yellowblue
4-53
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 weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, 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 lamps 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.
yellowblue
9-8
Passing 4-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Passlock2-11, 2-80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Periodic Maintenance Inspections 7-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power
Auxiliary Outlet 2
-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door Locks 2-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lumbar Adjustment 1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Option Fuses 6-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Remote Control Mirror 2-52 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seat 1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering 4-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Steering Fluid 6-28, 7-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winches 4-58 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windows 2-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power Lumbar Adjustment 1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pregnancy, Use of Safety Belts 1-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Problems on the Road 5-1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Protecting Exterior Bright Metal Parts 6-56 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Publications, Service and Owner 8-11, 8-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator 5-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator Pressure Cap 6-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radio Reception 3-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radios 3-11, 3-12, 3-15, 3-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rain, Driving In 4-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reading Lamps 2-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear
Axle 6
-22, 7-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child Security Locks 2-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lamp Bulb Replacement 6-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside Seat Position 1-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Safety Belt Comfort Guides 1
-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seat Passengers 1-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Window Defogger 3-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield Wiper and Washer 2-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Air Conditioning and Heating Systems 3-4 . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear Towing 5-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rearview Mirror 2-43, 2-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrochromic Day/Night with Compass 2-43 . . . . . . . . . .
Electrochromic Day/Night with Compass/Temperature
Display 2
-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside 2-43, 2-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reclining Front Seatbacks 1-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recovery Hooks 5-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recovery Tank, Coolant 5-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recreational Vehicle Towing 4-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Refrigerants, Air Conditioning 6-68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Removing the Rear (Third) Seat (Suburban) 1-12 . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement
Bulbs 6
-65, 6-66 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parts 6-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel 6-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel, Used 6-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing Safety Belts 1-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing the Rear (Third) Seat (Suburban) 1-13 . . . . . . . . . .
Reporting Safety Defects 8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restraints
Checking 1
-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child 1-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Head 1-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing Parts After a Crash 1-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
System Check 7-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reverse, Automatic Transmission 2-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
