must install extended mirrors. It is important
that you
always have clear vision to the rear.
A WARNING
-
After removing the tra iler hitch, do not
store it in your vehicle. In case of sudden
braking , the hitch could fly forward and in-
jure you or your passengers .
Operating instructions
Maximum trailer weight
A trailer for your vehicle is limited to a typica l
class 1 or class 2 trailer.
Trailer load distribut ion
Be sure the load in the trai ler is he ld sec urely
in place to guard aga inst shift ing, be it for-
ward, backward or sideways.
Never allow a passenger to ride in a trailer
~ &. in Driving instructions on page 176 .
Tire pressure
When tow ing a tra iler, inflate the ti res of your
vehicle to the cold tire pressure listed under
"Full load" on the sticker on the right door -
jamb . Inflate trai ler ti res to trai ler and tire
manufacturers' specifications.
Lights
The headlig ht setti ngs should be checked with
the trailer attached before driving off. Adjust
as necessary so that you can see the road
ahead but not blind oncoming traff ic.
Check prope r working of vehicle and t railer
lights.
Safety chains
Be sure tra iler safe ty cha ins are properly con-
nected from the t railer to the hitch on t he ve-
hicle. Leave enough slack in the chains to per-
mit turning corners . Whe n you install safe ty
chains, make sure they will not drag on the
road when you are driving .
The chains shou ld cross under t he tra iler
tongue to prevent it from droppi ng in case of
separat ion from the hitch.
Trailer towin g 175
Driving instructions
Driving with a trailer always requires extra
care and consideration .
To obtain the best possible handli ng of vehicle
and trailer, please note the following:
... Do not tow a loaded trailer when you r car it-
self is not loaded .
... Be especially caref ul when pass ing other ve-
hicles .
... Obse rve speed limits .
... Do not drive at the maximum permissib le
speed.
... Always app ly brakes ear ly .
... Monitor th e tempe rature gauge.
Weight distribution
Towing a loaded t railer with an em pty car re-
sults in a highly unstab le distrib ution of
weig ht. If th is cannot be avoided drive at very
low speed s on ly to avoid t he risk of losi ng
stee ring cont rol.
A "ba lanced " rig is easier to operate and con-
trol. This means t hat the tow vehicle should
be loade d to t he exten t possible and per miss i-
ble while keep ing t he trailer as light as possi -
ble under the circumstances . Wheneve r poss i-
ble, transfe r some cargo to the lugga ge com-
partment of the tow vehicle while obse rving
tong ue load requ irements and vehicle load ing
consideratio ns.
Speed
The higher t he speed, the mo re difficult it be-
comes for the driver to contro l the rig. Do not
drive at the maximum permissib le speed. Re-
duce your speed even more under unfavo rable
load, weather or wind conditions - partic ularly
whe n going downhill .
Reduce veh icle speed
immediately if the trail-
er shows t he slig htest sign of swaying.
Do not
try to stop the swaying by accelerating.
Observe speed limits . In some areas speeds
for vehicles tow ing tra ilers are lower than for
regular veh icles .
•
•
To Next Page
Loading...
