Jeep Cherokee 2009 Operating Information Manual page 163

WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident.
Follow these guidelines to make your trailer
towing as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and that is will not shift during travel. When
trailering cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic
load shifts can occur that may be difficult for the
driver to control. You could lose control of your
vehicle and have an accident.
• When hauling cargo, or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading
can cause a loss of control, poor performance,
or damage to brakes, axle, engine, transmis-
sion, steering, suspension, chassis structure, or
tires.
• Safety chains must always be used between
your vehicle and trailer. Always connect the
chains to the frame or hook retainers of the
vehicle hitch. Cross the chains under the trailer
tongue and allow enough slack for turning
corners.
• Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. When parking, apply the parking brake
on the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle auto-
matic transmission in PARK. With a manual
160
transmission, shift the transmission into RE-
VERSE. Always, block or chock the trailer
wheels.
• GCWR must not be exceeded.
• Total weight must be distributed between
the tow vehicle and the trailer such that the
following four ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch
utilized (This requirement may limit the ability to
always achieve the 10% to 15% range of
tongue weight as a percentage of total trailer
weight).
Towing Requirements — Tires
− Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a
compact spare tire.
− Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to
the safe and satisfactory operation of your
vehicle. Refer to "Tires–General Information" in
this section for information on tire pressures
and for proper tire inflation procedures.
− Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire infla-
tion pressures before trailer usage.
− Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire
damage before towing a trailer. Refer to "Tires-
–General Information" in this section for infor-
mation on tread wear indicators and for the
proper inspection procedure.
− When replacing tires, refer to "Tires–General
Information" in this section for information on
replacement tires and for the proper tire re-
placement procedures. Replacing tires with a
higher load carrying capacity will not increase
the vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
− Do not interconnect the hydraulic brake system
or vacuum system of your vehicle with that of
the trailer. This could cause inadequate braking
and possible personal injury.
− An electronically actuated trailer brake control-
ler is required when towing a trailer with elec-
tronically actuated brakes. When towing a
trailer equipped with a hydraulic surge actu-
ated brake system, an electronic brake control-
ler is not required.
− Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers
over 1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers
in excess of 2,000 lbs (907 kg).