
You will need a well-charged battery to restart the
vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with
your headlamps. Let the heater run for a while.
Then, shut the engine off and close the window
almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start
the engine again and repeat this only when you
feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as
little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as
you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of
the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises
every half hour or so until help comes.If Your Vehicle is Stuck in Sand,
Mud, Ice, or Snow
In order to free your vehicle when it is stuck,
you will need to spin the wheels, but you do not
want to spin your wheels too fast. The method
known as rocking can help you get out when you
are stuck, but you must use caution.
{CAUTION:
If you let your vehicle’s tires spin at high
speed, they can explode, and you or others
could be injured. And, the transmission or
other parts of the vehicle can overheat.
That could cause an engine compartment
re or other damage. When you are stuck,
spin the wheels as little as possible. Do not
spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as
shown on the speedometer.
406

Maintenance When Trailer Towing
Your vehicle will need service more often when
you’re pulling a trailer. SeeScheduled
Maintenance (Gasoline Engine) on page 617for
more information. Things that are especially
important in trailer operation are automatic
transmission uid (don’t over ll), engine oil, axle
lubricant, belt, cooling system and brake system.
Each of these is covered in this manual, and
the Index will help you nd 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 nuts and
bolts are tight.
Trailer Wiring Harness
Your vehicle is equipped with one of the following
wiring harnesses for towing a trailer or hauling
a slide-in camper.
Basic Trailer Wiring
All regular, extended cab and crew cab pickups
have an eight-wire trailer towing harness.For vehicles not equipped with heavy duty
trailering, the harness is clipped to the vehicle’s
frame behind the spare tire mount. The harness
requires the installation of a trailer connector,
which is available through your dealer.
If your trailer is equipped with electric brakes, you
can get a jumper harness (electric trailer brake
control) with a trailer battery feed fuse from
your dealer.
If you need to tow a light-duty trailer with a
standard four-way round pin connector, you can
also get an adapter from your dealer.
456

Heavy-DutyTrailer Wiring Harness
Package
For vehicles equipped with heavy duty trailering,
the harness is connected to the trailer mounted to
the hitch platform. The eight-wire harness
contains the following trailer circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Light Blue: CHMSL*
Red: Battery Feed**
Dark Blue: Trailer Brake
*The Center High-Mounted Stoplamp (CHMSL)
wire is tied next to the trailer wiring harness for use
with a trailer, slide-in camper or cap.
**If you are charging a remote (non-vehicle)
battery, press the tow/haul mode button located at
the end of the shift lever. This will boost the
vehicle system voltage and properly charge the
battery. If the trailer is too light for tow/haul mode,
you can turn on the headlamps as a second
way to boost the vehicle system voltage and
charge the battery.
457

Camper/Fifth-Wheel Trailer Wiring Package
The eight-wire camper harness is located under
the front edge of the pickup box on the driver’s
side of the vehicle, attached to the frame bracket.
A connector will have to be added to the wiring
harness which connects to the camper.
The eight-wire harness contains the following
camper/trailer circuits:
Yellow: Left Stop/Turn Signal
Dark Green: Right Stop/Turn Signal
Brown: Taillamps
White: Ground
Light Green: Back-up Lamps
Light Blue: Center High-Mounted Stoplamp
(CHMSL)
Red: Battery Feed
Dark Blue: Trailer BrakeIf your vehicle is equipped with the “Heavy-Duty
Trailering” option, please refer to “Heavy-Duty
Trailer Wiring Package” earlier in this section.
When the camper-wiring harness is ordered
without the heavy-duty trailering package, an
eight-wire harness with a seven-pin connector and
separate CHMSL connector are located at the
rear of the vehicle and are tied to the vehicle’s
frame.
458

Electric Brake Control Jumper
{CAUTION:
Be sure to use only the correct trailer
brake harness, the one intended for use
on your vehicle. If you use some other
trailer brake harness, even if it seems to
t, your trailer brakes may not work at all.
You could have a crash in which you or
others could be injured. Use only the
trailer brake harness intended for your
vehicle. If it is no longer available to you,
be sure to get a proper replacement from
your dealer.This harness is included with your vehicle as part
of the heavy-duty trailer wiring package.
This harness is for an electric brake controller and
includes a trailer battery feed fuse. It should be
installed by your dealer or a quali ed service
center.
459

Auxiliary Battery
The auxiliary battery provision can be used to
supply electrical power to additional equipment that
you may choose to add, such as a slide-in camper.
If your vehicle has this
provision, this relay will
be located on the
passenger’s side of the
vehicle, next to the
auxiliary battery.
When using this provision, connection should only
be made to the upper stud (A) of the relay. Do not
make connections to the lower stud (B) of the relay.
The auxiliary battery circuit is protected by a
megafuse located behind the auxiliary battery.
Be sure to follow the proper installation instructions
that are included with any electrical equipment
that you install.Notice:Leaving electrical equipment on for
extended periods will drain the battery. Always
turn off electrical equipment when not in
use and do not use equipment that exceeds
the maximum amperage rating for the auxiliary
battery provision.
Power Winches
If you wish to use a power winch on your vehicle,
only use it when your vehicle is stationary or
anchored.
Trailer Recommendations
You must subtract your hitch loads from the CWR
for your vehicle. Weigh your vehicle with the
trailer attached, so that you won’t go over
the GVWR or GAWR. If you are using a
weight-distributing hitch, weigh the vehicle without
the spring bars in place.
You’ll get the best performance if you spread out
the weight of your load the right way, and if
you choose the correct hitch and trailer brakes.
For more information, seeTowing a Trailer
on page 429.
460