tow Ram 3500 2014 Owners Manual

The weight on the front and rear of the vehicle should
then be determined separately to be sure that the load is
properly distributed over the front and rear axle. Weigh-
ing the vehicle may show that the GAWR of either the
front or rear axles has been exceeded but the total load is
within the specified GVWR. If so, weight must be shifted
from front to rear or rear to front as appropriate until the
specified weight limitations are met. Store the heavier
items down low and be sure that the weight is distributed
equally. Stow all loose items securely before driving.
Improper weight distributions can have an adverse effect
on the way your vehicle steers and handles and the way
the brakes operate.CAUTION!
Do not load your vehicle any heavier than the GVWR
or the maximum front and rear GAWR. If you do,
parts on your vehicle can break, or it can change the
way your vehicle handles. This could cause you to
lose control. Also overloading can shorten the life of
your vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find safety tips and information
on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do
with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer, carefully
review this information to tow your load as efficiently
and safely as possible.
To maintain the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage,
follow the requirements and recommendations in this
manual concerning vehicles used for trailer towing.
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Common Towing Definitions
The following trailer towing related definitions will assist
you in understanding the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle.
This includes driver, passengers, cargo and tongue
weight. The total load must be limited so that you do not
exceed the GVWR. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle
Certification Label” in “Starting and Operating” for
further information.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all
cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or tem-
porary) loaded in or on the trailer in itsloaded and
ready for operation condition. The recommended way to measure GTW is to put your fully loaded trailer on a
vehicle scale. The entire weight of the trailer must be
supported by the scale.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The GCWR is the total permissible weight of your vehicle
and trailer when weighed in combination.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear
axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles
evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or
rear GAWR. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle Certifica-
tion Label” in “Starting and Operating” for further
information.
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WARNING!
It is important that you do not exceed the maximum
front or rear GAWR. A dangerous driving condition
can result if either rating is exceeded. You could lose
control of the vehicle and have an accident.
Tongue Weight (TW)
The tongue weight is the downward force exerted on the
hitch ball by the trailer. In most cases it should not be less
than 10% of the trailer load. You must consider this as
part of the load on your vehicle.
Frontal Area
The frontal area is the maximum height multiplied by the
maximum width of the front of a trailer.
Trailer Sway Control
The trailer sway control can be a mechanical telescoping
link that can be installed between the hitch receiver and
the trailer tongue that typically provides adjustable fric-
tion associated with the telescoping motion to dampen
any unwanted trailer swaying motions while traveling.
If equipped, the electronic Trailer Sway Control (TSC)
recognizes a swaying trailer and automatically applies
individual wheel brakes and/or reduces engine power to
attempt to eliminate the trailer sway.
Weight-Carrying Hitch
A weight-carrying hitch supports the trailer tongue
weight, just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or
some other connecting point of the vehicle. These kinds
of hitches are the most popular on the market today and
they are commonly used to tow small and medium sized
trailers.
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Weight-Distributing Hitch
A weight-distributing system works by applying lever-
age through spring (load) bars. They are typically used
for heavier loads to distribute trailer tongue weight to the
tow vehicle’s front axle and the trailer axle(s). When used
in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions, it pro-
vides for a more level ride, offering more consistent
steering and brake control thereby enhancing towing
safety. The addition of a friction/hydraulic sway control
also dampens sway caused by traffic and crosswinds and
contributes positively to tow vehicle and trailer stability.
Trailer sway control and a weight distributing (load
equalizing) hitch are recommended for heavier Tongue
Weights (TW) and may be required depending on vehicle
and trailer configuration/loading to comply with Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) requirements. Weight Dis-
tribution hitched are recommended for loads in excess of
5,000 lbs (2,268 kg).
WARNING!
•An improperly adjusted Weight Distributing Hitch
system may reduce handling, stability, braking
performance, and could result in a collision.
•
Weight Distributing Systems may not be compatible
with Surge Brake Couplers. Consult with your hitch
and trailer manufacturer or a reputable Recreational
Vehicle dealer for additional information.
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.
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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 (2 268 kg)
Class IV - 1500 Model 10,450 lbs (4 740 kg)
Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer Weight
Hitch Type Max. Trailer Hitch Max. Trailer Weight
Class V - 2500/3500 Models 17,000 lbs (7 711 kg)
Fifth Wheel - 2500/ 3500 Models 25,000 lbs (11 339 kg)
Gooseneck - 2500 Model 20,000 lbs (9 071 kg)
Gooseneck - 3500 Model 30,000 lbs (13 636 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.
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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/Outdoorsman Sport/Laramie
3.6L V-6 8–Speed Auto- matic Transmission Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 7,400 lbs (3 379 kg)
Max Payload: 1,920 lbs (871 kg) Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 7,400 lbs (3 357 kg)
Max Payload: 1,900 lbs (862 kg) –
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: 1,730 lbs (785 kg) Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,450 lbs (4 740 kg)
Max Payload: 1,700 lbs (771 kg) Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,250 lbs (4 649 kg)
Max Payload: 1,600 lbs (726 kg)
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Ram 1500 4x4
STSLT/Outdoorsman Sport/Laramie
3.6L V-6 8–Speed Auto- matic Transmission Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 7,250 lbs (3 289 kg)
Max Payload: 1,930 lbs (875 kg) Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 7,200 lbs (3 266 kg)
Max Payload: 1,900 lbs (861 kg) –
5.7L HEMI® V-8 6–Speed Automatic Transmission Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,350 lbs (4 695 kg)
Max Payload: 1,500 lbs (680 kg) Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,350 lbs (4 695 kg)
Max Payload: 1,480 lbs (671 kg) Standard Towing:
5,000 lbs (2 268 kg)
Max Towing: 10,050 lbs (4 558 kg)
Max Payload: 1,390 lbs (630 kg)
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Ram 2500 And 3500
STSLT/Outdoorsman/Sport Laramie
5.7L HEMI® V-8 6–Speed Automatic Transmission Max Towing: 13,850 lbs
(6 282 kg)
Max Payload: 4,480 lbs (2 032 kg) Max Towing: 13,810 lbs
(6 282 kg)
Max Payload: 4,440 lbs (2 014 kg) Max Towing: 13,350 lbs
(6 055 kg)
Max Payload: 4,410 lbs (2 000 kg)
6.4L HEMI® V-8 6–Speed Automatic Transmission Max Towing: 16,450 lbs
(7 462 kg)
Max Payload: 7,220 lbs (3 275 kg) Max Towing: 16,400 lbs
(7 439 kg)
Max Payload: 7,170 lbs (3 252 kg) Max Towing: 15,810 lbs
(7 171 kg)
Max Payload: 6,950 lbs (3 152 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% 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 swayseverely
side 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 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
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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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