Flat towing Ram 1500 2016 User Guide

RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND MOTORHOME, ETC.)
Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle
Towing Condition Wheels OFF
The GroundTwo-Wheel
Drive ModelsFour-Wheel Drive Models
Flat Tow NONENOT AL-
LOWEDSee Instructions
•Automatic transmission in PARK
•Manual transmission in gear (NOT in NEU-
TRAL)
•Transfer case in NEUTRAL (N)
•Tow in forward direction
Dolly Tow FrontNOT AL-
LOWEDNOT ALLOWED
Rear OKNOT ALLOWED
On Trailer ALL OK OK
714 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:
•When recreational towing your vehicle, always follow
applicable state and provincial laws. Contact state and
provincial Highway Safety offices for additional de-
tails.
•Vehicles equipped with air suspension must be placed
in Transport mode before tying them down (from the
body) on a trailer or flatbed truck. Refer to “Air
Suspension – If Equipped” for more information. If the
vehicle cannot be placed in Transport mode (for ex-
ample, engine will not run), tie-downs must be fas-
tened to the axles (not to the body). Failure to follow
these instructions may cause fault codes to be set
and/or cause loss of proper tie-down tension.
Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive Models
DO NOT flat tow this vehicle. Damage to the drivetrain
will result.Recreational towing (for two-wheel drive models) is
allowedONLYif the rear wheels areOFFthe ground.
This may be accomplished using a tow dolly or vehicle
trailer. If using a tow dolly, follow this procedure:
1. Properly secure the dolly to the tow vehicle, following
the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the tow dolly.
3. Firmly apply the parking brake. Place automatic trans-
mission in PARK, manual transmission in gear (not in
NEUTRAL).
4. Properly secure the rear wheels to the dolly, following
the dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the OFF position and
remove the Key Fob.
6. Install a suitable clamping device, designed for tow-
ing, to secure the front wheels in the straight position.
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 715

To Reset The Manual Park Release:
1. Push the locking tab to the right, to unlock the lever.
2. Rotate the Manual Park Release lever forward to its
original position, until the locking tab snaps into place
to secure the lever.
3. Pull gently on the tether strap to confirm that the lever
is locked in its stowed position.
4. Re-install the access cover.TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE
This section describes procedures for towing a disabled
vehicle using a commercial towing service. If the trans-
mission and drivetrain are operable, disabled vehicles
may also be towed as described under “Recreational
Towing” in the “Starting And Operating” section.
NOTE:Vehicles equipped with air suspension must be
placed in Transport mode, before tying them down (from
the body) on a trailer or flatbed truck. Refer toAir
SuspensioninStarting And Operatingfor more infor-
mation. If the vehicle cannot be placed in Transport mode
(for example, engine will not run), tie-downs must be
fastened to the axles (not to the body). Failure to follow
these instructions may cause fault codes to be set and/or
cause loss of proper tie-down tension.
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 781

Towing
ConditionWheels
OFF the
Ground2WD Models 4WD Models
Flat Tow NONEIf transmission is operable:
•Transmission inNEUTRAL
•30 mph (48 km/h)max speed
•15 miles (24 km)maxdistance (6–
speed transmission)
•30 miles (48 km)maxdistance (8–
speed transmission)See instructions in “Recreational Tow-
ing” under “Starting and Operating”
•Automatic Transmission inPARK
•Manual Transmission in gear (NOT
NEUTRAL)
•Transfer Case inNEUTRAL (N)
•To w i nforwarddirection
Wheel Lift
or Dolly
To wFrontNOT ALLOWED
Rear OKNOT ALLOWED
FlatbedALL BEST METHOD BEST METHOD
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent
damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other
equipment designed for this purpose, following equip-
ment manufacturer ’s instructions. Use of safety chains ismandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to
main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers
or associated brackets. State and local laws regarding
vehicles under tow must be observed.
782 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.)
while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN
position, not the ACC position.
If the key fob is unavailable or the vehicle’s battery is
discharged, refer to ”Manual Park Release” or “Shift
Lever Override” in this section for instructions on shift-
ing the automatic transmission out of PARK for towing.
CAUTION!
•Do not use sling type equipment when towing.
Vehicle damage may occur.
•When securing the vehicle to a flat bed truck, do
not attach to front or rear suspension components.
Damage to your vehicle may result from improper
towing.
Two-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with
all four wheelsOFFthe ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmis-
sion is operable, this vehicle may be towed (with rear
wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:
•The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.
•The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).
•The towing distance must not exceed 15 miles (24 km)
for 6-speed transmission, or 30 miles (48 km) for
8-speed transmission.
If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be
towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 15
miles (24 km) for 6-speed transmission, or 30 miles
(48 km) for 8-speed transmission, tow with the rear
wheelsOFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow
the vehicle on a flatbed, or with the front wheels raised
6
WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES 783

