Towing A Trailer - MG ZR Series Owner's Manual

TOWING A TRAILER

NOTE: Towing regulations vary from country to country. It is very
important to ensure that national regulations governing towing weights and
speed limits are observed (refer to the relevant national motoring
organisation for information). The maximum permissible towed weights
quoted in 'Technical Data', refer to the car's design limitations and NOT
to any specific territorial restriction (see 'TOWING WEIGHTS',
page 187).
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It is the driver's responsibility to ensure that car and trailer are
loaded and balanced so that the combination is stable when in
motion. When preparing your car for towing, pay careful attention
to the trailer manufacturer's recommendations and also follow the
guidelines below:
• Ensure that the car tyre pressures are correct for towing and that
the trailer tyre pressures are as recommended by the trailer
manufacturer.
• Check the operation of trailer brakes and lights.
Towing
• For maximum stability, ensure that trailer loads are properly
secured and unable to shift position during transit. Also,
position loads so that most of the weight is placed close to the
floor and, where possible, immediately above or close to the
trailer axle(s).
• After loading the trailer, check that the weight on the tow hitch
point (this is also called the draw-bar loading weight, or nose
weight), does not exceed 70 kg.
• Where the load weight can be divided between trailer and tow
vehicle, loading more weight into the vehicle will generally
improve the stability of the combination.
• The car's maximum rear axle weight and maximum gross train
weight (see 'WEIGHTS (Saloon models)', page 183) must not be
exceeded, when the trailer is attached and any passengers or
luggage are in place inside the car. For high trailer weights, this
may require passengers and/or luggage to be removed from the
car.
Ensure that the maximum vehicle laden weight and maximum
rear axle weight are not exceeded.
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