After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see
if
the weights
are proper.
if
they aren’t, you may be able to get them
right simply by moving some items around in the
trailer.
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
Tire-Loading Information label at the rear edge of the
driver’s door or see
Loading
Your
Vehicle on page
4-34.
Then be sure you don’t go over the GVW limit for
your vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue.
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:
The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended for
hitches.
Do
not attach rental hitches
or
other
bumper-type hitches to it. Use only a
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to the
bumper.
0
Will you have to make any holes in the body OT
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
Engine Exhaust
on
page
2-33.
Dit-! and water can also
enter
the
vehicle.
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.
4-39
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