2014 FIAT FREEMONT Owners Manual

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.
WARNING!
An improperly adjusted hitch system
may redu c

e handling, stability and brak-
ing performance and could result in an accident .
Consult with your hitch and trailer manufacturer
or a reputable trailer/dealer for additional infor-
mation.
Frontal Area
The frontal area is the maximum height multiplied by
the maximum width of the front of a trailer.
Trailer Sway Control
Refer to “TSC (Trailer Sway Control)” under “Knowing
Your Vehicle/Electronic Brake Control System” for
further information. BREAKAWAY CABLE ATTACHMENT
European braking regulations for braked trailers up to
3,500 kg require trailers to be fitted with either a
secondary coupling or breakaway cable.
The recommended location for attaching the normal
trailer's breakaway cable is in the stamped slot located
on the sidewall of the hitch receiver.
With Attachment Point
•
For detachable tow bar, pass the cable through the
attachment point and clip it back onto itself.
(fig. 155)
(fig. 155)
Detachable Ball Clip Loop Method
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• For fixed ball tow bar, attach the clip directly to thedesignated point. This alternative must be specifically
permitted by the trailer manufacturer since the clip
may not be sufficiently strong for use in the way.(fig. 156)
Without Attachment Points
• For detachable ball tow bar, you must follow the recommended manufacturer or supplier procedure.(fig. 157)
• For fixed ball tow bar, loop the cable around the neck of the tow ball. If you fit the cable like this, use a single
loop only. (fig. 158)
(fig. 156)
Fixed Ball Clip Loop Method
(fig. 157)Detachable Ball Neck Loop Method
(fig. 158) Fixed Ball Neck Loop Method
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TRAILER TOWING WEIGHTS (MAXIMUM TRAILER WEIGHT RATINGS)
The following chart provides the maximum trailer weight ratings towable for your given drivetrain.
Engine/Transmission Frontal AreaMax. GTW
(Gross Trailer Wt.)
(5 and 7 Passenger Model Max.Tongue Wt.
♦
(5 and 7 Passenger Model)
2.4L/Automatic 2.0 sq m454 kg22 kg
3.6L/Automatic 3.7 sq m1,100 kg 55 kg
2.0L Diesel/Manual 3.7 sq m1,250 kg 62 kg
2.0L Diesel/Automatic 3.7 sq m1,100 kg 55 kg
Refer to local laws for maximum trailer towing speeds
♦ The trailer tongue weight must be considered as part of the combined weight of occupants and cargo and it should
never exceed the weight referenced on the Tire and Loading Information placard.
TRAILER AND TONGUE WEIGHT
Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the rear
can cause the trailer to sway severelyside to side
which will cause loss of control of the vehicle and
trailer. Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the
cause of many trailer accidents.
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped
on your trailer hitch.
Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
• The tongue weight of the trailer. • The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
• The weight of the driver and all passengers.
NOTE: Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options or dealer-installed options
must be considered as part of the total load on your
vehicle. Refer to the Tire and Loading Information
placard, located on the face of the driver's door or on
the driver's side “B” pillar, for the maximum combined
weight of occupants and cargo for your vehicle.
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TOWING REQUIREMENTS
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drive-
train components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
•Donottowatraileratallduringthe
first 805 km the new vehicle is driven.The
engine, axle or other parts could be dam-
aged.
• Then, during the first 805 km that a trailer is
towed, do not drive over 80 km/h and do not make
starts at full throttle. This helps the engine and
other parts of the vehicle wear in at the heavier
loads.
Perform the maintenance listed in the Maintenance
Schedule. When towing a trailer, never exceed the
GAWR ratings.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to an injury
acciden t

. Follow these guidelines to
make your trailer towing as safe as possible:
•Make certain that the load is secured in the
trailer and that it will not shift during travel.
When trailering cargo that is not fully secured,
dynamic load shifts can occur that may be diffi-
cult for the driver to control.You could lose con-
trol of your vehicle and have an accident .
• All trailer hitches should be professionally in-
stalled on your vehicle.
• When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance, or
damage to brakes, axle, engine, transmission,
steering, suspension, chassis structure, or tires.
• Safety chains must always be used between
your vehicle and trailer. Always connect the
chains to the frame or hook retainers of the
vehicle hitch. Cross the chains under the trailer
tongue and allow enough slack for turning cor-
ners.
(Continued)
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(Continued)
• Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade.When parking, apply the parking brake on
the tow vehicle. Always, block or "chock" the
trailer wheels.
• GCWR must not be exceeded.
• 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 for the safe and satisfactory operation of your vehicle. Refer
to “Tires – General Information” in “Technical Speci-
fications” 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 “Technical Specifications” for the
proper tire inspection procedures.
– When replacing tires, refer to “Tires – General Information” in “Technical Specifications” for proper
tire replacement procedures. Replacing tires with a
higher load carrying capacity will not increase the
vehicle's GVWR and GAWR limits.
Towing Requirements – Trailer Brakes
–Do notinterconnect 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.
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WARNING!
• Do not connect trailer brakes to your
vehi cle'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 seven-pin or a
thirteen-pin wiring harness. Use a factory approved
trailer harness and connector.
NOTE:
Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
The electrical connections are all complete to the
vehicle but you must mate the harness to a trailer
connector.
(fig. 159)
(fig. 159)
Seven-Pin Connector
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Pin Number Function Wire Color1 Left Turn Signal Yellow
2 Rear Fog Light Blue
3 Ground/
Common Return White
4 Right Turn Signal Green
5 Right Rear
Position, Side
Marker Lights,
and Rear Regis- tration PlateIllumination Device. b BrownPin Number Function Wire Color
6 Stoplights Red
7 Left Rear Position, Side
Marker Lights,
and Rear Regis- tration PlateIllumination Device. b Black
b The rear position registration plate illumination device
shall be connected such that no light of the device has a
common connection with both pins 5 and 7.
(fig. 160)
(fig. 160) Thirteen-Pin Connector
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Pin Number Function Wire Color1 Left Turn Signal Yellow
2 Rear Fog Light Blue
3 a
Ground/
Common
Return for
Contacts (Pins) 1 and 2 and 4to8White
4 Right Turn Signal Green
5 Right Rear
Position, Side
Marker Lights,
and Rear Regis- tration PlateIllumination Device. b Brown
6 Stoplights Red
7 Left Rear
Position, Side
Marker Lights,
and Rear Regis- tration PlateIllumination Device. b Black
Pin Number Function Wire Color
8 Reverse lights Red/Black
9 Permanent
Power Supply (+12V) Brown/White
10 Power Supply Controlled by
Ignition Switch (+12V) Red
11 a Return for
Contact (Pin) 10 White
12 Reserve for
Future
Allocation Red/Blue
13 a Return for
Contact (Pin) 9 White
Note: The allocation pin 12 has been changed from
“Coding for coupled Trailer” to “Reserve for Future
Allocation.”
a The three return circuits shall not be connected
electrically in the trailer.
b The rear position registration plate illumination device
shall be connected such that no light of the device has a
common connection with both pins 5 and 7.
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