10–15% (conventional trailer) or king pin weight of 15–25% (fifth wheel
trailer), and driver only (150 lb. [68 kg]).Consult your authorized
dealer (or theRV and Trailer Towing Guideprovided by your
authorized dealer) for more detailed information.
Tongue Load or Fifth Wheel King Pin Weight– refers to the amount
of the weight that a trailer pushes down on a trailer hitch.
Examples:For a 5,000 lb. (2,268 kg) conventional trailer, multiply 5,000
by 0.10 and 0.15 to obtain a proper tongue load range of 500 to 750 lb.
(227 to 340 kg). For an 11,500 lb. (5,216 kg) fifth wheel trailer, multiply
by 0.15 and 0.25 to obtain a proper king pin load range of 1,725 to 2,875
lb. (782 to 1,304 kg)
WARNING: Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the Safety Compliance Certification Label.
WARNING: Do not use replacement tires with lower load
carrying capacities than the originals because they may lower
the vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limitations. Replacement tires
with a higher limit than the originals do not increase the GVWR
and GAWR limitations.
WARNING: Exceeding any vehicle weight rating limitation
could result in serious damage to the vehicle and/or personal
injury.
Steps for determining the correct load limit:
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo
should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals
1,400 lbs. and there will be five 150 lb. passengers in your vehicle,
the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400–750 (5 x 150) = 650 lb.). In metric units (635–340 (5 x 68) =
295 kg.)
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5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may not safely exceed the available
cargo and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult this manual to determine how
this reduces the available cargo and luggage load capacity of your
vehicle.
The following gives you a few examples on how to calculate the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity:
•Another example for your vehicle with 1400 lb. (635 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You decide to go golfing. Is there enough load
capacity to carry you, 4 of your friends and all the golf bags? You and
four friends average 220 lb. (99 kg) each and the golf bags weigh
approximately 30 lb. (13.5 kg) each. The calculation would be: 1400 –
(5 x 220) – (5 x 30) = 1400 – 1100 – 150 = 150 lb. Yes, you have
enough load capacity in your vehicle to transport four friends and
your golf bags. In metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg — (5
x 99 kg) — (5 x 13.5 kg) = 635 — 495 — 67.5 = 72.5 kg.
•A final example for your vehicle with 1400 lb. (635 kg) of cargo and
luggage capacity. You and one of your friends decide to pick up
cement from the local home improvement store to finish that patio
you have been planning for the past 2 years. Measuring the inside of
the vehicle with the rear seat folded down, you have room for 12-100
lb. (45 kg) bags of cement. Do you have enough load capacity to
transport the cement to your home? If you and your friend each weigh
220 lb. (99 kg), the calculation would be: 1400 – (2 x 220) – (12 x
100) = 1400 – 440 – 1200 = – 240 lb. No, you do not have enough
cargo capacity to carry that much weight. In metric units, the
calculation would be: 635 kg — (2 x 99 kg) — (12 x 45 kg) = 635 —
198 — 540 = —103 kg. You will need to reduce the load weight by at
least 240 lb. (104 kg). If you remove 3-100 lb. (45 kg) cement bags,
then the load calculation would be:
1400 – (2 x 220) – (9 x 100) = 1400 – 440 – 900 = 60 lb. Now you
have the load capacity to transport the cement and your friend home. .
In metric units, the calculation would be: 635 kg — (2 x 99 kg) — (9
x 45 kg) = 635 — 198 — 405 = 32 kg.
The above calculations also assume that the loads are positioned in your
vehicle in a manner that does not overload the Front or the Rear Gross
Axle Weight Rating specified for your vehicle on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label found on the edge of the driver’s door.
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Special loading instructions for owners of pickup trucks and
utility-type vehicles
WARNING: For important information regarding safe operation
of this type of vehicle, see thePreparing to drive your vehicle
section in theDrivingchapter of thisOwner’s Guide.
WARNING: Loaded vehicles may handle differently than
unloaded vehicles. Extra precautions, such as slower speeds and
increased stopping distance, should be taken when driving a
heavily loaded vehicle.
Your vehicle can haul more cargo and people than most passenger cars.
Depending upon the type and placement of the load, hauling cargo and
people may raise the center of gravity of the vehicle.
TRAILER TOWING
Your vehicle may tow a class I, II or III trailer provided the maximum
trailer weight is less than or equal to the maximum trailer weight listed
for your engine and rear axle ratio on the following charts.
Your vehicle’s load capacity is designated by weight, not by volume, so
you cannot necessarily use all available space when loading a vehicle.
Towing a trailer places an additional load on your vehicle’s engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires and suspension. Inspect these
components carefully after any towing operation.
4x2 w/manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb.
(kg)Maximum
trailer weight
- lb. (kg)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer - ft
2(m2)
Regular Cab
2.3L All 4,800 (2,177) 1,600 (726) Equal to frontal
area of vehicle
3.0L* 3.73 6,000 (2,722) 2,660 (1,206) 50 (4.64)
3.0L*
Dual
Sport4.10 6,000 (2,722) 2,500 (1,134) 50 (4.64)
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4x2 w/manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb.
(kg)Maximum
trailer weight
- lb. (kg)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer - ft
2(m2)
Cab Plus/Cab Plus 4
2.3L All 4,800 (2,177) 1,440 (653) Equal to frontal
area of vehicle
3.0L* 3.73 6,000 (2,722) 2,500 (1,134) 50 (4.64)
3.0L*
Dual
Sport4.10 6,000 (2,722) 2,380 (1,080) 50 (4.64)
4.0L All 7,000 (3,175) 3,440 (1,560) 50 (4.64)
4.0L
Dual
SportAll 7,000 (3,175) 3,320 (1,506) 50 (4.64)
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 1,000 ft. (300 meters)
elevation.
