If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer; Weight Of The Trailer - Cadillac 2005 DeVille Owner's Manual

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. You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
•
Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles
(1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
•
Then, during the first 500 miles (800 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.
•
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.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
•
The weight of the trailer
•
The weight of the trailer tongue
•
The total weight on your vehicle's tires
4-38

Weight of the Trailer

How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For example,
speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and
how much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all
important. And, it can also depend on any special
equipment that you have on your vehicle.
It should never weigh more than 2,000 lbs (900 kg).
These are total maximum weights including the load. But
even that can be too heavy.
The maximum trailer weight for your vehicle can be
determined from the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight
(GCVW). The GCVW = curb weight + passenger's
weight + cargo weight + trailer weight. The GCVW
should never be more than 7,200 lbs (3 273 kg).
You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at:
Cadillac Customer Assistance Center
Cadillac Motor Car Division
P.O. Box 33169
Detroit, MI 48232-5169
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7