2004 Dodge Ram 3500 Pickup Owner's Manual - Page 276

276 STARTING AND OPERATING CAUTION! Connect trailer lighting and brakes using factory harnesses only. Do not cut or splice wiring to the brake circuits. Use an approved wiring harness connector on the trailer. Trailer Weight and Trailer Tongue Weight Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) means the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and equipment loaded on the trailer when in actual underway towing 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. Tongue Weight is the weight placed on the vehicle's trailer hitch by the trailer. Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the GTW on the tow hitch of your vehicle. Trailer sway control and equalizing hitch are required for Class III or IV trailer hitches and tongue weights above 350 lbs (159 kg). Tongue weight must be equal to at least 10% of GTW, but no more than 15% of GTW.