and the rear wheels on a towing dolly, or (when using a
suitable steering wheel stabilizer to hold the front wheels
in the straight position) with the rear wheels raised and
the front wheels on the ground.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above require-
ments can cause severe engine and/or transmission
damage. Damage from improper towing is not cov-
ered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Four-Wheel Drive Models
The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels
OFFthe ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of vehicle raised and
the opposite end on a towing dolly.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transfer
case is operable, the vehicle may be towed (in theforward direction, withALLwheels on the ground),IF
the transfer case is in NEUTRAL (N) and the transmis-
sion is inPARK(for automatic transmissions) or in gear
(NOT in NEUTRAL, for manual transmissions). Refer to
“Recreational Towing” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information and detailed instructions.
CAUTION!
•Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used. Internal
damage to the transmission or transfer case will
occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when
towing.
•Towing this vehicle in violation of the above re-
quirements can cause severe transmission and/or
transfer case damage. Damage from improper tow-
ing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
(Continued)
784 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Hitches
Trailer Towing.........................696
Hoisting................................769
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener)..............219
Hood Release............................170
Hub Caps...............................768
Ignition.................................16
Key ...............................12, 16
Ignition Key Removal.......................16
Illuminated Entry..........................24
Immobilizer (Sentry Key)....................19
Inflation Pressure Tires.....................659
Information Center, Vehicle...............334, 355
Inside Rearview Mirror..............130, 131, 138
Instrument Cluster..................291, 303, 329
Instrument Panel And Controls...............290
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning...............836
Integrated Trailer Brake Controls..............702Interior Appearance Care....................834
Interior Lights...........................179
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers).............185
Introduction..............................4
Inverter Outlet (115V)......................237
Jack Location.........................729, 749
Jump Starting............................770
Key Fob
Programming Additional Key Fobs...........21
Programming Additional Transmitters.........21
Key-In Reminder..........................18
Keyless Enter-N-Go.....................43, 478
Lock The Vehicle’s Doors..............388, 408
Passive Entry...........................43
Passive Entry Programming..........43, 388, 408
Keyless Entry System.......................25
Key, Replacement..........................20
900 INDEX

Dual.............................663, 726
General Information..................647, 653
High Speed...........................650
Inflation Pressures.......................648
Life Of Tires...........................657
Load Capacity......................642, 643
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)............665
Pressure Warning Light...................314
Quality Grading........................887
Radial...............................650
Replacement...........................657
Rotation..............................662
Safety............................636, 647
Sizes................................637
Snow Tires............................652
Spare Tire.........................653, 655
Spinning.............................656
Tread Wear Indicators....................656
Tire Safety Information.....................636Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight................697
Tonneau Cover...........................837
Tonneau Cover Cleaning....................837
Torque Converter Clutch.................510, 521
Tow Hooks, Emergency.....................776
Towing.............................688, 781
Disabled Vehicle........................781
Guide...............................697
Recreational...........................714
Weight...............................697
Towing Vehicle Behind A Motorhome...........714
Traction................................588
Traction Control..........................625
Trailer Sway Control (TSC)..................632
Trailer Towing..........................
.688
Cooling System Tips.....................709
Hitches..............................696
Minimum Requirements..................698
Mirrors..............................144
10
INDEX 909