TOWING A TRAILER
WARNING: Towing trailers
beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer
weight exceeds the limit of your
vehicle and could result in engine
damage, transmission damage,
structural damage, loss of
vehicle control, vehicle rollover
and personal injury. WARNING:
Do not exceed
the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the certification
label.
Your vehicle may have electrical
items, such as fuses or relays,
related to towing. See
Fuses
(page 315).
Some vehicles may have the
ability to modify trailer towing
features. See Towing (page 275
).
Your vehicle's load capacity
designation is by weight, not by
volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space when
loading a vehicle or trailer.
Towing a trailer places an extra
load on your vehicle's engine,
transmission, axle, brakes, tires
and suspension. Inspect these
components periodically during,
and after, any towing operation. Load Placement
To help minimize how trailer
movement affects your vehicle
when driving:
•
Load the heaviest items closest
to the trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items
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 ball mount with the
correct rise or drop and load
capacity. When both the
loaded vehicle and trailer are
connected, the trailer frame
should be level, or slightly
angled down toward your
vehicle, when viewed from the
side.
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
located in another chapter of this
manual. See
Load Limit (page
269).
You can also find information in
the
RV & Trailer Towing Guide
available at your authorized
dealer, or online.
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This feature applies your vehicle brakes at
individual wheels and, if necessary, reduces
engine power. If the trailer begins to sway,
the stability control light flashes and the
message TRAILER SWAY REDUCE
SPEED appears in the information display.
The first thing to do is slow your vehicle
down, then pull safely to the side of the
road and check for proper tongue load and
trailer load distribution. See Towing (page
275
).
RECOMMENDED TOWING
WEIGHTS
Note: Do not exceed the trailer
weight for your vehicle
configuration listed in the chart
that follows.
Note: Make sure to take into
consideration trailer frontal area.
Do not exceed 55 ft² (5.11 m²) if
your vehicle has the standard
towing package, or 60 ft² (5.57 m²)
if your vehicle has the heavy duty
package.
Note: Your vehicle could have
reduced performance when
operating at high altitudes and
when heavily loaded or towing a
trailer. When driving at elevation,
to match driving performance as
perceived at sea level, reduce gross
vehicle weight and gross
combination weight by 2% per
1,000 ft (300 m)
of elevation. Note:
Certain states require
electric trailer brakes for trailers
over a specified weight. Be sure to
check state regulations for this
specified weight. This specified
weight could limit the maximum
trailer weights, as the vehicle ’s
electrical system may not include
the wiring connector needed to
activate electric trailer brakes.
Your vehicle may tow a trailer
provided the maximum trailer
weight is less than or equal to the
maximum trailer weight listed for
your vehicle configuration on the
chart that follows.
To calculate the maximum loaded
trailer weight for your vehicle:
1. Start with the gross combined weight rating for your vehicle
model and axle ratio. See the
chart that follows.
2. Subtract all of the following
that apply to your vehicle:
•Vehicle curb weight.
• Hitch hardware weight, such
as a draw bar, ball, locks or
weight distributing.
• Driver weight.
• Passenger weight.
• Payload, cargo and luggage
weight.
• Aftermarket equipment
weight.
3. This equals the maximum
loaded trailer weight for this
combination.
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2.
Grab the trailer hitch cover at the edge
and rotate until the top of the trailer
hitch cover unsnaps from the bumper,
then remove the trailer hitch cover.
To install the trailer hitch cover: 1. Line up the snaps on the trailer hitch
cover to the holes on the bumper and
push forward until it snaps into place.
Hitches WARNING: Do not cut, drill, weld
or modify the trailer hitch. Modifying the
trailer hitch could reduce the hitch rating.
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the
total trailer weight is on the tongue.
Integrated Hitch Rating WARNING: Towing trailers beyond
the maximum recommended gross
trailer weight exceeds the limit of your
vehicle and could result in engine
damage, transmission damage,
structural damage, loss of vehicle
control, vehicle rollover and personal
injury. The standard integrated hitch has two
ratings depending on mode of operation:
•
Weight-carrying mode requires a draw
bar and hitch ball. The draw bar
supports all the vertical tongue load of
the trailer.
• Weight-distributing mode requires an
aftermarket weight-distributing
system, which includes draw bar, hitch
ball, spring bars and snap-up brackets.
This system distributes the vertical
tongue load of the trailer between the
truck and the trailer.
You must use a weight-distributing hitch
for weights above
6,000 lb (2,721 kg), up
to your vehicle's maximum towing
capacity.
Note: These are hitch ratings only. Actual
vehicle ratings are dependent on engine,
transmission and axle combinations.
Weight-distributing Hitch WARNING: Do not adjust the spring
bars so that your vehicle's rear bumper
is higher than 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 loaded vehicle, without the trailer, on a level surface.
