbs (2 948 kg)
Max Payload: 1,890 lbs (857 kg) –
4.7L V-8
6–Speed
Automatic
Transmission Standard Towing: 5,000 lbs
(2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 7,700 lbs (3 492 kg)
Max Payload: 1,750 lbs (793 kg) Standard Towing: 5,000 lbs
(2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 7,700 lbs (3 492 kg)
Max Payload: 1,720 lbs (780 kg) –
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STSLT/OutdoorsmanSport/Laramie
5.7L HEMI®
V-8 6–Speed
Automatic
Transmission Standard Towing: 5,000 lbs
(2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,450 lbs
(4 740 kg)
Max Payload: 1,710 lbs (775 kg) Standard Towing: 5,000 lbs
(2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,450 lbs
(4 740 kg)
Max Payload: 1,690 lbs (766 kg)Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,300 lbs
(4 672 kg)
Max Payload: 1,550 lbs
(703 kg)
Ram 1500 4x4
ST
SLT/OutdoorsmanSport/Laramie
3.6L V-6
8–Speed
Automatic
Transmission Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 6,300 lbs
(2 857 kg)
Max Payload: 1,930 lbs (875 kg) Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 6,250 lbs
(2 834 kg)
Max Payload: 1,900 lbs (861 kg) –5
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STSLT/OutdoorsmanSport/Laramie
4.7L V-8
6–Speed
Automatic
Transmission Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 7,500 lbs
(3 401 kg)
Max Payload: 1,570 lbs (712 kg) Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 7,450 lbs
(3 379 kg)
Max Payload: 1,530 lbs (694 kg) –
5.7L HEMI® V-8 6–Speed Automatic
Transmission Standard Towing: 5,000 lbs
(2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,350 lbs (4 694 kg)
Max Payload: 1,480 lbs (671 kg) Standard Towing: 5,000 lbs
(2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,300 lbs (4 672 kg)
Max Payload: 1,450 lbs (657 kg) Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,050 lbs (4 558 kg)
Max Payload: 1,380 lbs (625 kg)
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Ram 2500 And 3500
STSLT/Outdoorsman/Sport Laramie
5.7L HEMI®
V-8 6–Speed
Automatic
Transmission Max Towing: 10,100 lbs
(4 581 kg)
Max Payload: 1,780 lbs (807 kg)
Max Towing: 12,300 lbs
(5 579 kg)
Max Payload: 3,120 lbs
(1 415 kg) –
NOTE: For additional trailer towing information (maxi-
mum trailer weight ratings) refer to the following website
addresses:
• http://www.ramtrucks.com
• http://www.ramtruck.ca (Canada)
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Trailer And Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% 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
severelyside to side which will cause loss of control of
the vehicle and trailer. Failure to load trailers heavier in
front is the cause of many trailer collisions. Never exceed
the maximum 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.
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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 fur-
ther information.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drive-
train components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
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.
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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 dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis structure or tires.
(Continued)
WARNING! (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 chockthe trailer wheels.
• GCWR must not be exceeded.
(Continued)
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WARNING!(Continued)
•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. Trailer tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch
utilized .
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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Towing Requirements – Trailer Brakes
•Do not interconnect 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 electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with
a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
• Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
1,653 lbs (750 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
WARNING!
• Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s
hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your brake
system and cause it to fail. You might not have
brakes when you need them and could have an
accident.
(Continued)
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