2004 Dodge Ram 3500 Pickup Owner's Manual - Page 274

274 STARTING AND OPERATING • Be sure the trailer is loaded heavier in front, with 60% to 65% of the weight in front of the axle(s). Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the rear can cause the trailer to sway severely side to side which will cause loss of control of vehicle and trailer. Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of many trailer accidents. (For a 5th Wheel style trailer, this range of loading on the King Pin should be between 15% and 25%.) • Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer and will not shift during travel. When towing cargo such as livestock, dynamic load shifts can occur that require the driver to maintain attention. Trailer Towing - Hitches With a Class I Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to tow trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 2,000 lbs (907 kg) maximum. With a Class II Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to tow trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 3,500 lbs (1 587 kg ) maximum. Tongue weight must be equal to at least 10% of GTW, but no more than 15% of GTW. With a Class III Hitch, your vehicle can be equipped to tow trailers with a Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of 5,000 lbs (2 268 kg) maximum. Factory-installed rear step bumpers are rated a Class III hitch. A frame mounted hitch of up to Class IV rating, as rated by the hitch manufacturer, may also be installed. With a Class IV Hitch, you can tow a trailer with a Gross Trailer Weight of up to 12,000 lbs (5 443 kg) maximum depending on your vehicle equipment.