Your vehicle can tow a trailer. 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 section. 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,
transmission, 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:
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.
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Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first
600
miles
(1000
km) your new vehicle is driven. Your
engine, axle or other parts could be damaged.
Never exceed posted towing speed limits or
go
over
45
mph
(72
km/h), whichever is lower and don’t
make starts at full throttle. This helps your engine
and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
If you have an automatic transmission, you can use
THIRD
(3)
(or, as you need
to,
a lower gear) when
towing a trailer. Operating your vehicle in
THIRD
(3)
when towing a trailer will minimize heat
buildup and extend the life of your transmission.
If
you have a manual transmission and you
are towing a trailer, it’s better not
to
use the
highest gear.
Three important considerations have
to
do with weight:
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the weight of the trailer,
the weight of the trailer tongue
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and the weight on your vehicle’s tires.
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