weight Ram 4500 Chassis Cab 2017 Owner's Guide

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 Indus-
try 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)
Fifth Wheel/Gooseneck Greater than 10,000 lbs (4 535 kg)
Trailer Hitch Classification Definitions
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
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Trailer And Tongue Weight
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your trailer hitch or the weights specified in “Trailer
Towing Weights Table”.
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. Refer to
“Tire Safety Information/Tire and Loading Information
Placard” in “Starting And Operating” for further informa-
tion.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drivetrain
components the following guidelines are recommended:
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.
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
(Continued)
408 STARTING AND OPERATING

WARNING!(Continued)
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 damage
to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering, sus-
pension, chassis structure or tires.
• 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
chock the trailer wheels.
• GCWR must not be exceeded.
• Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
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.
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CAUTION!
The “Lamp Out” indicator could illuminate if exterior
lamps are not properly installed.
Before Plowing
•Check the hydraulic system for leaks and proper fluid
level.
• Check the mounting bolts and nuts for proper tightness.
• Check the runners and cutting edge for excessive wear.
The cutting edge should be ¼ to ½ in (6 cm to 1.2 cm)
above ground in snow plowing position.
• Check that snowplow lighting is connected and func-
tioning properly.
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 should not 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.
416 STARTING AND OPERATING

Gear Ranges............................. .328
Gear Select Lever Override ....................441
Glass Cleaning ........................... .485
Grocery Bag Retainer ....................... .186
Gross Axle Weight Rating .....................404
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ...................403
Guide, Body Builders .........................6
GVWR ................................. .401
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, Or Shallow
Standing Water ......................... .348
Hazard Warning Flasher ..................... .426
Headlights .............................. .494
Automatic ............................ .130
Cleaning .............................. .484
High Beam ............................ .138
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...........138
Passing ............................... .138
Switch ............................... .130
Head Restraints ........................... .121
Heated Mirrors .........................112,186
Heater ................................. .277
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch .....138
Hill Descent Control ....................... .362Hill Descent Control Indicator
.................362
Hill Start Assist ........................... .355
Hitches Trailer Towing .......................... .407
Hoisting ................................ .435
HomeLink (Garage Door Opener) ...............165
Hood Release ............................ .128
Hub Caps ............................... .434
Ignition ..................................15
Key.................................11,15
Ignition Key Removal ........................15
Illuminated Entry ...........................21
Immobilizer (Sentry Key) ......................17
Inside Rearview Mirror ................103, 104, 109
Instrument Cluster .................. .204, 206, 220
Instr

ument Cluster Display
Instrument Cluster Display ..................222
Instrument Panel And Controls .................195
Instrument Panel Lens Cleaning ................485
Integrated Trailer Brake Controls ................410
Interior Appearance Care .....................483
Interior Lights ............................ .134
Intermittent Wipers (Delay Wipers) ..............139
Introduction ................................410
INDEX 521

Aging (Life Of Tires)..................... .383
Air Pressure ........................ .371, 376
Chains ............................... .385
Compact Spare ......................... .381
Dual .......................... .387, 427, 434
General Information ...................376, 380
High Speed ............................ .378
Inflation Pressures ....................... .377
Life Of Tires ........................... .383
Load Capacity ...................... .371, 373
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) .............389
Pressure Warning Light ....................212
Quality Grading ........................ .388
Radial ............................... .378
Replacement ........................... .384
Rotation .............................. .386
Safety ............................ .365, 376
Sizes ................................ .367
Snow Tires ............................ .379
Spare Tire ...................... .380, 381, 382
Spinning .............................. .382
Tread Wear Indicators .....................383
Wheel Nut Torque ....................... .433
Tire Safety Information ...................... .365
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .................408Torque Converter Clutch
.....................335
Tow Hooks, Emergency ..................... .440
Towing ............................. .403, 442
Disabled Vehicle ........................ .442
Guide ................................ .407
Recreational ........................... .418
Weight ............................... .407
Towing Vehicle Behind A Motorhome ............418
Traction ................................ .347
T

raction Control .......................... .357
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ....................362
Trailer Towing ............................ .403
Cooling System Tips ..................... .415
Hitches ............................... .407
Minimum Requirements ....................408
Mirrors ................................113
Trailer And Tongue Weight ..................408
Wiring ............................... .414
Trailer Towing Guide ....................... .407
Trailer Weight ............................ .407
Transfer Case ............................ .478
Electronically Shifted ..................... .342
Fluid ................................ .502
Transmission ............................. .478
Automatic ......................... .327, 478
528 INDEX