Dodge Ram 2500 (2016 year). Manual

WARNING!

• An improperly adjusted weight distributing hitch

system may reduce handling, stability and braking
performance and could result in a collision.

• Weight distributing systems may not be compat-

ible with surge brake couplers. Consult with your
hitch and trailer manufacturer or a reputable Rec-
reational Vehicle dealer for additional information.

Without Weight-Distributing Hitch (Incorrect)

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Recommended Distribution Hitch Adjustment

Towing With 1500 Air Suspension

1. Set air suspension to normal ride height. No action is

required if already in normal ride height.

NOTE:

The vehicle must remain in the engine running

position while attaching a trailer for proper leveling of
the air suspension system.

2. Position the truck to be ready to connect to the trailer

(do not connect the trailer).

3. Under radio suspension settings, turn on jack mode.

Jack mode will be canceled and procedure must be
restarted if the vehicle is driven at speeds above 5mph
(8kph).

4. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel

opening on the fender to ground, this is height H1.

5. Attach the trailer to the vehicle without the weight

distribution bars connected.

6. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel

opening on the fender to ground, this is height H2.

Measuring Height (H)

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7. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distribut-

ing bars so that the height of the front fender is
approximately (H2-H1)/3+H1 (about 1/3 the differ-
ence between H2 and H1 above normal ride height
[H1]).

8. The truck can now be driven. Jack mode will be

canceled and vehicle will return to normal ride height
when drive at speeds above 5mph (8kph).

Measurement Example

Example 1500 Height

(mm)

925

946

H2-H1

(H2-H1)/3

(H2-H1)/3 + H1

932

NOTE:

For all towing conditions, we recommend towing

with tow haul mode engaged.

All Other 1500(Non-Air Suspension)/2500/3500 Trucks

1. Position the truck to be ready to connect to the trailer

(do not connect the trailer).

NOTE:

For Ram 2500/3500 trucks equipped with rear air

suspension, normal ride height or alternate ride height
can be used. The vehicle must remain in the engine
running position while attaching a trailer for proper
leveling of the air suspension system. It may not be
possible to enter alternate ride height while lightly
loaded.

2. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel

opening on the fender to ground, this is height H1.

3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle without the weight

distribution bars connected.

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703

4. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel

opening on the fender to ground, this is height H2.

5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distribut-

ing bars so that the height of the front fender is
approximately (H2-H1)/2+H1 (about 1/2 the differ-
ence between H2 and H1 above normal ride height
[H1]).

Measurement Example

Example 2500/3500

Height (mm)

1030

1058

H2-H1

(H2-H1)/2

(H2-H1)/2 + H1

1044

NOTE:

For all towing conditions, we recommend towing

with tow haul mode engaged.

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.

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 Type and Maximum Trailer Weight

The following chart provides the maximum trailer
weight a given factory equipped trailer hitch type can
tow and should be used to assist you in selecting the
correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition.

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Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer Weight

Hitch Type

Max. Trailer Weight / Max.

Tongue Weight

Class III Bumper

Hitch - 1500 Model

5,000 lbs (2,268 kg) / 500 lbs

(226 kg)

Class IV - 1500

Model

11,000 lbs (4,989 kg) / 1100

lbs (498 kg)

Class V - 2500/3500

Models

18,000 lbs (8,164 kg) / 1800

lbs (816 kg)

Fifth Wheel - 2500

Model

25,000 lbs (11,339 kg) / 5000

lbs (2,267 kg)

Gooseneck - 2500

Model

20,000 lbs (9,071 kg) /

4000 lbs (1,814 kg)

Trailer Hitch Type and Maximum Trailer Weight

Gooseneck Or Fifth

Wheel - 3500 Model

32,000 lbs (14,545 kg) / 6000

lbs (2,721 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

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Trailer And Tongue Weight

Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your trailer hitch.

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 considered as part of the total load on your vehicle.
Refer to “Tire Safety Information/Tire and Loading In-
formation Placard” in “Starting And Operating” for
further information.

Towing Requirements

To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drive-
train components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:

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.

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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
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 dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis structure or tires.

• Safety chains must always be used between your

vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to

(Continued)

WARNING! (Continued)

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

ⴖchockⴖ 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:

1. GVWR

2. GTW

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707

WARNING! (Continued)

3. GAWR

4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized.

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 Oper-
ating” for proper tire inflation procedures.

• Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-

sures 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 Infor-

mation” in “Starting And Operating” for proper tire
replacement 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

hydraulic brake lines. It can overload your brake
system and cause it to fail. You might not have

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WARNING! (Continued)

brakes when you need them and could have an
accident.

• Towing any trailer will increase your stopping

distance. When towing you should allow for addi-
tional 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.

• 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
1,653 lbs (749 kg).

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Integrated Trailer Brake Module — If Equipped

Your vehicle may have an Integrated Trailer Brake Mod-
ule (ITBM) for Electric and Electric Over Hydraulic
(EOH) trailer brakes.

NOTE:

This module has been designed and verified with

electric trailer brakes and new electric over hydraulic
systems. Some previous EOH systems may not be com-
patible with ITBM.

