Trailer Towing
General Towing Information
Only use towing equipment that has been designed for the vehicle. Contact your dealer or trailering dealer for assistance with preparing the vehicle for towing a trailer. Read the entire section before towing a trailer. For towing a disabled vehicle, see Towing the Vehicle 0 309. For towing the vehicle behind another vehicle such as a motor home, see Recreational Vehicle Towing 0 310.
Driving Characteristics and Towing Tips Driving with a Trailer
When towing a trailer: . Become familiar with the state
and local laws that apply to trailer towing. These requirements vary from state to state.
. Do not tow a trailer during the first 800 km (500 mi) to prevent damage to the engine, axle, or other parts.
. It is recommended to perform the first oil change before heavy towing.
. Then during the first 800 km (500 mi) of trailer towing, do not drive over 80 km/h (50 mph) and do not make starts at full throttle.
. Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift the transmission to a lower gear if the transmission shifts too often under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
. Do not use Adaptive Cruise Control when towing.
. The Forward Automatic Braking System should be set to Off when towing. See Forward Automatic Braking (FAB) 0 219.
. Turn off Parking Assist when towing.
{ Warning
When towing a trailer, exhaust gases may collect at the rear of the vehicle and enter if the liftgate, trunk/hatch, or rear-most window is open. When towing a trailer: . Do not drive with the liftgate,
trunk/hatch, or rear-most window open.
. Fully open the air outlets on or under the instrument panel.
. Also adjust the climate control system to a setting that brings in only outside air. See “Climate Control Systems” in the Index.
For more information about carbon monoxide, see Engine Exhaust 0 190.
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. The combination you are driving is longer
DRIVING AND OPERATING 231 and not as responsive as the vehicle itself. Get acquainted with the handling and braking of the rig before setting out for the open road. Before starting, check all trailer hitch parts and attachments, safety chains, electrical connectors, lamps, tires, and mirrors. If the trailer has electric brakes, start the combination moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes work. During the trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure and the lamps and any trailer brakes still work.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving the vehicle without a trailer. This can help to avoid heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when towing a trailer. The combination will not accelerate as quickly and is longer,
so it is necessary to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before returning to the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. To move the trailer to the left, move that hand to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible, have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Caution
Making very sharp turns while trailering could cause the trailer to come in contact with the vehicle. The vehicle could be damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make wider turns than normal. Do this so the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance. If the trailer turn signal bulbs burn out, the arrows on the instrument cluster will still flash for turns. It is important to check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before starting down a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission is not shifted down, the brakes might get hot and no longer work well. Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift the transmission to a lower gear if the transmission shifts too often under heavy loads and/or hilly conditions. When towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades, consider the following: Engine coolant will boil at a lower temperature than at normal altitudes. If the engine is turned off immediately after towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades, the vehicle may show signs similar to engine overheating. To avoid this, let the engine run while parked, preferably on level ground,
232 DRIVING AND OPERATING with the automatic transmission in P (Park) for a few minutes before turning the engine off. If the overheat warning comes on, see Engine Overheating 0 253.
Parking on Hills
{ Warning
Parking the vehicle on a hill with the trailer attached can be dangerous. If something goes wrong, the rig could start to move. People can be injured, and both the vehicle and the trailer can be damaged. When possible, always park the rig on a flat surface.
If parking the rig on a hill: 1. Press the brake pedal, but do not
shift into P (Park) yet. Turn the wheels into the curb if facing downhill or into traffic if facing uphill.
2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes until the chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the brake pedal. Then apply the parking brake and shift into P (Park).
5. Release the brake pedal.
Leaving After Parking on a Hill
1. Apply and hold the brake pedal. 2. Start the engine. 3. Shift into a gear. 4. Release the parking brake. 5. Let up on the brake pedal. 6. Drive slowly until the trailer is
clear of the chocks. 7. Stop and have someone pick up
and store the chocks.
Maintenance when Trailer Towing
The vehicle needs service more often when pulling a trailer. See Maintenance Schedule 0 322. Things that are especially important in trailer operation are automatic transmission
fluid, engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system, and brake system. It is a good idea to inspect these before and during the trip. Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.
Trailer Towing
{ Warning
The driver can lose control when pulling a trailer if the correct equipment is not used or the vehicle is not driven properly. For example, if the trailer is too heavy or the trailer brakes are inadequate for the load, the vehicle may not stop as expected. The driver and passengers could be seriously injured. The vehicle may also be damaged; the resulting repairs would not be covered by the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only if all the steps in this section have been followed. Ask your dealer for advice and information about towing a trailer with the vehicle.
DRIVING AND OPERATING 233
Caution
Pulling a trailer improperly can damage the vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered by the vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer correctly, follow the advice in this section and see your dealer for important information about towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Before pulling a trailer, three important considerations have to do with weight: . Weight of the trailer. . Weight of the trailer tongue. . Total weight on your vehicle's
tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be? It should never weigh more than 454 kg (1,000 lb). But even that can be too heavy.
It depends on how the rig is used. For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature, the dimensions of the front of the trailer, and how much the vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important. It can depend on any special equipment on the vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the vehicle can carry. See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue” following. Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming the tow vehicle has the driver, a front seat passenger, all the required tow equipment, and it has all the required trailering equipment. The weight of additional optional equipment, passengers, and cargo in the tow vehicle must be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight. Ask your dealer for trailering information or advice, or write us at our Customer Assistance Offices. See Customer Assistance Offices 0 341.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (1) of any trailer is an important weight to measure because it affects the total gross weight of the
vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo carried in it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. If there are a lot of options, equipment, passengers, or cargo in the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue weight the vehicle can carry, which will also reduce the trailer weight the vehicle can tow. If towing a trailer, the tongue load must be added to the GVW because the vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See Vehicle Load Limits 0 179.
In general, whether a weight-carrying hitch or a weight distributing hitch is being used, the trailer tongue weight (1) should be 10-15 % of the loaded trailer weight (2). Some specific trailer types (especially boat trailers) fall outside of this range. In this case, the recommended tongue weight in the trailer owner’s manual should be observed. In all cases, the maximum loads for the vehicle series and hitch type should not be exceeded. After loading the trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are proper. If they are not, adjustments might be made by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires
Be sure the vehicle's tires are inflated to the upper limit for cold tires. These numbers can be found on the Tire and Loading Information label. See Vehicle Load Limits 0 179. Make sure not to go over the GVW limit for the vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue.
Towing Equipment Hitches
Use the correct hitch equipment. See your dealer or a hitch dealer for assistance. . The rear bumper on the 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.
. Will any holes be made in the body of the vehicle when the trailer hitch is installed? If so, seal the holes when the hitch is removed. If the holes are not sealed, dirt, water, and deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from the exhaust can get into the vehicle. See Engine Exhaust 0 190.
Safety Chains
Always attach chains between the vehicle and the trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue of the trailer to help prevent the tongue from contacting the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Leave
enough slack so the rig can turn. Never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Does the trailer have its own brakes? State and local regulations may require the trailer to have its own braking system if loaded above a certain threshold. Trailer brake requirements vary from state to state. Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes so they are installed, adjusted, and maintained properly. Because the vehicle has antilock brakes, do not tap into the vehicle's brake system. If this is done, both brake systems will not work well or at all
Download Manual