TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING:Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on
the certification label.
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.
Note:For information on electrical items such as fuses or relays, see the
Fuseschapter.
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 periodically during, and after, any towing operation.
When driving with a trailer or payload, a slight takeoff vibration or
shudder may be present due to the increased payload weight. Additional
information regarding proper trailer loading and setting your vehicle up
for towing is noted underLoad limitin theLoad Carryingchapter and
in theRV & Trailer Towing Guide,available at your authorized dealer.
Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer movement affects the vehicle when driving:
•Load the heaviest items closest to the trailer floor.
•Load the heaviest items so they are centered between the left and
right side trailer tires.
•Load the heaviest items above the trailer axles or just slightly forward
toward the trailer tongue. Do not allow the final trailer tongue weight
to go above or below 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight.
•Select a tow bar with the correct rise or drop. When both the loaded
vehicle and trailer are connected, the trailer frame should be level, or
slightly angled down, when viewed from the side.
TRAILER SWAY CONTROL (IF EQUIPPED)
Note:This feature does not prevent trailer sway, but reduces it once it
begins.
Note:This feature cannot stop all trailers from swaying.
Note:In some cases, if vehicle speed is too high, the system may
activate multiple times, gradually reducing vehicle speed.
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Hitches
Do not use a hitch that clamps onto the vehicle’s bumper; use a
load-carrying hitch. You must distribute the load in your trailer so that
10–15% of the total weight of the trailer is on the tongue.
WARNING:The trailer hitch on this vehicle is part of the vehicle
rear crash safety structure. Do not remove the trailer hitch.
Failure to follow this warning could compromise vehicle crash structure
and increase the risk of injury in a rear end collision.
Integrated Hitch Rating
WARNING:Towing trailers beyond the maximum tongue weight
exceeds the limit of the towing system and could result in vehicle
structural damage, loss of vehicle control and personal injury.
The standard integrated hitch has two ratings depending on mode of
operation:
•Weight-carryingrequires a draw bar and hitch ball. The draw bar
supports all the vertical tongue load of the trailer.
•Weight-distributingrequires an aftermarket weight-distributing
system which includes draw bar, hitch ball, spring bars and snap-up
brackets. The vertical tongue load of the trailer is distributed between
the truck and the trailer by this system.
Mode Maximum Trailer
Weight - lb (kg)Maximum Tongue
Weight - lb (kg)
Weight-carrying 6000 (2721) 600 (272)
Weight-distributing 9000 (4082) 900 (408)
Note:These are hitch ratings only; actual vehicle ratings are dependent
on engine, transmission and axle combinations.
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Weight-distributing Hitch – Vehicles without Air Suspension
WARNING:Do not adjust a weight-distributing hitch to any
position where the rear bumper of the vehicle is higher than it
was before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of the
weight-distributing hitch, which may cause unpredictable handling, and
could result in serious personal injury.
When hooking-up a trailer using a weight-distributing hitch, always use
the following procedure:
1. Park the vehicle (without the trailer) on a level surface.
2. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening on the
fender, this is H1.
3. Attach the trailer to the vehicle without the weight distributing bars
connected.
4. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening on the
fender a second time, this is H2.
5. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distributing bars so that
the height of the front fender is approximately halfway between H1
and H2.
6. Check that the trailer is level. If not level, remove the trailer, adjust
the ball height accordingly, and repeat Steps 3–6.
Weight-distributing Hitch – Vehicles with Air Suspension
WARNING:Do not adjust a weight-distributing hitch to any
position where the rear bumper of the vehicle is higher than it
was before attaching the trailer. Doing so will defeat the function of the
weight-distributing hitch, which may cause unpredictable handling, and
could result in serious personal injury.
When hooking-up a trailer using a weight-distributing hitch, always use
the following procedure:
1. Turn off easy entry / kneel feature if equipped.
2. Park the vehicle, without trailer and with the ignition on, on a level
surface with all doors closed for a few minutes to ensure that the air
suspension has settled.
3. Measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening on the
fender, this is H1.
4. Attach the trailer to the vehicle; do not install the weight distributing
bars at this time.
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5. With the ignition on and all doors closed, let the vehicle with trailer
sit for a few minutes to let the air suspension re-settle.
6. With the trailer connected, but without weight distributing bars
connected, measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening
on the fender a second time, this is H2.
7. Install and adjust the tension in the weight distributing bars so that
the height of the front fender is approximately halfway between H1
and H2.
8. With the ignition on and all doors closed, let the vehicle, now with
trailer and weight distributing bars connected, sit for a few minutes
to let the air suspension re-settle.
9.
Re-measure the height of the top of the front wheel opening, repeating
Steps 7-9 as necessary to obtain a fender height approximately halfway
between H1 and H2 after the air suspension has settled.
10. Check that the trailer is level. If not level, remove the trailer, adjust
the ball height accordingly, and repeat Steps 4–10.
Safety Chains
Note:Do not attach safety chains to the bumper.
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 enough slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow the
chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
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.
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.
The braking system of the tow vehicle is rated for operation at
the GVWR not GCWR.
Separate functioning brake systems are required for safe control
of towed vehicles and trailers weighing more than 1500 pounds
(680 kilograms) when loaded.
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Special notice
ambulance conversions ............15
Specification chart,
lubricants ...................................340
Stability system .........................217
Starting a flex fuel vehicle .......187
Starting your vehicle ........186–187
jump starting ..........................255
Status bars ................................417
Steering wheel ............................79
controls ......................................80
tilting .........................................79
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) (see airbags) ....................47
SYNCAppLink™ ....................394
SYNCcustomer support .........369
SYNCServices .........................392
System overview .......................414
T
Temperature control
(see Climate control) .......146, 148
Text messaging .........................380
Text messaging (sending,
downloading, deleting) .....380, 382
Third-row power fold seat .......170
Tilt steering wheel ......................79
Tires ...........................310–311, 330
alignment ................................324
care ..........................................310
changing ..........................330, 332
checking the pressure ............320
inflating ...................................318
label .........................................317
replacing ..................................322
rotating ....................................324safety practices .......................323
sidewall information ...............313
snow tires and chains ............325
spare tire .................................330
terminology .............................311
tire grades ...............................311
treadwear ........................310, 320
Towing .......................239, 247–248
recreational towing .................248
trailer towing ..........................239
wrecker ....................................247
Traction control ........................215
Traffic, Directions and
Information ................................392
Trailer sway control ..................239
Transmission
brake-shift interlock (BSI) ....203
fluid, checking and adding
(automatic) .............................283
fluid, refill capacities ..............340
lubricant specifications ..........340
Troubleshooting ................142, 456
Turn signal ..................................87
U
Universal garage door opener ..171
USB port ....................................124
Using privacy mode ..................376
V
Vehicle health report ................390
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ..........................................344
Vehicle loading ..........................229
Ventilating your vehicle ...........188
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