TRAILER TOWING
In this section, you will find safety tips and information
on limits to the type of towing you can reasonably do
with your vehicle. Before towing a trailer, carefully
review this information to tow your load as efficiently
and safely as possible.
To maintain warranty coverage, follow the require-
ments and recommendations in this manual concerning
vehicles used for trailer towing.
COMMON TOWING DEFINITIONS
The following trailer towing related definitions will
assist you in understanding the following information:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The GVWR is the total allowable weight of your
vehicle. This includes driver, passengers, cargo, and
tongue weight. The total load must be limited so that
you do not exceed the GVWR.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of
all cargo, consumables, and equipment (permanent or
temporary) loaded in or on the trailer in its "loaded and
ready for operation" condition. The recommended way
to measure GTW is to put your fully loaded trailer on
a vehicle scale. The entire weight of the trailer must be
supported by the scale.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The GCWR is the total permissible weight of your
vehicle and trailer when weighed in combination.NOTE:
The GCWR rating includes a 68 kg allowance
for the presence of a driver.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
The GAWR is the maximum capacity of the front and
rear axles. Distribute the load over the front and rear
axles evenly. Make sure that you do not exceed either
front or rear GAWR.
WARNING!
It is important that you do not exceed
the maximum front or rear GAWR. A
dangerous driving condition can result if either
rating is exceeded. You could lose control of the
vehicle and have an accident .
Tongue Weight (TW)
The tongue weight is the downward force exerted on
the hitch ball by the trailer. In most cases, it should not
be less than 7% or more than 10% of the trailer load.
Tongue weight must not exceed the lesser of either the
hitch certification rating, or the trailer tongue chassis
rating. It should never be less than 4% of the trailer
load, and not less than 25 kg. You must consider tongue
load as part of the load on your vehicle and its’ GAWR.
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DRIVINGWARNING
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Towing Requirements – Tires Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compactspare tire.
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential for the safe and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to “Tires
– General Information” in “Technical Specifications” for
proper tire inflation procedures.
Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pressures before trailer usage.
Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General Information” in
“Technical Specifications” for the proper tire inspection
procedures.
When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Inf orma-
tion” in “Technical Specifications” for proper tire replace-
ment procedures. Replacing tires with a higher load car-
rying capacity will not increase the vehicle's GVWR and
GAWR limits.Towing Requirements – Trailer Brakes Do not
interconnect the hydraulic brake system or
vacuum system of your vehicle with that of the
trailer. This could cause inadequate braking and pos-
sible personal injury.
When towing a trailer equipped with a hydraulic surge actuated brake system, an electronic brake controller is
not required.
Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers over 450 kg and required for trailers in excess of 750 kg.
If the trailer weighs more than 450 kg
loaded, it should have its own brakes, and
they should be of adequate capacity. Fail-
ure to do this could lead to accelerated brake
lining wear, higher brake pedal effort , and longer
stopping distances.
WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your
vehicle's hydraulic brake lines. It can
overload your brake system and cause it to fail.
You might not have brakes when you need them
and could have an accident .
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing, you should allow for ad-
ditional space between your vehicle and the ve-
hicle in front of you. Failure to do so could result
in an accident .
Towing Requirements – Trailer Lights And
Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer
size, stoplights and turn signals on the trailer are
required for motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may include a sev en-pin or a
thirteen-pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved
trailer harness and connector.
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KNOWING
YOURVEHICLE SAFETYSTARTING ANDDRIVINGWARNING
LIGHTS AND
MESSAGES
IN AN
EMERGENCY
SERVICING AND
CARETECHNICAL
SPECIFICATIONSCONTENTS
