SPECIFICATIONS

Common Towing Definitions

The following trailer towing related definitions will assist you in understanding the following information:

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR is the total allowable weight of your vehicle. This includes driver, passengers, cargo and tongue weight. The total load must be limited so that you do not exceed the GVWR.

Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)

The Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or temporary) loaded in or on the trailer in its "loaded and ready for operation" condition. The recommended way to measure GTW is to put your fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. The entire weight of the trailer must be supported by the scale.

Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)

The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total permissible weight of your vehicle and trailer when weighed in combination. (Note that GCWR ratings include a 68 kg (150 lbs) allowance for the presence of a driver).

Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

The Gross Axle Weight Rating GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and rear axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear axles evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either front or rear GAWR.

WARNING:

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU DO NOT EXCEED THE MAXIMUM FRONT OR REAR GAWR. A DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION CAN RESULT IF EITHER RATING IS EXCEEDED. YOU COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAVE AN ACCIDENT.

Tongue Weight (TW)

The Tongue Weight (TW) is downward force exerted on the hitch ball by the trailer. In most cases, it should not be less than 10%, or more than 15%, of the trailer load. You must consider this as part of the load on your vehicle.

Frontal Area

The Frontal Area is maximum height and maximum width of the front of a trailer.

Trailer Sway Control

The Trailer Sway Control is a telescoping link that can be installed between the hitch receiver and the trailer tongue that typically provides adjustable friction associated with the telescoping motion to dampen any unwanted trailer swaying motions while traveling.

Weight-Carrying Hitch

A Weight-Carrying Hitch supports the trailer tongue weight, just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or some other connecting point of the truck. These kind of hitches are the most popular on the market today and they're commonly used to tow small- and medium-sized trailers.

Weight-Distributing Hitch

A Weight-Distributing Hitch includes a receiver attached to the tow vehicle, plus a removable hitch head and spring bar assembly that fits into the receiver opening and hook up brackets that connect the spring bars to the trailer frame.

Trailer Hitch Classification

The following chart provides the industry standard for the maximum trailer weight a given trailer hitch class can tow and should be used to assist you in selecting the correct trailer hitch for your intended towing condition. Refer to the Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings) chart for the Max. GTW towable for your given drivetrain.

All trailer hitches should be professionally installed on your vehicle.

Trailer Towing Weights (Maximum Trailer Weight Ratings)

The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.

NOTE: The trailer tongue weight must be considered as part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo and should never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire and Loading Information placard. Refer to the Tire Safety Information Section of this manual.

Trailer and Tongue Weight

Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels, or heavier in the rear, can cause the trailer to sway severely from side to side which will cause loss of control of vehicle and trailer. Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of many trailer accidents.

Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on your bumper or trailer hitch.

Consider the following items when computing the weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:

• The tongue weight of the trailer
• The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment put in or on your vehicle
• The weight of the driver and all passengers

NOTE: Remember that everything put into or on the trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional factory-installed options, or dealer-installed options, must be considered as part of the total load on your vehicle. Refer to the Tire and Loading Information placard in the Tire Safety Information Section of this manual for the maximum combined weight of occupants and cargo for your vehicle.

Towing Requirements

To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drivetrain components the following guidelines are recommended:

CAUTION:

• Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles (805 km) of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage your vehicle.
• During the first 500 miles (805 km) of trailer towing, limit your speed to 50 mph (80 km/h).

When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR, or GCWR, ratings.

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 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, transmission, 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 automatic transmission in P for Park. With a manual transmission, shift the transmission into reverse. 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:
• GVWR
• GTW
• GAWR
• 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 the Tires–General Information section of this manual on Tire Pressures for proper tire inflation procedures.
• Also, check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pressures before trailer usage.
• Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage before towing a trailer. Refer to the Tires–General Information section of this manual on Tread Wear Indicators for the proper inspection procedure.
• When replacing tires refer to the Tires–General Information section of this manual on Replacement Tires for proper tire replacement 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 controller is required when towing a trailer with electronically actuated brakes. When towing a trailer equipped with a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic brake controller is not required.
• Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 1,000 lbs. (450 kg) and required for trailers in excess of 2,000 lbs. (907 kg).

CAUTION:

If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg) loaded, it should have its own brakes and they should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.

WARNING:

DO NOT CONNECT TRAILER BRAKES TO YOUR VEHICLE'S HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES. IT CAN OVERLOAD YOUR BRAKE SYSTEM AND CAUSE IT TO FAIL. YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE BRAKES WHEN YOU NEED THEM AND YOU COULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT.

TOWING ANY TRAILER WILL INCREASE YOUR STOPPING DISTANCE. WHEN TOWING, YOU SHOULD ALLOW FOR ADDITIONAL SPACE BETWEEN YOUR VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Towing Requirements — Trailer Lights & Wiring

Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size, stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are required for motoring safety.

The Trailer Tow Package may include a 4 and 7 pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness and connector.

NOTE: Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles wiring harness.

The electrical connections are all complete to the vehicle but you must mate the harness to a trailer connector. Refer to the following illustrations.

Towing Tips

Before setting out on a trip, practice turning, stopping and backing the trailer in an area away from heavy traffic.

If using a manual transmission vehicle for trailer towing, all starts must be in FIRST gear to avoid excessive clutch slippage.

Towing Tips — Electronic Speed Control (if equipped)

• Don't use in hilly terrain or with heavy loads.
• When using the speed control, if you experience speed drops greater than 10 mph (16 km/h), disengage until you can get back to cruising speed.
• Use speed control in flat terrain and with light loads to maximize fuel efficiency.

Towing Tips — Cooling System

To reduce potential for engine and transmission overheating, take the following actions:

• City Driving - When stopped for short periods of time, put transmission in Neutral and increase engine idle speed.
• Highway Driving - Reduce speed.
• Air Conditioning - Turn off temporarily.
• Refer to Cooling System Operating information in the Maintenance section of this manual for more information.