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.
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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. You
can
ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first
500
miles
(800
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.
If
you
have an automatic transmission, you should use
DRIVE (D) (or, as
you
need to, a lower gear) when
towing
a
trailer. Operating your vehicle in DRIVE (D)
when towing a trailer will minimize heat build-up 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
FIFTH
(5)
gear. Just drive
in
FOURTH
(4)
gear
(or,
as
you need
to,
a
lower gear).
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