trailer Ram 1500 2019 Owner's Guide

Trailer Merge Assist is a function of the Blind Spot Moni-
toring (BSM) system that extends the blind spot zone to
work while pulling a trailer. Trailer Merge Assist consists of
three sub functions:
•Automatic Trailer Detection
• Trailer Length Detection
• Trailer Merge Warning Automatic Trailer Detection
There are two modes of operation for the detection of the
trailer length:
•
Automatic Mode — When “Auto Mode” is selected, the
system will use the blind spot sensors to automatically
determine the presence and length of a trailer. The
presence of a trailer will be detected using the blind spot
radar within 90 seconds of forward movement of the
vehicle. The vehicle must be moving above 6 mph
(10 km/h) to activate the feature. Once the trailer has
been detected, the system will default to the maximum
blind spot zone until the length has been verified. You
will see “Auto” in the instrument panel cluster
.
• Max Mode — When “Max Mode” is selected, the system
will default to the maximum blind spot zone regardless
of what size trailer is attached
NOTE: Selected setting is stored when the ignition is
cycled OFF. To change this setting, it must be selected
through the Uconnect Settings. Refer to “Uconnect Set-
tings” in “Multimedia” for further information.
Blind Spot Zones With Trailer Merge Assist
218 SAFETY

Trailer Length Detection
Once the trailer presence has been established. The trailer
length will be established (by making a 90 degree turn) and
then the trailer length category (example 10-20 ft (3 m to
6 m)) will be displayed. This can take up to 30 seconds after
completing the turn.
NOTE:During the same ignition cycle, if the vehicle is at a
standstill for a minimum of 90 seconds, a new “trailer
detection request” is enabled by the system once the
vehicle resumes motion.
Maximum length supported by the Trailer Merge Assist
feature is 39.5 ft (12 m). Trailer length is considered the
forward most portion of the trailer hitch to the rearward
most portion of the body, bumper, or ramp of the trailer.
Maximum width supported by the Trailer Merge Assist
feature is 8.5 ft (2.59 m). Trailer width is measured at the
widest portion of the trailer and may include wheels, tires,
finders, or rails.
NOTE: Fifth wheel or gooseneck trailers are not supported
by Trailer Merge Assist. Trailer length will be identified and placed into one of the
following categories:
•
Trailer length up to 10 ft (3 m) — Blind spot zone will be
adjusted to 10 ft (3 m)
.
• Trailer length between 10 ft to 20 ft (3 m to 6 m) — Blind
spot zone will be adjusted to 20 ft (6 m)
.
Trailer Length Detection
1 — Trailer Length
2 — Trailer Width
3 — Trailer Hitch
5
SAFETY 219

•Trailer length between 20 ft to 30 ft (6 m to 9 m) — Blind
spot zone will be adjusted to 30 ft (9 m)
.
• Trailer length between 30 ft and 39.5 ft (9 m to 12 m) —
Blind spot zone will be adjusted to MAX distance
.
NOTE: Trailer length is determined within +/- 3 feet
(1 meter) of actual length. Trailers that are the same size as
the category limit, 10/20/30 ft (3/6/9 m), could be subject
to being placed in the category above or below the correct
one.
Trailer Merge Warning
Trailer Merge Warning is the extension of the blind spot
function to cover the length of the trailer, plus a safety
margin, to warn the driver when there is a vehicle in the
adjacent lane. The driver is alerted by the illumination of
the BSM warning light located in the outside mirror on the
side the other vehicle is detected. In addition, an audible
(chime) alert will be heard and radio volume reduced.
Refer to “Modes Of Operation” in this section for further
information. NOTE:
•
The Trailer Merge Alert system DOES NOT alert the
driver about rapidly approaching vehicles that are out-
side the detection zones.
• The Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) system may experi-
ence drop outs (blinking on and off) of the side mirror
warning indicator lamps when a motorcycle or any
small object remains at the side of the vehicle for
extended periods of time (more than a couple of sec-
onds).
• Crowded areas such as parking lots, neighborhoods, etc.
May lead to an increased amount of false alerts. This is
normal operation.
WARNING!
The Blind Spot Monitoring system is only an aid to
help detect objects in the blind spot zones. The BSM
system is not designed to detect pedestrians, bicyclists,
or animals. Even if your vehicle is equipped with the
BSM system, always check your vehicle’s mirrors,
glance over your shoulder, and use your turn signal
before changing lanes. Failure to do so can result in
serious injury or death.
220 SAFETY

