Towing a Tmiler
I
If you don't use the correct
equipment and drive properly,
you can lose control when you pull
a trailer. For example, if the trailer
is too heavy, the brakes may not
work well-or even at all. You and
your passengers could be seriously injured. Pull a trailer only if you
have followed all the steps in this
section.
NOTICE
I I; Pulling a trailer improperly can : __
damage your vehicle and result in' ;'
costly repairs not covered by your
follow the advice in this section.
Your Pontiac can tow a trailer, unless it
is equipped with the
3800 Supercharged
Engine (Code
1). Do not attempt to tow
a trailer
if equipped with the 3800
Supercharged Engine (Code 1). 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.
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.
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Pontiac Customer Services Department
One Pontiac Plaza
Pontiac, Michigan 48340-2952
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Assistance Center 1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario,
L1H 8P7
Weight of the nailer Tongue
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 the Index under
Loading Your &hide for more
information about your vehicle’s
maximum load capacity.
If your vehicle is not equipped to tow
a trailer weighing more than
2,000
pounds (900 kg), the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 10% of the total
loaded trailer weight
(B). If your
vehicle
is equipped with the optional
3,000 pound
(1 360 kg) towing
package, and you’re using a “dead-
weight” hitch, the trailer tongue
(A)
should weigh 10% of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B). Or, if you have a
“weight-distributing” hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 12% 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.
185
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