Toyota HILUX 2008 Owner's Manual page 200

Total trailer weight Tongue load
Tongue load
× 100 = 9 to 11%
Total trailer weight
The trailer cargo load should be
D
distributed so that the tongue load
is 9 to 11% of the total trailer
weight, not exceeding the maximum
load of 225 kg (496 lb.).
Never load the trailer with more
D
weight in the back than in the
front. About 60% of the trailer load
should be in the front half of the
trailer and the remaining 40% in the
rear.
HITCHES
Use only a hitch which is recom-
D
mended by the hitch manufacturer and
conforms to the total trailer weight re-
quirement.
Follow the directions supplied by the
D
hitch manufacturer, and bolt the hitch
securely to the vehicle. Lubricate the
hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
Toyota recommends removing
D
tongue whenever you are not towing a
trailer to reduce the possibility of addi-
tional damage caused if your vehicle is
struck from behind.
If removing the hitch assembly, seal
D
any mounting holes in the vehicle body
to prevent entry of pollutants such as
exhaust fumes, dirt, water, etc.
NOTICE
Do not use axle−mounted hitches as
they can cause damage to the axle
housing, wheel bearings, wheels or
tires.
BRAKES AND SAFETY CHAINS
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes
D
that conform to any applicable state
law.
Safety chains must always be used be-
D
tween the towing vehicle and the trail-
er. Leave sufficient slack in the chains
for turns. The chains should cross un-
der the trailer tongue to prevent the
tongue from dropping to the ground in
the
case it becomes damaged or the trailer
separates from the vehicle. For correct
safety chains procedures, follow the
hitch or trailer manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
189