RAM 3500 (2019 year). Instruction — part 21
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333
sand and lighter vehicles. You will need to experiment to
determine what is right for your situation. It is easier and
faster to let air out than it is to replace it so, start high and
lower it as required. Remember you must return the tires to
normal air pressure before driving on road or at highway
conditions. Be sure you have a way to return the tires to their
normal on road air pressure.
Vehicle Recovery
If you drive off-road, you may encounter a situation where
you will need to recover your vehicle. Vehicle recovery
should always be given consideration before attempting a
questionable obstacle. You should never go off-road driving
without the ability to recover your vehicle from a situation.
Having another vehicle with you usually works best for most
situations. The first thing to do is assess the situation. Why
are you stuck? Are you hung up on something? Would it be
easier to go forward or to go backward? Can you still move
the vehicle? Is there an anchor point to winch to? Are you
alone or do you have another vehicle to help? Is there high
risk of vehicle damage during the recovery process?
Answering these questions will help you determine the best
method of recovery. If you can still move the vehicle slightly
and the only issue is slick ground, then rock cycling your
vehicle would be the first choice. If you have ample room, an
additional vehicle and there is low risk of vehicle impinge-
ment on the surroundings, then using a tow strap to the
vehicle tow hooks would be fast and easy. If the vehicle is
severely hung up or in a situation where great care needs to
be taken during the recovery, then nothing can do the job
better than a winch. If you are severely hung up on some-
thing you should jack the vehicle up and stack something
under the wheels to allow the vehicle to roll off the object
without causing further damage. This should be tried before
attempting any recovery method.
CAUTION!
Reduced tire pressure increases the risk of tire damage
and may cause tire unseating with total loss of air
pressure. To reduce the risk of tire unseating, while at a
reduced tire pressure, drive at slower speeds and avoid
sharp turns or abrupt maneuvers.
CAUTION!
Pulling the vehicle off an obstacle, without first clearing
the object, may result in additional underbody damage.
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• Rock Cycling Your Vehicle – Rock cycling your vehicle is
one of the easiest, fastest and most commonly used
methods. This simply involves shifting your vehicle from
DRIVE to REVERSE, while applying throttle after each
shift. During this process, for additional traction, try
turning your steering wheel quickly left and right no more
than a ¼ turn. If you are stuck in mud, sand, or snow try
spinning your tires during this process to clean the debris
from the tread and improve the traction. You want to
create a rocking motion with the vehicle. This helps build
vehicle momentum, which hopefully gets you out.
Remember to ease off and on the accelerator before and
after the shift. If after a few rock cycles your vehicle is not
free, stop and try another method of recovery. Continuous
rock cycling will only cause unnecessary damage to your
vehicle and the environment.
• Using The Tow Hooks With A Tow Strap – Tow straps
are a quick and easy way to recover your vehicle from
minor situations if you have a secondary vehicle which is
not stuck. The tow hooks on your vehicle are designed to
take the abusive force generated during vehicle recovery.
Do not use the bumper or any other vehicle component as
an attachment point. Using tow straps requires coordina-
tion between the two drivers. Good communication and
line of sight are required for a safe recovery. First connect
the tow strap to the correct attachment points on both vehi-
cles. There should be a least 20 to 30 feet (6 to 9 meters)
between the vehicles to allow for a safe recovery. If neces-
sary join two tow straps together using a 1 ½ inch hard
wood dowel. This will keep the straps from becoming
knotted and is safer than using a clevis pin if the strap
breaks. Next have the tow vehicle backup, leaving two to
three feet worth of slack in the strap. Then the tow vehicle,
using light throttle, should accelerate tightening the strap
providing the pulling force needed to free the vehicle. The
vehicle being recovered should assist in the recovery, at
the time of the snap, by slowly spinning the tires in the
same direction as the pulling vehicle. After the vehicle
becomes free, the driver of the previously stuck vehicle
should signal they are free and should hit their brakes
stopping both vehicles. The driver of the pulling vehicle
should let off the throttle without using the brakes, once
signaled by the other driver. This sequence is important to
avoid having the recovered vehicle hit the pulling vehicle.
CAUTION!
Damage can occur when spinning your tires at an
excessive high speed. Do not spin your tires faster than
an indicated 30 mph (48 km/h).
