Essential Towing Checks
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
- Do not tow a trailer until you drive your vehicle at least 1000 miles (1600 kilometers).
- Consult your local motor vehicle laws for towing a trailer.
- See the instructions included with towing accessories for the correct installation and adjustment specifications.
- Service your vehicle more frequently if you tow a trailer. See Scheduled Maintenance.
- If you use a rental trailer, follow the rental agency's instructions.
Another chapter of this manual contains load specification terms found on the tire label and Safety Compliance label and instructions on calculating your vehicle's load. See Load Limit.
Remember to account for the trailer tongue weight as part of your vehicle load when calculating the total vehicle weight.
Trailer Towing Connector
When attaching the trailer wiring connector to your vehicle, only use a proper fitting connector that works with the vehicle and trailer functions.
Fit the protective cap when the trailer towing connector is not in use. Failure to do so could result in corrosion of the trailer towing connector.
Note: You cannot use a seven-pin trailer wiring connector for your vehicle and the trailer lighting equipment.
| Color | Function |
|---|---|
| Yellow | Left turn signal and stop lamp |
| White | Ground (-) |
| Green | Right turn signal and stop lamp |
| Brown | Running lights |
Hitches
 WARNING: Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of your vehicle and could result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury. WARNING: Do not cut, drill, weld or modify the trailer hitch. Modifying the trailer hitch could reduce the hitch rating. |
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto the bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so that between 10% and 15% of the total trailer weight is on the tongue.
The hitch rating on the trailer hitch label is the maximum possible trailer rating. To find the maximum trailer weight allowed for your vehicle See Recommended Towing Weights. Further information is available in the RV and Trailer Towing Guide. See an authorized dealer.
Safety Chains
Always connect the safety chains to the hook retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross them under the trailer tongue and allow enough slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow the chains to drag on the ground.
Note: Never attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer Brakes
| WARNING: Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic brake system directly to your vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may not have enough braking power and your chances of having a collision greatly increase. |
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you install them correctly and adjust them to the manufacturer's specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and federal regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's braking system operation is at the gross vehicle weight rating, not the gross combined weight rating.
Separate functioning brake systems are required for safe control of towed vehicles and trailers weighing more than 1500 pounds (680 kilograms) when loaded.
Trailer Lamps
| WARNING: Never connect any trailer lamp wiring to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; this may damage the electrical system resulting in fire. Contact your authorized dealer as soon as possible for assistance in proper trailer tow wiring installation. Additional electrical equipment may be required. |
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard warning flashers are working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up to get the feel of your vehicle-trailer combination before starting on a trip. When turning, make wider turns so the trailer wheels clear curbs and other obstacles.
When Towing a Trailer
- Do not drive faster than 70 mph (113 km/h) during the first 500 miles (800 kilometers).
- Do not make full-throttle starts.
- Check the trailer hitch, electrical connections and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly after you have traveled 50 miles (80 kilometers).
- When stopped in congested or heavy traffic during hot weather, place the transmission selector lever in position P to aid engine and transmission cooling and to help A/C performance.
- Turn off the speed control with heavy loads or in hilly terrain. The speed control may turn off automatically when you are towing on long, steep grades.
- When driving down a long or steep hill, if your vehicle is fitted with a SelectShift Automatic® Transmission, use a low gear. See Automatic Transmission - 6-Speed Automatic Transmission. Do not apply the brakes continuously, as they may overheat and become less effective.
- If the transmission is fitted with Grade Assist or a Towing feature, use this feature when towing. This provides engine braking and helps eliminate excessive transmission shifting for optimum fuel economy and transmission cooling.
- If your vehicle has AdvanceTrac with RSC and a heavily loaded trailer is on tow, the system may turn on while taking corners. This is normal. Taking corners at slower speeds can reduce this tendency.
- Allow more distance for stopping with a trailer attached. Anticipate stops and brake gradually.
- Avoid parking on a grade. However, if you must park on a grade:Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from traffic flow.Set the vehicle parking brake.Place the transmission selector lever in position P.Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels. (Chocks not included with vehicle.)
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or Personal Watercraft
Note: Disconnect the trailer wiring connector before the trailer enters the water.
Note: Reconnect the trailer wiring connector after the trailer is removed from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat launching or retrieval:
- Do not allow the static water level to rise above the bottom edge of the rear bumper.
- Do not allow waves to break higher than 6 inches (15 centimeters) above the bottom edge of the rear bumper.
Note: Exceeding these limits may allow water to enter your vehicle or its components, affecting driveability, emissions and reliability. The vehicle warranty may not cover component damage caused by water entry.
Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime the rear axle has been submerged in water. Water may have contaminated the rear axle lubricant, which is not normally checked or changed unless a leak is suspected or other axle repair is required.
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