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Hitching up your trailer is something that will become almost second nature with practice. Proper
training on connecting your trailer to a tow vehicle is essential for safety. Please see your dealer
or other qualified personnel for instruction on the proper hitching of your trailer. Use of safety
chains on the hitch is mandatory.
Towing Tips
We want every owner to be a safe and courteous driver. A few hours of towing practice in a large
empty supermarket lot will make pulling your trailer over the road much easier. Line up two
corners for practising left and right turns. You may also use these corners to practise backing and
parking.
Note that the tracks made by the trailer wheels are distinctly different from those made by the
tow vehicle. Studying this will make it easier for you to correct mistakes. Truck or trailer type
fender or door-grip rear-view mirrors are a must for maximum visibility.
After thoroughly inspecting your hitch, brakes, and tires you should be ready to tow. Check traffic,
signal that you are about to pull away, and start slowly. Look often in your mirrors, and observe
the action of the trailer, then carefully move into the proper lane of traffic. Remember that the
trailer wheels will not follow the path of the tow vehicle wheels; therefore, wider turns are
necessary when turning to the left or to the right.
Brake controller is activated when you apply the brakes of the tow vehicle. Your tow vehicle
brakes will automatically apply the trailer brakes first when properly adjusted. This will help keep
your tow vehicle and trailer in a straight line and make you stop as if you were driving the tow
vehicle alone. If swaying or swerving should occur, briefly operating the controller separate from
the vehicle brakes may help correct the situation. Practise this maneuver on a clear highway or
deserted parking lot. Don’t wait for an emergency and then grope for the controller.
When trailering you might encounter a temporary cooling system overload during severe
conditions, such as hot days when pulling on a long grade, when slowing down after higher speed
driving, or driving long idle periods in traffic jams. If the hot indicator light comes on, or the
temperature gauge indicates overheating and you have your air conditioner turned on, turn it off.
Pull over in a safe place and put on your emergency brake. Don’t turn off the engine. Increase the
engine idle speed. Lift the engine hood and check for fluid leaks at the radiator overflow outlet.
Check to see that all drive belts are intact and the radiator fan is turning. If you have a problem,
have it fixed at the next opportunity. If there is no problem, the light should go off or temperature
should come down within one minute. Proceed on the highway a little slower. Ten minutes later
resume normal driving.
DANGER: NEVER
OPEN
A
RADIATOR
CAP
WHEN
THE
TOW
VEHICLE
IS
HOT.
CHECK
THE
COOLANT
LEVEL
WHEN
THE
VEHICLE
IS
COOL.
When going downhill in dry weather, down shift so that engine compression will slow the whole
rig down. Take dips and depressions in the road slowly and do not resume normal driving speeds
until you are sure that the trailer wheels are clear of the dip.
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