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 “Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index. 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:
0
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 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.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than
1,000
lbs.
(450
kg)
loaded, then
it
needs
its
own brakes
--
and they
must
be adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions
for the trailer brakes
so
you’ll be able to install, adjust
and
maintain them properly. Because
you
have anti-lock
brakes, do not try to tap into your vehicle’s brake
system. If you do, both brake systems won’t work
well, or at all.
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