Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated
to
the upper
limit
for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the
Certification label at the rear edge of the driver’s door or
see ”Tire Loading”
in
the Index. Then be sure
you
don’t
weight of the trailer tongue.
c?
”0
over
the
GVW
limit
for your vehicle, including the
Hitches
It‘s
important to have
the
correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are
a
few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are
some rules to follow:
0
If
you use
a
step-bumper hitch, your’bumper could
be damaged
in
sharp turns. Make sure you have
ample room when turning to avoid contact between
the trailer and the bumper.
0
If
you’ll be pulling
a
trailer that, when loaded,
will
weigh more than the capacity stamped on your step
bumper, be sure to use a properly mounted,
weight-distributing hitch and sway control
of
the
proper size. This equipment is very important for
proper vehicle loading and good handling when
you’re driving.
0
Will
you have
to
make any holes
in
the body of
your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch?
If you
do,
then be sure to seal the holes later when
you
remove the hitch.
If
you don’t seal them, deadly
carbon monoxide
(CO)
from
your exhaust can get
into your vehicle (see “Carbon Monoxide”
in
the
Index). Dirt
and
water can, too.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer.
Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of
the trailer
so
that the tongue
will
not drop
to
the road
if
it
becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided
by
the hitch
manufacturer
or
by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and
do
not attach them
to
the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so
you can
turn
with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains
to
drag on
the
ground.
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