Ford 1996 Crown Victoria Manual page 208

Preparing to Tow
For your safety and for the good of your
vehicle, use the right equipment for the type of
trailer you tow. Also, make sure that all towing
equipment is properly attached to your vehicle.
If you are not certain that you are using the
right equipment in the proper manner, see your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
Do not use hitches that clamp onto your
vehicle's bumper. The bumper is not designed to
bear the load.
Always check the pressure in all your vehicle's
tires when preparing to tow (see inflation
recommendation on the tire label).
Using the hitch
Your vehicle uses one of two types of hitches
(Class III hitch is an option available in Canada
only), depending on how much your trailer
weighs. The Class I hitch will allow you to tow
a trailer weighing up to 2,000 lbs. (907 kg.).
Because this type of hitch places the tongue load
of a trailer on the rear wheels of your vehicle,
you must distribute the load in your trailer so
that only 10 to 15% of the total weight of the
trailer is on the tongue.
A Class III hitch and the optional trailer tow III
package (option available in Canada only) will
allow you to tow a trailer weighing up to to
5,000 lbs. (2,270 kg). This type of hitch
distributes the tongue load of a trailer evenly
between the front and rear wheel of your vehicle
and the trailer wheels.
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