Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with the
proper trailer towing equipment.
To
identify what the
vehicle trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you
should read the information in “Weight of the Trailer’’
that appears later in this section. But trailering is
different than just driving your vehicle by itself.
Trailering means changes in handling, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment, and
it
has
to
be used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers.
So
please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as
the
engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag of the added weight. The engine is
required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the
pulling requirements.
If
You
Do
Decide
To
Pull
A
Trailer
If you
do,
here are some important points:
0
0
0
0
0
There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you’ll be driving.
A
good source for
this
information can be state or provincial police.
Consider using a sway control
if
your trailer will
weigh
2,000
lbs.
(900
kg)
or less. You should always
use a sway control if your trailer will weigh more
than
2,000
lbs.
(900
kg).
You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first
1,000
miles
(1
600
km)
your new vehicle
is
driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first
500
miles
(800
km)
that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over
50
mph
(80
km/h)
and
don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts
of
your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
Obey speed limit restrictions when towing
a
trailer.
Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speed
for trailers (or no more than
55
mph
(90
km/h))
to
save wear on your vehicle’s parts.
4-33
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