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Frontal Area
The frontal area is the maximum height and maximum
width of the front of a trailer.
Trailer Sway Control — Mechanical
The trailer sway control is a telescoping link that can be
installed between the hitch receiver and the trailer tongue
that typically provides adjustable friction associated with
the telescoping motion to dampen any unwanted trailer
swaying motions while traveling.
Weight-Carrying Hitch
A weight-carrying hitch supports the trailer tongue
weight, just as if it were luggage located at a hitch ball or
some other connecting point of the vehicle. These kinds
of hitches are the most popular on the market today and
they are commonly used to tow small- and medium-
sized trailers.
Weight-Distributing Hitch
A weight-distributing system works by applying lever-
age through spring (load) bars. They are typically used
for heavier loads, to distribute trailer tongue weight to
the tow vehicle’s front axle and the trailer axle(s). When
used in accordance with the manufacturers’ directions, it
provides for a more level ride, offering more consistent
steering and brake control thereby enhancing towing
safety. The addition of a friction/hydraulic sway control
also dampens sway caused by traffic and crosswinds and
contributes positively to tow vehicle and trailer stability.
Trailer sway control and a weight distributing (load
equalizing) hitch are recommended for heavier Tongue
Weights (TW) and may be required depending on Vehicle
and Trailer configuration/loading to comply with Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) requirements.
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CAUTION!
•The transmission must be in PARK position for
recreational towing. Failure to follow these proce-
dures can cause severe transmission and/or trans-
fer case damage.
•Internal damage to the transmission or transfer
case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used
when recreational towing.
•Before recreational towing, perform the procedure
outlined under “Shifting into NEUTRAL” to be
certain that the transfer case is fully in NEUTRAL.
Otherwise, internal damage will result.
•Do not use a bumper mounted clamp-on tow bar
on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be
damaged.
WARNING!
You or others could be injured if you leave the
vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
NEUTRAL position without first fully engaging the
parking brake. The transfer case NEUTRAL position
disengages both the front driveshaft and rear drive-
shaft from the powertrain and it will allow the
vehicle to move, even if the transmission is in PARK.
The parking brake should always be applied when
the driver is not in the vehicle.
Shifting into NEUTRAL
Perform the following procedure to prepare your vehicle
for recreational towing:
1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
2. Turn OFF the engine.
3. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
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4. Press the brake pedal.
5. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
6. Use the point of a ballpoint pen or similar object to
press the recessed transfer case NEUTRAL button for
four seconds. After the shift is complete, and the NEU-
TRAL light turns on, release the NEUTRAL button.
7. Start the engine.
8. Shift the transmission into REVERSE.
9. Release the brake pedal for five seconds and ensure
that there is no vehicle movement.
10. Repeat Steps 8 and 9 with the transmission in DRIVE.
11. Turn OFF the engine.
12. Turn the ignition switch to the unlocked OFF posi-
tion.
13. Shift the transmission into PARK.14. Attach the vehicle to a tow vehicle with a tow bar.
15. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
NOTE:
Steps 1 through 5 are requirements for shifting
the transfer case. If these requirements are not met prior
to depressing the NEUTRAL selection button or while
the shift attempt is in process, then the NEUTRAL
indicator light will flash continuously until all require-
ments are met or until the NEUTRAL button is released.
The ignition switch must be in the ON position for a shift
to take place and for the position indicator lights to be
operable. If the ignition switch is not in the ON position,
the shift will not take place and no position indicator
lights will be on or flashing.
Flashing NEUTRAL position indicator light indicates
that shift requirements have not been met.
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