1993 CHEVROLET CAMARO trailer

Consider using a sway control. You
can ask a hitch dealer about sway
controls,
Don’t tow a trailer at all during the
first
500 miles (800 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. Three
important considerations have to do
with weight:
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than
1,500 pounds (680 kg) under normal
driving conditions. It should never
weigh more than
1,000 pounds
(450 kg) when driven on long grades
at high ambient temperatures. But
even that can be too heavy.
It depends on how you plan to use
your rig. For example, speed, altitude,
road grades, outside temperature and
how much your vehicle is used to pull a
trailer are all important. And,
it can
also depend on any special equipment
that you have on your vehicle.
You can ask your dealer for our
trailering information or advice, or
you can write
us at:
Chevrolet Motor Division
Customer Assistance Department
P.O. Box 7047
Troy, MI 48007-7047
In Canada, write to:
General Motors
of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario
LlH 8P7
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Your Driving and the
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure because
it affects the total capacity
weight of your vehicle. The capacity
weight includes the curb weight
of the
vehicle,
any cargo you may carry in it,
and the people who will be riding in
the vehicle. And if you will tow a
trailer, you must subtract the tongue load from your vehicle‘s capacity
weight because your vehicle
will be
carrying that weight, too. See
“Loading Your Vehicle”
in the Index
for more information about your
vehicle’s
maximum load capacity.
Road
The trailer tongue (A) should weigh
10% of the total loaded trailer weight
(E).
After you’ve loaded your trailer,
weigh the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see
if the weights are
proper.
If they aren’t, you may be able
to get them right simply
by moving
some items around
in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are
inflated to the
limit for cold tires.
You’ll
find these numbers on the
Certification label at the rear edge of
the driver’s door (or see “Tire
Loading”
in the Index). Then be sure
you don’t go over
the GVW limit for
your vehicle.
Hitches
It‘s important to have the correct hitch
equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks
going
by. and rough roads are a few
reasons
why you’ll need the right hitch.
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Here are some rules to follow:
0
Will you have to make any holes in
the body of your vehicle when you
install a trailer hitch?
If you do, then
be sure to seal the holes later when
you remove the
hitch. If you don't
seal them, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) from your exhaust can get into
your vehicle (see "Carbon Monoxide"
in the Index). Dirt and water can, too.
The bumpers on your vehicle are not
intended for hitches.
Do not attach
rental hitches or other bumper-type
hitches
to them. Use only a
frame-mounted hitch that does not
attach
to the bumper.
Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between
your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the
safety chains under the tongue
of the
trailer
so that the tongue will not drop to
the road
if it becomes separated from the
hitch. Instructions about safety chains
may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer
manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer's
recommendation for attaching safety
chains. Always leave just enough slack
so
you can turn with your rig. And, never
a Jlow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000
pounds (450 kg) loaded, then it needs its
own brakes
- and they must be adequate.
Be sure
to read and follow the instructions
for the trailer brakes
so you'll be able to
install, adjust and maintain them properly.
Because you have anti-lock brakes, do
not
try to tap into your vehicle's brake
system. If you
do, both brake systems
won't
work well, or at all.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount
of experience. Before setting out for the
open road, you'll want to get to know
your rig. Acquaint yourself
with the feel
of handling and braking with the added
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Your Driving and the Road
178
weight of the trailer. And always keep in
mind that the vehicle you are driving is
now a good deal longer and not nearly so
responsive as your vehicle is by itself,
Before you start, check the trailer hitch
and platform, safety chains, electrical
connector, lights, tires and mirror
adjustment. If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer
moving and then apply the trailer brake
controller by hand
to be sure the brakes
are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection
at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be
sure that the load is secure, and that the
lights and any trailer brakes are still
working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the
vehicle ahead as you would when driving
your vehicle without a trailer. This can
help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up
ahead when you’re towing a trailer. And,
because you’re a good deal longer, you’ll
need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return
to
your lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with one hand. Then, to move the trailer
to the left, just move that hand
to the left.
To move the trailer to the right, move
your hand
to the right. Always back up
slowly and,
if possible, have someone
guide you.
Making Turns
When you’re turning with a trailer, make
wider turns than normal.
Do this so your
trailer won’t strike
soft shoulders, curbs,
road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid
jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well
in
advance.
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Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to
have a different turn signal flasher and
extra wiring. The green arrows on your
instrument panel will flash whenever you
signal a turn or lane change. Properly
hooked up, the trailer lights will also flash,
telling other drivers you’re about to
turn,
change lanes or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows on
your instrument panel will flash for turns
even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned
out. Thus,
you may think drivers behind
you are seeing your signal when they are
not. It’s important to check occasionally to
be sure the trailer bulbs are still working.
Driving on Grades
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear
before you start down a long or steep
downgrade. If
you don’t shift down, you
might have to use your brakes
so much
that they would get hot and no longer work well.
On a long uphill grade, shift down and
reduce your speed to around
45 mph
(70 km/h) to reduce the possibility of
engine and transmission overheating. If you
are towing a trailer and you
have an automatic transmission with
Overdrive, you may prefer to drive
in D
instead of Overdrive (or, as you need to,
a lower gear). Or, if you have a manual
transmission
with fifth (or sixth) gear
and you are towing a trailer, it’s better
not to use
fifth (or sixth) gear. Just drive
in fourth gear (fifth gear
if you have
a six-speed manual transmission)
(or, as you need to, a lower gear.
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Your Driving and the Road
I
180
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle,
with a trailer attached, on a hill. If
something goes wrong, your rig could
start to move. People can be injured, and
both your vehicle and the trailer can be
damaged.
But if you ever have to park your rig on a
hill, here's how to do it:
1. Apply your regular brakes, but don't
shift into
P (Park) yet, or into gear for
a manual transmission.
2. Have someone place chocks under the
trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel chocks are in place,
release the regular brakes-until the
chocks absorb the load.
4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then
apply your parking brake, and then shift to
P (Park), or R (Reverse) for
a manual transmission.
5. Release the regular brakes.
When You Are Ready to Leave after
Parking on
a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold
the pedal down while you:
0 Start your engine;
0 Shift into a gear; and
0 Release the parking brake.
2. Let up on the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear
4. Stop and have someone pick up and
of the chocks.
store the chocks.
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Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often
when you're pulling a trailer. See the
Maintenance Schedule for more on this.
Things that are especially important
in
trailer operation are automatic
transmission
fluid (don't overfill), engine
oil, axle lubricant. belts. cooling system,
and brake adjustment. Each of these is
covered
in this manual, and the Index will
help you find them quickly. If you're
trailering, it's
a good idea to review these
sections before
you start your trip.
Check periodically to see that all hitch
nuts
and bolts are tight.
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Problems on the Road
If Steam Is Coming from Your Engine:
W1Ldr-W II LUU I ILJN.'
Steam from an overheated engine can bum you badly, even if you just open
k the hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from
x. Just turn it off and get everyone away from the vehicle until it cools down.
Wait
until there is no sign of steam or coolant before opening the hood.
If you keep driving when your engine is overheated, the liquids in it can catch
fire. You or others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if it overheats, and
get out of the vehicle until the engine is cool,
... 194
11 your engine catches fire because
I you keep driving with no coolant,
I1
E
I1
h
tC
a
0
a
a
your vehicle can be badly damaged
The
costly repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
F No Steam Is Coming from Your
hgine:
'you get the overheat warning but see or
ear
no steam, the problem may not be
)o serious. Sometimes the engine can get
little too
hot when you:
Climb a long hill on a hot day.
Stop after high speed driving.
1 Idle for long periods in traffic.
1 Tow a trailer.
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