Towing A Trailer 3 - Saab 9-3 Owner's Manual

93_US_MY09.book Page 188 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 10:30 AM
188 Starting and driving

Towing a trailer 3

WARNING
• Do not drive with a trailer on inclines
steeper than 15 %. The load on the
drive (front) wheels will be so low that
the wheels can start to spin and pre-
vent further progress.
• In addition, the car's parking brake
may not always be sufficient to hold
the car and trailer securely, as the
wheels may start to slide.
• Always apply the trailer's parking
brake when unhitching it. There is oth-
erwise a risk of personal injury or
damage to the bumper should the
trailer start to roll.
• When you hitch up the trailer be sure
to attach its safety chains to the holes
by the hitch.
Make sure you are familiar with the legal
requirements regarding speed limits for
towing, maximum trailer weights, trailer
braking requirements, and also any spe-
cial driving licence provisions.
Trailer hitch attachment 3
Trailer hitch attachments are available as
accessories. These are designed for a max-
imum trailer weight of 3500 lbs (1588 kg),
with trailer brakes.
The towbar must not be installed on certain
models. Contact an authorised Saab dealer
for information.
An electrical connection 3 for the towbar
and an electrical unit are provided in the
electrical center on the left-hand side of the
luggage compartment.
If the car has a 13-pin Saab genuine electri-
cal socket then it is possible to supply a
trailer/caravan with rear fog lights and
reversing lights. The caravan can also have
interior and exterior lighting even when the
car's ignition is switched off. In which case,
remember not to load the battery for too
long so that it is discharged and pre-
vents the car from starting.
There is also access to power in the caravan
during a journey, the caravan battery can be
charged for example.
Also, if the car has SPA, this is deactivated
automatically if a trailer is hitched up and
correctly connected to the Saab genuine
trailer socket.
Saab recommendations:
• Use a genuine Saab trailer hitch that is
designed and tested for your Saab.