Essential Towing Checks - Lincoln 2015 MKC Owner's Manual

ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS

Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
• Do not tow a trailer until you drive
your vehicle at least 1000 miles (1600
kilometers).
• Consult your local motor vehicle laws
for towing a trailer.
• See the instructions included with
towing accessories for the proper
installation and adjustment
specifications.
• Service your vehicle more frequently
if you tow a trailer. See your
scheduled maintenance information.
• If you use a rental trailer, follow the
instructions the rental agency gives
you.
You can find information on load
specification terms found on the tire
label and Safety Compliance label as
well as instructions on calculating your
vehicle's load in the Load Carrying
chapter. See Load Limit (page 230).
MKC (TME), enUSA
Towing
Remember to account for the trailer
tongue weight as part of your vehicle
load when calculating the total vehicle
weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps
onto the bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of
the total trailer weight is on the tongue.
Safety Chains
Note: Never attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the
hook retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the trailer's safety chains,
cross them under the trailer tongue and
allow enough slack for turning tight
corners. Do not allow the chains to drag
on the ground.
I n f o r ma t i o n P r o v i d e d b y :
241
Trailer Brakes
WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to your
vehicle's brake system. Your vehicle may
not have enough braking power and
your chances of having a collision
greatly increase.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic
or surge-type trailer brakes are safe if
you install them properly and adjust
them to the manufacturer's
specifications. The trailer brakes must
meet local and federal regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Separate functioning brake systems
are required for safe control of towed
vehicles and trailers weighing more
than 1500 pounds (680 kilograms)
when loaded.