REFUELING THE VEHICLE ................404
 VEHICLE LOADING .....................406
▫ Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) ........406
▫ Payload ............................. .406
▫ Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) ..........406
▫ Tire Size ............................ .406
▫ Rim Size ............................ .406
▫ Inflation Pressure ...................... .406
▫ Curb Weight ......................... .407
▫ Loading ............................ .407
 TRAILER TOWING ..................... .407
▫ Common Towing Definitions ...............408
▫ Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer
Weight ............................. .413
▫ Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings) ............................ .414▫
Trailer And Tongue Weight ...............414
▫ Towing Requirements ...................414
▫ Towing Tips ......................... .422
 SNOWPLOW .......................... .423
 RECREATIONAL TOWING (BEHIND
MOTORHOME, ETC.) ....................424
▫ Towing This Vehicle Behind Another Vehicle. . . .424
▫ Recreational Towing — Two-Wheel Drive
Models ............................. .425
▫ Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive
Models ............................. .425
 DRIVING TIPS ......................... .429
▫ Driving On Slippery Surfaces ..............429
▫ Driving Through Water ..................430
▫ Of

f-Road Driving Tips ...................431
292 STARTING AND OPERATING

•With brake pedal released, verify that the gear selector
will not move out of PARK.
REVERSE (R)
This range is for moving the vehicle backward. Shift into
REVERSE only after the vehicle has come to a complete
stop.
NEUTRAL (N)
Use this range when the vehicle is standing for prolonged
periods with the engine running. Apply the parking brake
and shift the transmission into PARK if you must exit the
vehicle.
WARNING!
Do not coast in NEUTRAL and never turn off the
ignition to coast down a hill. These are unsafe practices
that limit your response to changing traffic or road
conditions. You might lose control of the vehicle and
have a collision.
CAUTION!
Towing the vehicle, coasting, or driving for any other
reason with the transmission in NEUTRAL can cause
severe transmission damage. Refer to “Recreational
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” and “Towing A
Disabled Vehicle” in “In Case Of Emergency” for
further information.
DRIVE (D)
This range should be used for most city and highway
driving. It provides the smoothest upshifts and downshifts,
and the best fuel economy. The transmission automatically
upshifts through all forward gears. The DRIVE position
provides optimum driving characteristics under all normal
operating conditions.
When frequent transmission shifting occurs (such as when
operating the vehicle under heavy loading conditions, in
hilly terrain, traveling into strong head winds, or while
towing a heavy trailer), select TOW/HAUL mode or use
the Electronic Range Select (ERS) shift control (refer to
Electronic Range Select (ERS) Operation in this section for
further information) to select a lower gear range. Under
310 STARTING AND OPERATING

When to Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting occurs,
push the TOW/HAUL switch to activate TOW/HAUL
mode. This will improve performance and reduce the
potential for transmission overheating or failure due to
excessive shifting.The “TOW/HAUL Indicator Light” will illuminate in the
instrument cluster to indicate that TOW/HAUL mode has
been activated. Pushing the switch a second time restores
normal operation. Normal operation is always the default
at engine start-up. If TOW/HAUL mode is desired, the
switch must be pushed each time the engine is started.
WARNING!
Do not use the “TOW/HAUL” feature when driving in
icy or slippery conditions. The increased engine brak-
ing can cause the rear wheels to slide, and the vehicle
to swing around with the possible loss of vehicle
control, which may cause an accident possibly result-
ing in personal injury or death.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPERATION — IF EQUIPPED
Four-wheel drive trucks are equipped with either a manu-
ally shifted transfer case or an electronically shifted trans-
fer case. Refer to the operating instructions for your
transfer case, located in this section for further information.
TOW/HAUL Switch
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 313

