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
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
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.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
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and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.
4-37
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