RAM 1500 2019, User Manual

Page: 188 / 340

WARNING!
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,
suspension, chassis structure or tires.
• Safety chains must always be used be-
tween 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.
WARNING!
•
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 — Trailer Brakes
• Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake
system or vacuum system of your vehicle
with that of the trailer. This could cause
inadequate braking and possible personal
injury.
• An electronically actuated trailer brake
controller is required when towing a trailer
with electronically actuated brakes. When
towing a trailer equipped with a hydraulic
surge actuated brake system, an electronic
brake controller is not required.
• Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers
over 1,000 lbs (453 kg) and required for
trailers in excess of 2,000 lbs (907 kg).
WARNING!
• Do not connect trailer brakes to your ve-
hicle's hydraulic brake lines. It can over-
load your brake system and cause it to
fail. You might not have brakes when you
need them and could have a collision.
• Towing any trailer will increase your
stopping distance. When towing you
should allow for additional space be-
tween your vehicle and the vehicle in
front of you. Failure to do so could result
in a collision.
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.
ST
ARTING
AND
OPERA
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