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• Winching (Refer To “Winch Operation” For Additional
Information) – Winching is most commonly used in the
following situations: there is no support vehicle available,
a high controlled force is required to recover the vehicle,
there is a high risk of environmental or vehicle damage, or
where nothing else seems to work. A winch can deliver a
high pulling force with a great deal of control. It allows
you to walk the vehicle out of the situation in a slow
controlled manner. This control works well for avoiding
further vehicle damage. Once you decide it is time to use
the winch look for a good anchor point. It needs to be
strong enough to hold more than the vehicle's weight and
provide a direction of pull as straight as possible. Use
block and tackle if necessary to improve the angle of pull
or increase the winch's pulling force. If the anchor point is
a tree use a strap around its base and hook the cable to the
strap. If it is another vehicle, then place that vehicle in
PARK and block the front tires. If you cannot find an
anchor point within reach try using your spare tire by
burying it. Once you have determined an anchor point
hook up the cable, ensuring there are a least five wraps of
cable left on the drum, and place a floor mat or something
else over the strung out cable. Placing something over the
strung out cable helps keep the cable on the ground if it
breaks. Next, place the vehicle in first gear and apply a
very light throttle as you power the winch in. Be careful
not to allow slack in the cable as you recover the vehicle.
Do not try to guide the cable into the drum. If it starts to
bunch up on one end, let it. You can re-spool the cable
afterwards. Never use a winch cable as a tow strap and
always stand back while winching.
WARNING!
Never use tow straps with end hooks or link two straps
with a clevis pin. These heavy metal objects could
become projectiles if a strap breaks, which could cause
severe injury. Never leave more than 2 to 3 feet (.6 to
1 meter) of slack in the strap. More slack than this greatly
increases the risk of injury and vehicle damage. Always
keep everyone at least 30 feet (9 meters) away from a
strapping or winching situation.
WARNING!
Winch cables are under high tension when in use and
can become a projectile if they fail. Never stand over or
straddle the winch cable. Never jerk or overload the
winch cable. Never stand in front of the vehicle while
winching. Failure to follow these instructions can result
in serious or fatal injury.
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After Driving Off-Road
Off-road operation puts more stress on your vehicle than
does most on-road driving. After going off-road, it is always
a good idea to check for damage. That way you can get any
problems taken care of right away and have your vehicle
ready when you need it.
• Completely inspect the underbody of your vehicle. Check
tires, body structure, steering, suspension, and exhaust
system for damage.
• Inspect the radiator for mud and debris and clean as
required.
• Check threaded fasteners for looseness, particularly on the
chassis, drivetrain components, steering, and suspension.
Retighten them, if required, and torque to the values spec-
ified in the Service Instruction.
• Check for accumulations of plants or brush. These things
could be a fire hazard. They might hide damage to fuel
lines, brake hoses, axle pinion seals, and propeller shafts.
• After extended operation in mud, sand, water, or similar
dirty conditions, have the radiator, fan, brake rotors,
wheels, brake linings, and axle yokes inspected and
cleaned as soon as possible.
• If you experience unusual vibration after driving in mud,
slush or similar conditions, check the wheels for impacted
material. Impacted material can cause a wheel imbalance
and freeing the wheels of it will correct the situation.
WARNING!
Abrasive material in any part of the brakes may cause
excessive wear or unpredictable braking. You might not
have full braking power when you need it to prevent a
collision. If you have been operating your vehicle in
dirty conditions, get your brakes checked and cleaned as
necessary.
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337
LIMITED-SLIP DIFFERENTIAL
The limited-slip differential provides additional traction on
snow, ice, mud, sand and gravel, particularly when there is
a difference between the traction characteristics of the
surface under the right and left rear wheels. During normal
driving and cornering, the limited-slip unit performs simi-
larly to a conventional differential. On slippery surfaces,
however, the differential delivers more of the driving effort
to the rear wheel having the better traction.
The limited-slip differential is especially helpful during slip-
pery driving conditions. With both rear wheels on a slippery
surface, a slight application of the accelerator will supply
maximum traction. When starting with only one rear wheel
on an excessively slippery surface, slight momentary appli-
cation of the parking brake may be necessary to gain
maximum traction.
Care should be taken to avoid sudden accelerations when
both rear wheels are on a slippery surface. This could cause
both rear wheels to spin, and allow the vehicle to slide side-
ways on the crowned surface of a road or in a turn.
WINCH USAGE — POWER WAGON ONLY (IF
EQUIPPED)
Things To Know Before Using Your Winch
General Winch Information
Your vehicle is equipped with an electric vehicle recovery
winch. This winch uses the electrical power from the vehicle
charging system to power a motor that winds the winch rope
onto the winch drum via planetary gear reduction. By
nature, a winch is capable of generating very high forces and
should be used with care. Do not operate the winch without
reading and understanding the complete winch owner's
instruction.
WARNING!
On vehicles equipped with a limited-slip differential
never run the engine with one rear wheel off the ground
since the vehicle may drive through the rear wheel
remaining on the ground. You could lose control of the
vehicle.
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Tensioning The Winch Rope
The winch rope must be properly tensioned before use.
