Safety Chains; Trailer Brakes - Chevrolet 2001 Impala Owner's Manual

Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires
Be sure your vehicle's tires are inflated to the upper
limit for cold tires. You'll find these numbers on the Tire
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Loading Information label, located on the inside of the
trunk lid, or see "Loading Your Vehicle" in the Index.
Then be sure you don't go over the GVW limit for your
vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue.
Hitches
It's important to have the correct hitch equipment.
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:
D
The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended for
hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other
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bumper type hitches to it. Use only a frame
hitch that does not attach to the bumper.
D
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.

Safety Chains

You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains 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 and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.

Trailer Brakes

Does your trailer have its own brakes? Be sure to
read and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes
so you'll be able to install, adjust and maintain
-
mounted
them properly.
D
If your vehicle has anti
tap into your vehicle's brake system. If you do,
both brake systems won't work well, or at all.
D
Even if your vehicle doesn't have anti
don't tap into your vehicle's brake system if the
trailer's brake system will use more than 0.02 cubic
inch (0.3 cc) of fluid from your vehicle's master
cylinder. If it does, both braking systems won't
work well. You could even lose your brakes.
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lock brakes, do not try to
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lock brakes,
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