Page 180 of 339
Your Driving and the Road
Your Geo can tow a trailer. To identify
what the vehicle trailering capacity is for
your vehicle, you should read the
information
in “Weight of the Trailer”
that appears later in
this section. But
trailering is different than just driving
your vehicle by itself. 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 section.
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.
9 178
Load-pulling components such as the
engine, transmission, 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.
All
of that means changes in:
Handling
Durability
Fuel economy
If You Do Decide to Pull a Trailer
If you do, here are some important
points.
There are many different laws 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.
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.
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Page 182 of 339
Your Driving and the Road
L
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
... 180
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because
it affects the total gross
weight of your vehicle. The gross
vehicle weight (GVW) 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 add
the tongue load to
the GVW 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. The trailer
tongue (A) should weigh
10%
of the total loaded trailer weight
(B). 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 won’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.
Here are some rules to follow:
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
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Page 254 of 339
Service & Appearance Care
Loading Your Vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how
much weight
it may properly carry. The
Tire-Loading Information label found on
the driver’s door lock pillar tells you the
proper size, speed rating and
recommended inflation pressures for the
tires on your vehicle. It also gives you
important information about the number
of people that can be in your vehicle and
the total weight that you can carry. This
weight is called the Vehicle Capacity
Weight and includes the weight of all
occupants, cargo, and all
nonfactory-installed options. The other
label is the Certification label,
11
found on the rear edge of the driver’s
door. It tells you the gross weight
capacity of your vehicle, called the
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating).
The GVWR includes the weight of the
vehicle, all occupants, fuel and cargo.
Never exceed the GVWR for your
vehicle, or the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) for either the front or
rear axle.
And, if you do have a heavy load, you
should spread it out. Don’t carry more
than
900 pounds (408 kilograms) in your
rear area.
1
CAUTION
Do not load your vehicle any
heavier than the GVWR or
the
maximum front and rear I
GAWRs. If you do, parts on you]
vehicle can break, or it can chang
the way your vehicle handles.
These could cause you to lose
control. Also, overloading can
shorten the life of your vehicle.
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