Follow the instructions below to tension the rope:
1. Un-spool the rope leaving five wraps of rope on the
winch drum.
2. Attach the hook to a suitable anchor point.
3. Apply at least 1,000 lbs (454 kg) of tension to the rope
while winding the rope. Always use care to ensure the
rope does not pile up on one side of the drum and is
neatly wound onto the drum.
Low Voltage Interrupt
Your winch is equipped with a device that will interrupt
winch function if the vehicle charging system voltage drops
to a low level. The winch will not power-in or out for 30
seconds if this device is tripped. If the interrupt is tripped,
the vehicle should be operated at high idle for a few minutes
to allow the vehicle charging system to recover before
continuing to winch.
CAUTION!
Be certain the anchor will withstand the load required to
tension the winch rope.
CAUTION!
The winch rope must spool on the winch drum in the
direction indicated on the drum rotation decal on the
winch.
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Understanding The Features Of Your Winch
Winch Components
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1. Motor: The winch motor is powered by the vehicle
charging system.
2. Remote Socket: The remote socket (which will be located
on the bumper assembly) allows the remote control to be
attached to the control pack to allow the winch to func-
tion.
3. Winch Drum With Integral Brake: The winch drum
allows the rope to be stored on the winch and transmits
force to the rope. The winch is equipped with an integral
brake that will stop rotation of the winch drum if the
winch motor is stopped.
4. Synthetic Rope: The synthetic rope allows the winch to
be connected to an anchor to provide a pulling force. This
synthetic rope is highly flexible, lightweight, and it floats.
5. Clutch Lever: The clutch lever allows the winch drum to
be disconnected from the winch motor to allow the rope
to be pulled from the winch by hand.
6. Remote Control: The remote control provides the inter-
face between the winch operator and the winch. The
remote control provides the ability to power the winch in,
out, and stop the winch. To operate the winch, the toggle
switch is pressed down to power the winch in and up to
power the winch out. The winch will stop if the switch is
left in the neutral (center) position.
Fairlead: The hawse fairlead acts as a guide for the synthetic
rope and minimizes damage to the rope.
CAUTION!
If not installed, the hook strap must be placed on the
hook.
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(Continued)
Winch Accessories
The following accessories are necessary to attach the winch
to anchors, change direction of pull, and for safe winching.
Gloves: It is extremely important to wear protective
gloves while operating the winch or handling the
winch rope. Avoid loose fitting clothes or anything
that could become entangled in the rope and other moving
parts.
Snatch/Block Pulley: Used properly, the
multi-purpose snatch block allows you to (1)
increase the winch's pulling power; and (2) change
your pulling direction without damaging the winch rope.
Proper use of the snatch block is covered in "Before You
Pull."
Clevis/D-Shackles: The D-Shackle is a safe means
of connecting the looped ends of cables, straps and
snatch blocks. The shackle's pin is threaded to allow
easy removal.
Tree Trunk Protector: Typically made of tough,
high-quality nylon, it provides the operator an
attachment point for the winch rope to a wide
variety of anchor points and objects, as well as protect living
trees.
Abrasion Sleeve: The abrasion sleeve is provided with the
synthetic rope and must be used with the synthetic rope at all
times to protect the rope from potential abrasion wear. The
sleeve has a loose fit so it can easily be positioned along the
synthetic rope to protect from rough surfaces and sharp
corners.
Operating Your Winch
WARNING!
Failure to observe any of these warnings regarding
proper winch usage may result in severe injury.
• Always use supplied hook strap to hold the hook when
spooling wire rope in or out.
• Never use as a hoist.
• Never use to move persons.
• Never exceed winch or synthetic rope rated capacity.
• Always wear heavy leather gloves when handling the
synthetic rope.
• Never touch synthetic rope or hook while in tension or
under load.
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(Continued)
General Information
Practice using your winch before you get stuck. Some key
points to remember when using your winch are:
• Always take your time to assess the situation and plan
your pull carefully.
• Always take your time when using a winch.
• Use the right equipment for the situation.
• Always wear leather gloves and do not allow the synthetic
rope to slip through your hands when handling the rope.
• Only the operator should handle the synthetic rope and
remote control.
• Think safety at all times.
• Never engage or disengage clutch if winch is under
load, synthetic rope is in tension, or rope drum is
moving.
• Always stand clear of synthetic rope and load and keep
others away during winching.
• Always keep hands and clothing clear of the synthetic
rope, hook and fairlead opening during operation and
when spooling.
• Never wrap synthetic rope back onto itself. Always use
a choker chain, wire choker rope or tree trunk protector
on the anchor.
• Never attach a recovery strap to the winch hook to
increase the length of a pull.
• Never attempt to tow a vehicle with the recovery strap
attached directly to the winch hook.
