Owner`s manual
Your
Driving
and
the
Road
A
B
Weight
of
the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total capacity
weight of your vehicle. The capacity
weight includes the curb weight of the
vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it.
and the people who will be riding in
the vehicle. And if you will tow a
trailer, you must subtract the tongue
load from your vehicle’s capacity
weight because your vehicle will be
carrying that weight, too. See
“Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index
for more information about your
vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
If you’re using a “dead-weight’’
hitch, the trailer tongue
(A)
should
.
.I44
weight
10%
of the total loaded
trailer
weight
(B).
If
you have a
“weight-distributing” hitch,
the
trailer tongue (A) should weigh 12%
of the total loaded trailer weight
(B).
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 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.
Hitches
It’s important
to
have the correct hitch
zquipment. 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:
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.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not
intended for hitches.
Do
not attach
rental hitches or other bumper-type
hitches to them. Use only a
frame-mounted hitch that does not
attach to the bumper.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between
your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the
safety chdins 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. Always leave just enough slack
so
you can
turn
with your rig. And, never
allow safety chains to drag on the ground.