Toyota 2003 Avalon Service Manual page 269

BRAKES AND SAFETY CHAINS
D
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes
that conform to any applicable federal
and state/provincial regulations.
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A safety chain must always be used
between the towing vehicle and the
trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the
chain for turns. The chain should cross
under the trailer tongue to prevent the
tongue from dropping to the ground in
case it becomes damaged or sepa-
rated. For correct safety chain proce-
dures, follow the hitch or trailer
manufacturer's recommendations.
CAUTION
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If the total trailer weight exceeds
453 kg (1000 lb.), trailer brakes are
required.
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Never tap into your vehicle's hy-
draulic system as it would lower its
braking effectiveness.
230
'03 AVALON U (L/O 0206)
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Never tow a trailer without using a
safety chain securely attached to
both the trailer and the vehicle. If
damage occurs to the coupling unit
or hitch ball, there is danger of the
trailer wandering over into another
lane.
TIRES
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Ensure that your vehicle's tires are
properly inflated. See Section 7−2 and
Section 8 for instructions.
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The trailer tires should be inflated to
the pressure recommended by the trail-
er manufacturer in respect to the total
trailer weight.
TRAILER LIGHTS
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Trailer lights must comply with federal,
state/provincial and local regulations.
See your local recreational vehicle
dealer or rental agency for the correct
type of wiring and relays for your trail-
er. Check for correct operation of the
turn signals and stop lights each time
you hitch up. Direct splicing may dam-
age your vehicle's electrical system
and cause a malfunction of your lights.
2003 AVALON (OM41401U)
I n f o r ma t i o n P r o v i d e d b y :
BREAK−IN SCHEDULE
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Toyota recommends that you do not
tow a trailer with a new vehicle or a
vehicle with any new power train com-
ponent (engine, transmission, differen-
tial, wheel bearing, etc.) for the first
800 km (500 miles) of driving.
MAINTENANCE
D
If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will
require more frequent maintenance due
to the additional load. For this informa-
tion, please refer to the scheduled
maintenance information in the "Sched-
uled Maintenance Guide" or "Owner's
Manual Supplement".
D
Retighten all fixing bolts of the towing
ball and bracket after approximately
1000 km (600 miles) of trailer driving.
PRE−TOWING SAFETY CHECK
D
Check that your vehicle remains level
when a loaded or unloaded trailer is
hitched. Do not drive if the vehicle has
an abnormal nose−up or nose−down
condition, and check for improper
tongue load, overload, worn suspension
or other possible causes.