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2020 RAM 1500 Owners Manual - TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE



TOWING A DISABLED VEHICLE

This section describes procedures for towing a disabled vehicle using a commercial towing service.

If the transmission and drivetrain are operable, disabled vehicles may also be towed as described under “Recreational Towing (Behind Motorhome, Etc.)” in the “Starting And Operating” section.

NOTE:

Vehicles equipped with the Active-Level Four Corner Air Suspension System must be placed in Transport mode, before tying them down (from the body) on a trailer or flatbed truck. If the vehicle cannot be placed in Transport mode (for example, engine will not run), tie-downs must be fastened to the axles (not to the body). Failure to follow these instructions may cause fault codes to be set and/or cause loss of proper tie-down tension.

Refer to "Active-Level Four Corner Air Suspension System

— If Equipped" in "Starting And Operating" for more infor- mation.

Towing Condition

Wheels OFF The Ground

2WD Models

4WD Models

Flat Tow

NONE

If transmission is operable:

    Transmission in NEUTRAL
    30 mph (48 km/h) max speed
    30 miles (48 km) max distance

See instructions in “Recreational Towing” under “Starting And Operating”

    Automatic Transmission in PARK
    Transfer Case in NEUTRAL (N)
    Tow in forward direction

Wheel Lift Or Dolly Tow

Front

NOT ALLOWED

Rear

OK

NOT ALLOWED

Flatbed

ALL

BEST METHOD

BEST METHOD

Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to prevent damage to your vehicle. Use only tow bars and other equip- ment designed for this purpose, following equipment manu- facturer's instructions. Use of safety chains is mandatory. Attach a tow bar or other towing device to main structural members of the vehicle, not to bumpers or associated brackets. State and local laws regarding vehicles under tow must be observed.

If you must use the accessories (wipers, defrosters, etc.) while being towed, the ignition must be in the ON/RUN mode, not the ACC mode.

If the key fob is unavailable or the vehicle's battery is 6 discharged, refer to ”Manual Park Release” in this section for instructions on shifting the transmission out of PARK for

towing.

The manufacturer recommends towing your vehicle with all four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.

If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transmission is operable, the vehicle may be towed (with rear wheels on the ground) under the following conditions:

• The transmission must be in NEUTRAL.

NOTE:

Refer to “Manual Park Release” in this section for instruc- tions on shifting the transmission to NEUTRAL when the engine is OFF.

• The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph (48 km/h).

• The towing distance must not exceed 30 miles (48 km).

If the transmission is not operable, or the vehicle must be towed faster than 30 mph (48 km/h) or farther than 30 miles (48 km), tow with the rear wheels OFF the ground. Accept- able methods are to tow the vehicle on a flatbed, or with the front wheels raised and the rear wheels on a towing dolly, or (when using a suitable steering wheel stabilizer to hold the front wheels in the straight position) with the rear wheels raised and the front wheels on the ground.

The manufacturer recommends towing with all wheels OFF the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of vehicle raised and the opposite end on a towing dolly.

If flatbed equipment is not available, and the transfer case is operable, the vehicle may be towed (in the forward direction, with ALL wheels on the ground), IF the transfer case is in NEUTRAL (N) and the transmission is in PARK.

Refer to “Recreational Towing” in “Starting And Operating” for further information and detailed instructions.

(Continued)

Emergency Tow Hooks — If Equipped

Your vehicle may be equipped with emergency tow hooks.

NOTE:

For off-road recovery, it is recommended to use both of the front tow hooks to minimize the risk of damage to the vehicle.


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