Wheel Alignment Mode
Before performing a wheel alignment, this mode must be
enabled. Refer to “Instrument Cluster Display” in “Getting
To Know Your Instrument Panel” or “Uconnect Settings” in
“Multimedia” if equipped with a touch screen radio for
further information.
NOTE:This mode is intended to be enabled with engine
running.
Protection Strategy
In order to “protect” the air suspension system, the vehicle
will disable load leveling as required (suspension over-
loaded, battery charge low, etc.). Load leveling will automati-
cally resume as soon as system operation requirements are
met. See your authorized dealer if system does not resume.
NOTE:If towing with air suspension refer to “Trailer Towing”
in “Starting And Operating” for further information.
Instrument Cluster Display Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, a message will
appear in the instrument cluster display. Refer to “Instru-
ment Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instru-
ment Panel” for further information.
An audible chime will be heard whenever a system error
has been detected. See your authorized dealer for system service if normal
operation does not resume.
Operation
Air Suspension Switch
1 — Off-Road 2 Indicator (Customer selectable)
2 — Off-Road 1 Indicator (Customer selectable)
3 — Normal Ride Height Indicator (Customer selectable)
4 — Aero Mode Indicator (Customer Selectable)
5 — Entry/Exit Mode Indicator (Customer selectable)
6 — Height Selector
326 STARTING AND OPERATING

Protection Strategy
In order to “protect” the air suspension system, the vehicle
will disable load leveling as required (suspension over-
loaded, battery charge low, etc.). Load leveling will auto-
matically resume as soon as system operation requirements
are met. See your authorized dealer if system does not
resume.
NOTE:If towing with air suspension refer to “Trailer
Towing” in “Starting And Operating” for further informa-
tion.
Instrument Cluster Display Messages
When the appropriate conditions exist, a message will
appear in the instrument cluster display. Refer to “Instru-
ment Cluster Display” in “Getting To Know Your Instru-
ment Panel” for further information.
An audible chime will be heard whenever a system error
has been detected.
See your authorized dealer for system service if normal
operation does not resume.
Operation
Air Suspension Switch
1 — Off-Road Indicator (Customer selectable)
2 — Normal Ride Height Indicator (Customer selectable)
3 — Aero Mode Indicator (Customer Selectable)
4 — Entry/Exit Mode Indicator (Customer selectable)
5 — Height Selector
332 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
You should switch off the ACC system:
•When driving in fog, heavy rain, heavy snow, sleet,
heavy traffic, and complex driving situations (i.e., in
highway construction zones).
• When entering a turn lane or highway off ramp;
when driving on roads that are winding, icy, snow-
covered, slippery, or have steep uphill or downhill
slopes.
• When towing a trailer up or down steep slopes.
• When circumstances do not allow safe driving at a
constant speed.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Operation
The speed control buttons (located on the right side of the
steering wheel) operates the ACC system.
NOTE:Any chassis/suspension or tire size modifications
to the vehicle will effect the performance of the Adaptive
Cruise Control and Forward Collision Warning System.
Adaptive Cruise Control Buttons
1 — SET (+)/Accel 5 — CANC/Cancel
2 — Normal (Fixed Speed)
Cruise Control On/Off 6 — Distance Setting Decrease
3 — RES/Resume 7 — Adaptive Cruise Control
(ACC) On/Off
4 — SET (-)/Decel 8 — Distance Setting Increase
6
STARTING AND OPERATING 345

To Cancel
The following conditions cancel the system:
•The brake pedal is applied.
• The CANC (cancel) button is pushed.
• An Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) event occurs.
• The gear selector is removed from the DRIVE position.
• The Electronic Stability Control/Traction Control Sys-
tem (ESC/TCS) activates.
• The vehicle parking brake is applied.
• Driver seatbelt is unbuckled at low speeds.
• Driver door is opened at low speeds.
• A Trailer Sway Control (TSC) event occurs.
• The driver switches ESC to full-off mode.
• The braking temperature exceeds normal range (over-
heated).
To Turn Off
The system will turn off and clear the set speed in memory
if:
• The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) on/off button is
pushed.
• The Normal (Fixed Speed) Cruise Control on/off button
is pushed.
• The ignition is turned OFF.
• You switch to Four-Wheel Drive Low.
To Resume
If there is a set speed in memory push the RES (resume)
button and then remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal. The instrument cluster display will display the last
set speed.
348 STARTING AND OPERATING