1994 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD Owners Manual

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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 change them simply by moving some items in
the trailer.
3.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle Tires
Be sure your vehicle tires are inflated to maximum recommended
cold tire pressure. 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).
Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCvmC)
GCVWR = Curb Weight + 2 Passengers + Cargo + Trailer
WHERE: Vehicle Curb Weight
= 4,368 lbs.
2 Passengers = 150 lbs. (Each)
Cargo
= 200 lbs.
+ Safety Factor
How Equipped GCWR
Standard Vehicle Up to 2,000 lbs. (908 kg)
With 5,000 lbs. (2270 kg)
With 7,000 lbs. (3178 kg) Trailer
................................... .7,450
lbs. (3178 kg)
Trailer Tow Option (V92)
.................... 10,800 lbs. (3382 kg)
Trailer Tow Option (V4P)
.................... 12,100 lbs. (5493 kg)
To determine how your Fleetwood is equipped, see the Service Parts
Identification label on the underside
of the trunk lid.
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NOTICE:
Do not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) for your
vehicle.
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r Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large
trucks going by, and rough roads are a few reasons
why you need the right
hitch. Here are some rules to follow:
If you pull a fully loaded trailer that will weigh more than 2,000
pounds
(900 kg), be sure to use a properly mounted,
weight-distributing hitch and sway control of the proper size. This
equipment is very important for proper vehicle loading and good
handling when you’re driving.
Will you have to make any holes in the body of your vehicle when you
install a trailer hitch?
If you do, be sure to seal the holes to prevent
deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust from entering into
your vehicle (see Index under “Carbon Monoxide”).
Don’t let the steel in a hitch contact the aluminum on your bumper. If
you do, the
two will corrode. You can use a insulator such as paint or
plastic tape to separate the steel and aluminum. The same steel to
aluminum corrosion can happen with fasteners, too.
Using A Dead Weight Trailer Hitch
The trailer tongue should weigh 10% of the total trailer load
(maximum 300
lbs.) or as specified by the trailer manufacturer to
minimize sway.
Trailer brakes of adequate size are required on trailers over 1,000 lbs.
(450 kg) loaded weight.
0 If the trailer is over 5,000 lbs. (2270 kg) adjust vehicle rear tire
pressure to (35 psi cold tire pressure).
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NOTICE:
Surge brakes do not function properly if used with most
equalizer hitches.

Trailer Hitching Procedure Using A Weight
Distributing (Equalizing) Hitch
(Recommended for loaded trailers weighing 3,000 lbs. to 7,000 lbs.)
Your vehicle is equipped with an Electronic Level Control (ELC) feature.
When hooking up a trailer using a weight distributing hitch, always use
the following procedure:
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Place the vehicle on a level surface without the trailer hitched. With
the ignition off, and all doors closed, allow the vehicle to level
automatically.
Disable the Electronic Level Control (ELC) by pulling
MAXI@
fuse #9 (30 AMP) from the underhood electrical center located on
the passenger side wheel housing in the engine compartment. Remove
the cover to gain access.
Attach the trailer to the vehicle. The trailer tongue should weight
12%
of the total loaded trailer weight.
Level the vehicle with the load leveling spring bars (equalizers).
Leave the fuse out while towing your trailer.
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NOTICE:
Adjusting an equalizing hitch with the Electronic Level Control \
(ELC) system engaged will defeat the function of the load
equalizing hitch and may cause unsatisfactory handling.
Once you have completed towing your trailer, be sure to reinstall the
Electronic Level Control (ELC) fuse.
In Addition
Use two friction sway controls if your trailer is over 5,000 lbs. .(2270
kg) loaded weight, and/or is. over 24'. long..
0 Use at least one friction sway control if your trailer is over 2,000 lbs.
(908 kg) loaded weight, and consider using one for trailers under
2,000 lbs. (908 kg).
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NOTICE:
Do not use sway control devices on trailers equipped with surge
brakes, i.e. boat trailers. Surge brakes do not function proper\
ly
when used with most sway control devices.
0 Trailer brakes of adequate size are recommended on trailers over
1,000 lbs loaded weight.
If trailer is over 5,000 lbs. (2270 kg), adjust vehicle rear tire pressure
to (35 psi. cold tire pressure).
Use a Reese custom made weight distributing hitch or the equivalent
for your Cadillac Fleetwood. (Reese product part number 36042)
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 allow safety chains to drag
on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg) loaded, it needs to
be equipped with adequate brakes. Be sure to read and follow the
instructions for the trailer brakes
so you’ll be able to maintain them
properly.
Because you have anti-lock brakes, don’t try to tap into your vehicle
hydraulic brake system. If you do, both brake systems won’t work well, or
at all.
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Trailer Wiring Harness
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If your Fleetwood is equipped with one of the heavy duty trailering
options, a
5 wire trailering harness is located in the trunk. You may have
to have it wired to your vehicle.
These trailer harness color codes should be followed when connecting to
your trailer:
White: Direct Trailer Ground for Trailer Lights
Brown: Park Lamps
Yellow: Left Turn and Stop Lamps
Dark Green: Right Tuh and Stop Lights
Dark Blue: Auxiliary Circuit
DRIFTNG WTHA TWLER
Safe trailer towing 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
weight of the trailer. Always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving
is longer and not nearly as responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and safety chains, electrical
connector, lights, tires and mirror adjustment.
If the trailer has electric
brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and apply the trailer brakes
by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This also checks 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 trailer brakes are operating correctly.
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.
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Passing
You’ll need more passing distance ahead when you’re towing a trailer.
Because you’re 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.
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 get hot and no longer work well.
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On a long uphill grade, shift down to a lower gear and reduce your speed
and reduce your speed to around
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the
possibility of engine and transmission overheating.
If your trailer weighs more than
2,000 pounds (908 kg), you should drive
in “D or 3” instead of Overdrive. This allows the torque convertor clutch
to engage and allowing the transmission to run cooler.
Parking on Hills
You really should not park your vehicle, and trailer on a hill. If something
goes wrong your rig could start to move. People can be injured and both
I your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged.
If you eve1 have to park your rig on a hill, here’s how to do it:
Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into “P7, (Park) yet.
I Have someone place chocks (tapered triangular blocks) under the
downhill side the trailer wheels.
When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes until
Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into “P” (Park) and apply the
Release the regular brakes.
the
chocks absorb the load.
parking brake.
When You Are Ready to Leave Afier Parking on a Hill
1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you:
Start your engine;
Shift into a gear; and
Be sure the parking brake has released.
2. Release the brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks.
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4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.

Engine Cooling When Trailering
Your cooling system may temporarily overheat during severe operating
conditions such as;
Climbing grades steeper than 4% at ambient temperatures above
90’Fahrenheit (32O Celsius)
with a loaded vehicle and trailer.
0 Stopping after high-speed driving.
0 Idling for long periods in stop and go traffic.
If the “TEMP” warning light comes on, pull
to the side of the road as
soon as it is safe to do
so. When the vehicle is at a complete stop, shift the
transmission selector to P (Park) and allow the engine to idle. If your
Electronic Climate Control system is on, shut it
off. Do not turn off the
engine or increase engine speed above a normal idle. Within
two or three
minutes the system should cool sufficiently to allow A/C operation to
resume. At that time resume driving at a reduced speed. Return to
normal driving after
10 minutes if the “TEMP” warning light is not
displayed.
Maintenance when Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re pulling a trailer.
See the Maintenance Schedule for details. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic transmission fluid (don’t
overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, engine drive belt, cooling system, and
brake adjustment. Each of these is covered in this manual. 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 attaching nuts and bolts are tight.
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