*When towing on roads with steep grades or moderate but long sustained
grades (5 miles [8 km] or more), or when ambient temperatures exceed
100°F (37°C), vehicle speed should not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) in both
cases.
For definition of terms used in this table seeVehicle Loadingearlier in
this chapter.
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your particular vehicle,
seeCalculating the load your vehicle can carry/towearlier in this
chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the completed
towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and the loaded
trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
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4x4 w/manual transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb.
(kg)Maximum
trailer
weight - lb.
(kg)Maximum
frontal area
of trailer -
ft
2(m2)
Regular Cab
3.0L* All 6,000 (2,722) 2,360 (1,070) 50 (4.64)
4.0L All 7,000 (3,175) 3,280 (1,487) 50 (4.64)
Cab Plus/Cab Plus 4
4.0L All 7,000 (3,175) 3,140 (1,424) 50 (4.64)
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 1,000 ft. (300
meters) of elevation.
*When towing on roads with steep grades or moderate but long
sustained grades (5 miles [8 km] or more), or when ambient
temperatures exceed 100°F (37°C), vehicle speed should not exceed
45 mph (72 km/h) in both cases.
For definition of terms used in this table, seeVehicle loadingearlier in
this chapter.
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your vehicle, see
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/towearlier in this
chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the
completed towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and
the loaded trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR).
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4x2 w/automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb.
(kg)Maximum
trailer weight
- lb. (kg)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer - ft
2(m2)
Regular Cab
2.3L All 5,500 (2,495) 2,260 (1,025) Equal to frontal
area of vehicle
3.0L* 3.73 6,000 (2,722) 2,620 (1,188) 50 (4.64)
3.0L*
Dual
Sport4.10 6,000 (2,722) 2,460 (1,115) 50 (4.64)
Cab Plus/Cab Plus 4
2.3L 4.10 5,500 (2,495) 1,420 (644) Equal to frontal
area of vehicle
3.0L* 3.73 6,000 (2,722) 2,460 (1,115) 50 (4.64)
3.0L*
Dual
Sport4.10 6,000 (2,722) 2,340 (1,061) 50 (4.64)
4.0L All 9,500 (4,309) 5,880 (2,667) 50 (4.64)
4.0L
Dual
SportAll 9,500 (4,309) 5,760 (2,612) 50 (4.64)
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 1,000 ft. (300 meters)
elevation.
*When towing on roads with steep grades or moderate but long sustained
grades (5 miles [8 km] or more), or when ambient temperatures exceed
100°F (37°C), vehicle speed should not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) in both
cases.
For definition of terms used in this table seeVehicle Loadingearlier in
this chapter.
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your particular vehicle,
seeCalculating the load your vehicle can carry/towearlier in this
chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the completed
towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and the loaded
trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
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4x4 w/automatic transmission
Engine Rear axle
ratioMaximum
GCWR - lb.
(kg)Maximum
trailer weight
- lb. (kg)Maximum
frontal area of
trailer - ft
2(m2)
Regular Cab
3.0L* 3.73 6,000 (2,722) 2,320 (1,052) 50 (4.64)
4.0L All 9,500 (4,309) 5,740 (2,603) 50 (4.64)
Cab Plus/Cab Plus 4
4.0L All 9,500 (4,309) 5,600 (2,540) 50 (4.64)
For high altitude operation, reduce GCW by 2% per 1,000 ft. (300 meters)
of elevation.
*When towing on roads with steep grades or moderate but long sustained
grades (5 miles [8 km] or more), or when ambient temperatures exceed
100°F (37°C), vehicle speed should not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) in both
cases.
For definition of terms used in this table, seeVehicle loadingearlier in
this chapter.
To determine maximum trailer weight designed for your vehicle, see
Calculating the load your vehicle can carry/towearlier in this chapter.
Maximum trailer weight is shown. The combined weight of the completed
towing vehicle (including hitch, passengers and cargo) and the loaded
trailer must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
WARNING: Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
The certification label is found on the driver’s door latch pillar.
WARNING: Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended
gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of the vehicle and could
result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural
damage, loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal
injury.
Preparing to tow
Use the proper equipment for towing a trailer and make sure it is
properly attached to your vehicle. See your authorized dealer or a
reliable trailer dealer if you require assistance.
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Hitches
For towing trailers up to 2,000 lb. (907 kg), use a weight carrying hitch
and ball which uniformly distributes the trailer tongue loads through the
underbody structure. Use a frame-mounted weight distributing hitch for
trailers over 2,000 lb. (907 kg).
Do not install a single or multi-clamp type bumper hitch, or a hitch
which attaches to the axle. Underbody mounted hitches are acceptable if
they are installed properly. Follow the towing instructions of a reputable
rental agency.
Whenever a trailer hitch and hardware are removed, make sure all
mounting holes in the underbody are properly sealed to prevent noxious
gases or water from entering.
Safety chains
Always connect the trailer’s safety chains to the frame or hook retainers
of the vehicle hitch. To connect the trailer’s safety chains, cross the
chains under the trailer tongue and allow slack for turning corners.
If you use a rental trailer, follow the instructions that the rental agency
gives to you.
Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
Trailer brakes
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or surge-type trailer brakes are
safe if installed properly and adjusted to the manufacturer’s
specifications. The trailer brakes must meet local and Federal
regulations.
WARNING: Do not connect a trailer’s hydraulic brake system
directly to your vehicle’s brake system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and your chances of having a
collision greatly increase.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at the
GVWR not GCWR.
Trailer lamps
Trailer lamps are required on most towed vehicles. Make sure all running
lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working. See your
authorized dealer or trailer rental agency for proper instructions and
equipment for hooking up trailer lamps.
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