2014 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY towing capacity

3. Tire size designed for your vehicle.
4. Cold tire inflation pressures for the front, rear, andspare tires.
Loading
The vehicle maximum load on the tire must not exceed
the load carrying capacity of the tire on your vehicle. You
will not exceed the tire’s load carrying capacity if you
adhere to the loading conditions, tire size, and cold tire
inflation pressures specified on the Tire and Loading
Information placard and in the “Vehicle Loading” section
of this manual.
NOTE: Under a maximum loaded vehicle condition,
gross axle weight ratings (GAWRs) for the front and rear
axles must not be exceeded. For further information on
GAWRs, vehicle loading, and trailer towing, refer to
“Vehicle Loading” in this section. To determine the maximum loading conditions of your
vehicle, locate the statement “The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or
XXX kg” on the Tire and Loading Information placard.
The combined weight of occupants, cargo/luggage and
trailer tongue weight (if applicable) should never exceed
the weight referenced here.
Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight of occu-
pants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs or
XXX kg” on your vehicle’s placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and pas- sengers from XXX lbs or XXX kg.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 507

4. The resulting figure equals the available amount ofcargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if
“XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs (635 kg) and there will
be five 150 lb (68 kg) passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity
is 650 lbs (295 kg) (since 5 x 150 lbs (68 kg) = 750 lbs
(340 kg), and 1400 lbs (635 kg) – 750 lbs (340 kg) =
650 lbs [295 kg]).
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load
capacity calculated in step 4. NOTE:
•
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from your
trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. The follow-
ing table shows examples on how to calculate total
load, cargo/luggage, and towing capacities of your
vehicle with varying seating configurations and num-
ber and size of occupants. This table is for illustration
purposes only and may not be accurate for the seating
and load carry capacity of your vehicle.
• For the following example, the combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed 865 lbs
(392 kg).
508 STARTING AND OPERATING

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. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle Certification
Label” in “Starting and Operating” for further information.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the weight of all
cargo, consumables and equipment (permanent or tem-
porary) loaded in or on the trailer in itsloaded 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 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. Refer to “Vehicle Loading/Vehicle Certification
Label” in “Starting and Operating” for further information.
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 a collision.
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 10% of the trailer load. You must consider this as
part of the load on your vehicle.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 547

WARNING!(Continued)
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized.
Towing Requirements — Tires
• Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact
spare tire. •
Proper tire inflation pressures are essential to the safe
and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer to
“Tires – General Information” in “Starting And Oper-
ating” for proper tire inflation procedures.
• Check the trailer tires for proper tire inflation pres-
sures before trailer usage.
• Check for signs of tire wear or visible tire damage
before towing a trailer. Refer to “Tires – General
Information” in “Starting And Operating” for the
proper inspection procedure.
• When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Infor-
mation” in “Starting And Operating” for the proper
tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires with a
higher load carrying capacity will not increase the
vehicle’s GVWR and GAWR limits.
554 STARTING AND OPERATING

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 possible
personal injury.
• An electronically actuated trailer brake controller is
required when towing a trailer with electronically
actuated brakes. 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
1,000 lbs (454 kg) and required for trailers in excess of
2,000 lbs (907 kg).
WARNING!
•Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle’s hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have a collision.
• Towing any trailer will increase your stopping
distance. When towing you should allow for addi-
tional space between your vehicle and the vehicle
in front of you. Failure to do so could result in a
collision.
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg)
loaded, it should have its own brakes and they
should be of adequate capacity. Failure to do this
could lead to accelerated brake lining wear, higher
brake pedal effort, and longer stopping distances.
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Universal Consumer Interface (UCI)..........382
Conserving Fuel ......................... .344
Console ............................... .293
Console, Floor .......................... .293
Console, Overhead ....................... .259
Console, Removable ...................... .297
Contract, Service ......................... .673
Coolant Pressure Cap (Radiator Cap) ...........630
Cooling System .......................... .626
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ...............628
Coolant Capacity ...................... .658
Coolant Level ......................... .627
Disposal of Used Coolant .................631
Drain, Flush, and Refill ...................627
Inspection ........................... .631
Points to Remember .....................631
Pressure Cap ......................... .630
Radiator Cap ......................... .630
Selection of Coolant (Antifreeze) .............627Corrosion Protection
...................... .637
Cupholders ............................ .282
Customer Assistance ...................... .671
Data Recorder, Event .......................95
Daytime Running Lights ....................228
Dealer Service ........................... .613
Defroster, Windshield ..................... .125
Delay (Intermittent) Wipers ..................236
Diagnostic System, Onboard .................610
Dimmer Control ......................... .229
Dipsticks Automatic Transmission ..................636
Oil (Engine) .......................... .615
Power Steering ........................ .484
Disabled Vehicle Towing ....................604
Disposal Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ................631
10
INDEX 683

Temperature Control, Automatic (ATC)..........445
Temperature Gauge, Engine Coolant ............329
Tilt Steering Column ...................... .239
Tire and Loading Information Placard ...........506
TIREFIT ............................... .564
Tire Markings ........................... .500
Tires ................................. .127
Aging (Life of Tires) .....................519
Air Pressure .......................... .510
Chains .............................. .522
Changing ............................ .577
Compact Spare ........................ .516
General Information .....................510
High Speed .......................... .513
Inflation Pressures .......................511
Jacking .............................. .577
Life of Tires .......................... .519
Load Capacity ........................ .506
Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) ............524Pressure Warning Light
...................323
Quality Grading ....................... .677
Radial .............................. .513
Replacement .......................... .520
Rotation ............................. .523
Safety .............................. .500
Sizes ............................... .501
Snow Tires ........................... .514
Spare Tire ............................ .579
Spinning ............................ .518
Trailer Towing ........................ .554
Tread Wear Indicators ....................519
Tire Safety Information .....................500
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight ................551
Torque Converter Clutch ....................480
Towing ............................... .546
24-Hour
Towing Assistance ................166
Disabled Vehicle ....................... .604
Guide .............................. .550
696 INDEX