Integrated Trailer Brake Module (ITBM)

1 — GAIN Adjustment Button
2 — GAIN Adjustment Button
3 — Manual Brake Control Lever

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The user interface consists of the following:

Manual Brake Control Lever

Slide the manual brake control lever to the left to activate
power to the trailer’s electric brakes independent of the
tow vehicle’s brakes. If the manual brake control lever is
activated while the brake is also applied, the greater of
the two inputs determines the power sent to the trailer
brakes.

The trailer and the vehicle’s brake lamps will come on
when either vehicle braking or manual trailer brakes are
applied.

Trailer Brake Status Indicator Light

This light indicates the trailer electrical connection status.

If no electrical connection is detected after the ignition is
turned on, pushing the GAIN adjustment button or

sliding the manual brake control lever will display the
GAIN setting for 10 seconds and the “Trailer Brake Status
Indicator Light” will not be displayed.

If a fault is detected in the trailer wiring or the Integrated
Trailer Brake Module (ITBM), the “Trailer Brake Status
Indicator Light” will flash.

GAIN Adjustment Buttons (+/-)

Pushing these buttons will adjust the brake control
power output to the trailer brakes in 0.5 increments. The
GAIN setting can be increased to a maximum of 10 or
decreased to a minimum of 0 (no trailer braking).

GAIN

The GAIN setting is used to set the trailer brake control
for the specific towing condition and should be changed
as towing conditions change. Changes to towing condi-
tions include trailer load, vehicle load, road conditions
and weather.

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Adjusting GAIN

NOTE:

This should only be performed in a traffic free

environment at speeds of approximately 20–25 mph
(30–40 km/h).

1. Make sure the trailer brakes are in good working

condition, functioning normally and properly ad-
justed. See your trailer dealer if necessary.

2. Hook up the trailer and make the electrical connec-

tions according to the trailer manufacturer’s instruc-
tions.

3. When a trailer with electric/EOH brakes is plugged

in, the trailer connected message should appear in the
EVIC/DID (if the connection is not recognized by the
ITBM, braking functions will not be available), the
GAIN setting will illuminate and the correct type of
trailer must be selected from the EVIC/DID options.

4. Push the UP or DOWN button on the steering wheel

until “TRAILER TOW” appears on the screen.

5. Push the RIGHT arrow on the steering wheel to enter

“TRAILER TOW”.

6. Push the UP or DOWN buttons until Trailer Brake

Type appears on the screen.

7. Push the RIGHT arrow and then push the UP or

DOWN buttons until the proper Trailer Brake Type
appears on the screen.

8. In a traffic-free environment, tow the trailer on a dry,

level surface at a speed of 20–25 mph (30–40 km/h)
and squeeze the manual brake control lever com-
pletely.

9. If the trailer wheels lockup (indicated by squealing

tires), reduce the GAIN setting; if the trailer wheels
turn freely, increase the GAIN setting.

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Repeat steps 8 and 9 until the GAIN setting is at a point
just below trailer wheel lockup. If towing a heavier
trailer, trailer wheel lockup may not be attainable even
with the maximum GAIN setting of 10.

Light Electric

Heavy Electric

Light EOH

Heavy EOH

Type of Trailer
Brakes

Electric Trailer
Brakes

Electric over Hy-
draulic Trailer
Brakes

Load

*Under 10,000 lbs

*Above 10,000 lbs

*Under 10,000 lbs

*Above 10,000 lbs

* The suggested selection depends and may change
depending on the customer preferences for braking per-
formance. Condition of the trailer brakes, driving and
road state may also affect the selection.

Display Messages

The trailer brake control interacts with the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or Driver Information

Display (DID). Display messages, along with a single
chime, will be displayed when a malfunction is deter-
mined in the trailer connection, trailer brake control, or
on the trailer. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle Information
Center” or “Driver Information Display” in “Under-
standing Your Instrument Panel” for further information.

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CAUTION!

Connecting a trailer that is not compatible with the
ITBM system may result in reduced or complete loss
of trailer braking. There may be a increase in stop-
ping distance or trailer instability which could result
in damage to your vehicle, trailer, or other property.

WARNING!

NOTE:

• An aftermarket controller may be available for use

with trailers with air or electric-over-hydraulic trailer
brake systems. To determine the type of brakes on
your trailer and the availability of controllers, check
with your trailer manufacturer or dealer.

• Removal of the ITBM will cause errors and it may

cause damage to the electrical system and electronic
modules of the vehicle. See your authorized dealer if
an aftermarket module is to be installed.

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Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights And Wiring

Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.

The Trailer Tow Package may include a four- and seven-
pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer har-
ness and connector.

NOTE:

Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles

wiring harness.

The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle
but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector.
Refer to the following illustrations.

Four-Pin Connector

1 — Female Pins
2 — Male Pin
3 — Ground

4 — Park
5 — Left Stop/Turn
6 — Right Stop/Turn

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Dodge Ram 2500 (2016 year). Manual - part 44