• Never use bungee or kinetic straps that develop
tremendous and potentially dangerous amounts of
force when stretched.
• Always disconnect the remote control when not in use.
• Never winch when there are less than 10 wraps of
synthetic rope around the winch drum.
WARNING! (Continued)
• Always pass remote control through a window to avoid
pinching lead in door, when using remote inside a
vehicle.
• Never leave the remote control plugged into the winch
while free spooling, rigging or sitting idle.
WARNING! (Continued)
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(Continued)
Vehicle Recovery Using The Winch
1. Inspect the winch, winch mount, and synthetic rope for
damage. Do not use the winch if the mount is loose or
rope shows excessive wear, frays, or damage.
Winch Rope
2. Put on gloves.
CAUTION!
• Always know your winch: Take the time to fully read
and understand the included Installation and Opera-
tions Guide, and Basic Guide to Winching Techniques,
in order to understand your winch and the winching
operation.
• Always inspect winch installation and synthetic rope
condition before operating the winch. Frayed, kinked
or damaged rope must be replaced immediately. Loose
or damaged winch installation must be corrected
immediately.
• Always be sure any element which can interfere with
safe winching operations is removed prior to initiating
winching.
• Always keep remote control lead clear of the drum,
synthetic rope and rigging.
• Inspect for cracks, pinches, frayed rope, or loose
connections. Replace if damaged.
• Be careful not to pull the winch rope collar through the
rollers. Watch and listen to winch for proper snugness.
• Never power hook through fairlead. Could cause
damage.
CAUTION! (Continued)
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3. Disengage the clutch to allow free spooling of the winch
drum, rotate the clutch lever on the winch to disengage.
Freespooling conserves battery power.
Free Spool Lever
4. Free the winch hook and attach the hook strap. Free the
winch hook from its anchor point. Attach the hook strap
to the hook (if not attached).
Hook Strap
WARNING!
• Never touch winch rope or hook while someone else is
at the control switch or during winching operation.
• Never touch winch rope or hook while under tension or
under load.
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5. Pull the wire to the anchor point. Pull out enough wire
rope to reach your anchor point. To prevent losing the
end, hold the hook strap while you work.
Pulling Synthetic Rope
6. Secure to the anchor point. Once you have established
your anchor point, secure the tree-trunk protector or
choker-chain around the object.
Tree Trunk Protector
CAUTION!
Always be certain the anchor you select will withstand
the load.
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NOTE:
How to choose an anchor point: A secure anchor is critical to
winching operations. An anchor must be strong enough to
hold while winching. Natural anchors include trees, stumps
and rocks. Hook the cable as low as possible. If no natural
anchors are available when recovering another vehicle, your
vehicle becomes the anchor point. In this case, be sure to put
the transmission in NEUTRAL, apply the hand brake and
block its wheels to prevent your vehicle from moving.
Ideally, you'll want an anchor point that will enable you to
pull straight in the direction the vehicle will move. This
allows the synthetic rope to wind tightly and evenly onto the
spooling drum. An anchor point as far away as possible will
provide the winch with its greatest pulling power.
7. Attach the Clevis/D-shackle and Tree Trunk Protector.
Attach the shackle to the two ends of the strap or chain
and through the hook, being careful not to over tighten
(tighten and back-off 1/2 turn).
Clevis/D-Shackles
8. Lock the clutch. Lock the winch drum by rotating the
clutch lever on the winch to engage.
NOTE:
Always ensure the clutch is fully engaged or disengaged.
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9. Connect the remote control to the winch control box,
located on the front bumper. Be careful not to let the
remote control cord dangle in front of the winch. If you
choose to control the winch from inside your vehicle,
always pass the remote through a window to avoid
pinching the cord in the door. Always disconnect the
remote control when not in use.
Winch Box Remote Control Connector
10. Put synthetic rope under tension. Using the remote
control switch, slowly wind the rope until no slack
remains. Once the rope is under tension, stand well clear
of it and never step over it.
Pulling Synthetic Rope Under Tension
11. Check your anchor. Make sure all connections are
secured and free of debris before continuing with the
winching procedure.
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12. Check synthetic rope. The rope should be neatly wound
around the spooling drum. Improper winding can cause
damage to the synthetic rope.
Synthetic Rope Neatly Wound Around The Spooling
Drum
Heavy Blanket Over Rope
In certain situations you may decide to throw a heavy
blanket or similar object over the rope. A heavy blanket
can absorb energy should the synthetic rope break. Place
it on the rope midway between the winch and the anchor
point. Do this before the rope is put under tension. Do not
approach or move the blanket once tension is applied. Do
not allow it to get pulled into the fairlead. If it is necessary
to move or remove the blanket, slack the tension on the
rope first.
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