2008 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER trailer

232 2−5. Driving information
Selecting trailer ball
Use the correct trailer ball for your application.
Trailer ball load rating
Matches or exceeds the gross
trailer weight rating of the trailer.
Ball diameter
Matches the size of the trailer
coupler. Most couplers are
stamped with the required trailer
ball size.
Shank length
Protrudes beyond the bottom of
the lock washer and nut at least 2
threads.
Shank diameter
Matches the ball mount hole
diameter size.
Connecting trailer lights
Use the wire harness stored in
the rear end under body.
ITY25C009

233
2−5. Driving information
2
When driving
Trailer towing tips
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. The 3 main
causes of vehicle−trailer accidents
are driver error, excessive speed
and improper trailer loading. Keep the following in mind when towing.
l
Before starting out, check the trailer lights and the vehicle−trailer
connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
lPractice turning, stopping and reve rsing with the trailer attached in
an area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel
of the vehicle.
l
Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice.
Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to
move the trailer to right. (This
is generally opposite to reversing
without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an acci−
dent.
lAs stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer, vehicle−to
vehicle distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least o
ne vehicle and trailer length.
lAvoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and
loss of control. This is especiall
y true on wet or slippery surfaces.
lAvoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
l
Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before mak−
ing turns.

234 2−5. Driving information
lNote that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a larger than normal turning radius.
lCrosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your
vehicle and trailer, causing sway
. Periodically check the rear to
prepare for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may
cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying occurs, firmly grip
the steering wheel, reduce speed immediately but gradually, and
steer straight ahead. Never increase speed. If you make no
extreme correction with the stee ring or brakes, your vehicle and
trailer will stabilize.
lTake care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires consider−
able distance. After passing a vehi
cle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you hav e plenty of room before changing
lanes.
lIn order to maintain engine braking efficiency when driving on a
long steep downgrade, do not use overdrive. Transmission shift
range position must be in “4”, in “S” mode.
lDue to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle’s engine may
overheat on hot days (at temperatur
es over 85°F [30°C] when driv−
ing up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature
gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air condition−
ing (if in use), pull your vehicle off
the road and stop in a safe spot.
( P. 488)

235
2−5. Driving information
2
When driving
lAlways place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and the trailer
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in “P”. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable,
do so only after performing the following:
Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
Have someone place wheel bloc
ks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
When the wheel blocks are in pl
ace, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
Apply the parking brake firmly.
Shift into “P” and turn off the engine.
lWhen restarting after parking on a slope:
With the transmission in the “P ” position, start the engine. Be
sure to keep the brake pedal pressed.
Shift into “3”, “2”, “1”, or “R” position (if reversing).
Release the parking brake and
brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
Have someone retrieve the blocks.
STEP1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4

236 2−5. Driving information
nBefore towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
lThe vehicle’s tires are properly inflated.
lTrailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer ’s recom−
mendation.
lAll trailer lights work.
lAll lights work each time you connect them.
lThe trailer ball is set up at the proper height for the coupler on the trailer.
lThe vehicle remains level when a loaded or unloaded trailer is hitched.
Do not drive if the vehicle is not level, and check for improper tongue
load, overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
lThe trailer cargo is securely loaded.
lThe rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal, state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing purposes.
nBreakin schedule
Toyota recommends that you do not use a new vehicle or a vehicle with any
new power train components (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bear−
ings, etc.) to tow a trailer for the first 500 miles (800 km) of driving.
nMaintenance
lIf you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance
due to the additional load. (See “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or
“Owner ’s Manual Supplement”.)
lRetighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball after approximately 600 miles
(1000 km) of trailer towing.

237
2−5. Driving information
2
When driving
CAUTION
nTrailer towing precautions
lFollow all the instructions described in this section. Failure to do so could
cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
lExceeding the towing capacity, GVWR, GCWR and GAWR can cause an
accident resulting in death or serious personal injuries.
nTo avoid accident or injury
lDo not exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) or the posted towing speed limit, which−
ever is lower. As instability (swaying) of the towing vehicle−trailer combina−
tion increases as speed increases, exceeding 45 mph (72 km/h) may
cause loss of control.
lSlow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts.
lAvoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too
frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced
braking efficiency.
lDo not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue load capacities.
lNever load more weight in the back than in the front of the trailer. About
60% of the load should be in the front half of the trailer, and the remaining
40% in the rear.
l
Do not use cruise control when you are towing.

238 2−5. Driving information
CAUTION
nHitches
lLubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease.
lIf using a weight distributing hitch when towing, keep your vehicle level
with the ground.
nWhen towing a trailer
lIf the gross trailer weight exceeds 1000 lb. (453 kg), trailer brakes are
required. Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all appli−
cable federal and state/provincial regulations.
lNever tap into your vehicle’s hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehi−
cle’s braking effectiveness.
lNever tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both
the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch
ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering into another lane.
NOTICE
nWhen installing a trailer hitch
lUse only the position recommended by your Toyota dealer. Do not install
the trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
lDo not use axle−mounted hitches, as they can cause damage to the axle
housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
nSafety chain
A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the
trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross
under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in
the case that it becomes damaged or separated. For the correct safety chain
installation procedure, ask your Toyota dealer.
nDo not directly splice trailer lights
Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your vehicle’s electrical system
and cause a malfunction.

421
4−3. Do−it−yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
nDriver ’s side instrument panel
FuseAmpere Circuit
1 CIG 15 A Cigarette lighter
2 BK/UP LP 10 A Back−up lights, trailer
3 ACC 7.5 AStereo component amplifier
assembly, multi−display
assembly, gateway ECU, radio
receiver assembly, main body
ECU, mirror ECU, rear seat
entertainment, smart key sys−
tem, clock
4 PANEL 10 A
Four−wheel drive system, ash−
tray, cigarette lighter, brake
controller, cool box, cruise con−
trol, center differential lock,
DAC, multi−display assembly,
seat heater, air conditioning
system, glove box light, emer−
gency flasher, radio receiver
assembly, headlight cleaner,
inverter, driving position mem−
ory system, mirror ECU, over−
head module, roll sensing of
curtain shield airbags off
switch, shift lever switch, steer−
ing switches, VSC, console
switch