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Trailering means changes in handling, durability and
fuel economy. Successful, safe trailering takes correct
equipment,
and
it has to be used properly.
That's the reason for this part. In it are
many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these
are
important for your safety and that of
your passengers. So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle,
wheel assemblies and tires are forced to work harder
against the drag of the added weight. The engine is
required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under
greater loads, generating extra heat. What's more,
the
trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing
the
pulling requirements.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If
you do, here
are
some important points:
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There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also
where you'll
be
driving. A good source for this
information can be state or provincial police.
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0
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a
Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch
dealer about sway controls.
Don't tow a trailer at all during the first 1
, O O O
miles
(1 600
km)
your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
Then, during the first 500 miles (800
km)
that you
tow a trailer, don't drive over
50
mph (80
km/h)
and
don't make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the
heavier loads.
Obey
speed
limit
restrictions when towing a trailer.
Don't drive faster than the maximum posted speed
for trailers (or no more than 55 mph (90
km/h))
to
save wear on your vehicle's parts.
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
the weight of the trailer,
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the weight of the trailer tongue
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and the total weight on your vehicle's tires.
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