If You Do Decide to Pull a Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
• 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 will be driving.
A good source for this information can be state
or provincial police.
• Consider using a sway control. See “Hitches”
later in this section.
• Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(805 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged. The
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
• Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that you
tow a trailer, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at full throttle. This
helps your engine and other parts of your
vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
• You may want to shift the transmission to a lower
gear selection if the transmission shifts too often
(e.g., under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions).
Using a lower gear will minimize heat buildup
and extend the life of your transmission.
• Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.
Do not 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.
• Do not tow a trailer when the outside temperature
is above 100°F (38°C).
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
• the weight of the trailer
• the weight of the trailer tongue
• and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires
4-32
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