weight Ram 3500 Chassis Cab 2017 Owner's Guide

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.
Your truck may be equipped with a 5th wheel hitch option.
Refer to the separately provided 5th wheel hitch safety,
care, assembly, and operating instructions.
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 Classification
The following chart provides the industry standard for the
maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can tow
and should be used to assist you in selecting the correct
trailer hitch for your intended towing condition.
Trailer Hitch Classification DefinitionsClass Max. Trailer Hitch
Industry Standards
Class I - Light Duty 2,000 lbs (907 kg)
Class II - Medium Duty 3,500 lbs (1,587 kg)
Class III - Heavy Duty 5,000 lbs (2,267 kg)
Class IV - Extra Heavy
Duty 10,000 lbs (4,535 kg)Improper Adjustment Of Weight-Distributing Hitch
(Incorrect)
412 STARTING AND OPERATING

Trailer Hitch Classification Definitions
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Greater than 10,000 lbs (4,535 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.
Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight
Ratings)
NOTE: For additional trailer towing information (maxi-
mum trailer weight ratings) refer to the following website
addresses:
• ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/
• ramtruck.ca (Canada)
• rambodybuilder.com
Trailer And Tongue Weight
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your trailer hitch or the weights specified in the informa-
tion that can be found under “Trailer Towing Weights
(Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)”.
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
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 con-
sidered as part of the total load on your vehicle.
NOTE: Refer to “Tire Safety Information/Tire and Loading
Information Placard” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information.
5
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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. 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 Operat-
ing” for proper tire inflation procedures.
• Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pressures
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 Informa-
tion” in “Starting And Operating” for proper tire re-
placement procedures. Replacing tires with a higher
load carrying capacity will not increase the vehicle’s
GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
WARNING!
• Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
• Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (453 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.
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Snowplow Prep Package Model Availability
For Information about snowplow applications visit
www.ramtrucks.com or refer to the current Ram Body
Builders Guide.
1. The maximum number of occupants in the truck shouldnot exceed two.
2. The total GVWR or the Front GAWR or the Rear GAWR should never be exceeded.
3. Cargo capacity will be reduced by the addition of options or passengers, etc.
The loaded vehicle weight, including the snowplow sys-
tem, all aftermarket accessories, driver, passengers, op-
tions, and cargo, must not exceed either the Gross Vehicle
Weight (GVWR) or Gross Axle Weight (GAWR) ratings.
These weights are specified on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label on the driver’s side door opening.
NOTE: Detach the snowplow when transporting passen-
gers.
Vehicle front end wheel alignment was set to specifications
at the factory without consideration for the weight of the
plow. Front end toe-in should be checked and reset if necessary at the beginning and end of the snowplow
season. This will help prevent uneven tire wear.
The blade should be lowered whenever the vehicle is
parked.
Maintain and operate your vehicle and snowplow equip-
ment following the recommendations provided by the
specific snowplow manufacturer.
Over The Road Operation With Snowplow Attached
The blade restricts air flow to the radiator and causes the
engine to operate at higher than normal temperatures.
Therefore, when transporting the plow, angle the blade
completely and position it as low as road or surface
conditions permit. Do not exceed 40 mph (64 km/h). The
operator should always maintain a safe stopping distance
and allow adequate passing clearance.
Operating Tips
Under ideal snow plowing conditions, 20 mph (32 km/h)
should be maximum operating speed. The operator should
be familiar with the area and surface to be cleaned. Reduce
speed and use extreme caution when plowing unfamiliar
areas or under poor visibility.
422 STARTING AND OPERATING

Gasoline, Reformulated..................... .402
Gear Ranges ............................. .332
Gear Select Lever Override ....................445
Glass Cleaning ........................... .491
Grocery Bag Retainer ....................... .187
Gross Axle Weight Rating .....................409
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................409
Guide, Body Builders .........................6
GVWR ................................. .407
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow
Standing Water ......................... .352
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................... .430
Headlights .............................. .501
Automatic ............................ .128
Cleaning .............................. .490
High Beam ............................ .136
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...........136
Passing ............................... .136
Switch ............................... .128
Head Restraints ............................119
Heated Mirrors ........................ .109, 187
Heater ................................. .280
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch .....136Hill Descent Control
....................... .368
Hill Descent Control Indicator .................368
Hill Start Assist ........................... .360
Hitches Trailer Towing .......................... .412
Hoisting ................................ .440
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) ...............164
Hood Release ............................ .125
Hub Caps ............................... .438
Ignition ..................................15
Key.................................11,15
Ignition Key Removal ........................15
Illuminated Entry ...........................21
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ......................18
Inside Rearview Mirror .................. .101, 106
Instr

ument Cluster ...................204, 207, 220
Instrument Cluster Display Instrument Cluster Display ..................223
Instrument Panel And Controls .................195
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ................491
Integrated Trailer Brake Controls ................416
Interior Appearance Care .....................490
Interior Lights ............................ .132
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) ..............13710
INDEX 529

Tires...........................96, 381, 386, 394
Aging (Life Of Tires) ..................... .389
Air Pressure ........................ .376, 381
Chains ............................... .390
Compact Spare ......................... .386
Dual .......................... .393, 431, 439
General Information ...................381, 386
High Speed ............................ .383
Inflation Pressures ....................... .382
Life Of Tires ........................... .389
Load Capacity ...................... .376, 378
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) .............395
Pressure Warning Light ....................212
Quality Grading ........................ .394
Radial ............................... .384
Replacement ........................... .389
Rotation .............................. .392
Safety ............................ .370, 381
Sizes ................................ .372
Snow Tires ............................ .385
Spare Tire ......................... .386, 387
Spinning .............................. .388
Tread Wear Indicators .....................388
Wheel Nut Torque ....................... .437
Tire Safety Information ...................... .370Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight
.................413
Torque Converter Clutch .....................339
Tow Hooks, Emergency ..................... .444
Towing ............................. .409, 446
Disabled Vehicle ........................ .446
Guide ................................ .413
Recreational ........................... .423
Weight ............................... .413
Towing Vehicle Behind A Motorhome ............423
Traction ................................ .351
T
raction Control .......................... .362
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ....................367
Trailer Towing ............................ .409
Cooling System Tips ..................... .421
Hitches ............................... .412
Minimum Requirements ....................414
Mirrors ................................111
Trailer And Tongue Weight ..................413
Wiring ............................... .419
Trailer Towing Guide ....................... .413
Trailer Weight ............................ .413
Transfer Case ............................ .483
Electronically Shifted ..................... .346
Fluid ................................ .510
Transmission ............................. .484
536 INDEX