2. Measure the height to the top of your vehicle's front wheel opening on the
fender. This is H1.
3. Attach the loaded trailer to your vehicle
without the weight-distributing bars
connected.
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wiring. Consult your trailer dealer for
assistance. This can be a short to ground
such as a chaffed wire, short to voltage
such as a pulled pin on trailer emergency
breakaway battery, or the trailer brakes
may be drawing too much current.
Points to Remember
Note:
Do not attempt removal of the trailer
brake controller without consulting the
Workshop Manual. Damage to the unit may
result.
• Adjust gain setting before using the
trailer brake controller for the first time.
• Adjust gain setting, using the procedure
above, whenever road, weather and
trailer or vehicle loading conditions
change from when the gain was initially
set.
• Only use the manual control lever for
proper adjustment of the gain during
trailer setup. Misuse, such as
application during trailer sway, could
cause instability of trailer or tow
vehicle.
• Avoid towing in adverse weather
conditions. The trailer brake controller
does not provide anti-lock control of
the trailer wheels. Trailer wheels can
lock up on slippery surfaces, resulting
in reduced stability of trailer and tow
vehicle.
• The trailer brake controller is equipped
with a feature that reduces output at
vehicle speeds below 11 mph (18 km/h)
so trailer and vehicle braking is not jerky
or harsh. This feature is only available
when applying the brakes using your
vehicle's brake pedal, not the
controller.
• The controller interacts with the brake
control system and powertrain control
system of your vehicle to provide the
best performance on different road
conditions. •
Your vehicle's brake system and the
trailer brake system work
independently of each other. Changing
the gain setting on the controller does
not affect the operation of your
vehicle's brakes whether you attach a
trailer or not.
• When you switch the engine off, the
controller output is disabled and the
display and module shut down. The
controller module and display turn on
when you switch the ignition on.
• The trailer brake controller is only a
factory-installed or dealer-installed
item. We are not responsible for
warranty or performance of the
controller due to misuse or customer
installation.
Trailer Lamps WARNING: Never connect any
trailer lamp wiring to the vehicle's tail
lamp wiring; this may damage the
electrical system resulting in fire. Contact
your authorized dealer as soon as
possible for assistance in proper trailer
tow wiring installation. Additional
electrical equipment may be required.
Trailer lamps are required on most towed
vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake
lights, direction indicators and hazard lights
are working.
Before Towing a Trailer
Practice turning, stopping and backing up
to get the feel of your vehicle-trailer
combination before starting on a trip.
When turning, make wider turns so the
trailer wheels clear curbs and other
obstacles.
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When Towing a Trailer
•
Do not tow during the first 1,000 mi
(1,600 km).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections
and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly
after you have traveled 50 mi (80 km).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
transmission in park (P) to aid engine
and transmission cooling and to help
A/C performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy
loads or in hilly terrain. The speed
control may turn off automatically
when you are towing on long, steep
slopes.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down
a long or steep hill. Do not apply the
brakes continuously, as they may
overheat and become less effective.
• If your transmission is equipped with a
Grade Assist or Tow/Haul feature, use
this feature when towing. This provides
engine braking and helps eliminate
excessive transmission shifting for
optimum fuel economy and
transmission cooling.
• If your vehicle is equipped with
AdvanceTrac with RSC, this system
may turn on during typical cornering
maneuvers with a heavily loaded trailer.
This is normal. Turning the corner at a
slower speed when towing may reduce
this tendency.
• If you are towing a trailer frequently in
hot weather, hilly conditions, at the
gross combined weight rating (or any
combination of these factors), consider
refilling your rear axle with synthetic
gear lubricant if the axle is not already
filled with it. See
Capacities and
Specifications (page 380). •
Allow more distance for stopping with
a trailer attached. Anticipate stops and
brake gradually.
• Avoid parking on a slope. However, if
you must park on a slope:
1. Turn the steering wheel to point your vehicle tires away from traffic flow.
2. Set your vehicle parking brake.
3. Place the transmission in park (P).
4. Place wheel chocks in front and back of the trailer wheels. Chocks are not
included with your vehicle.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a
temporary or conventional spare tire. A
temporary spare tire is different in size,
tread-type, or is from a different
manufacturer than the road tires on your
vehicle. Consult information on the tire
label or Safety Compliance label for
limitations when using these tires.
Launching or Retrieving a Boat or
Personal Watercraft (PWC)
Note: Disconnect the wiring to the trailer
before backing the trailer into the water.
Note: Reconnect the wiring to the trailer
after removing the trailer from the water.
When backing down a ramp during boat
launching or retrieval:
• Do not allow the static water level to
rise above the bottom edge of the rear
bumper.
• Do not allow waves to break higher
than
6 in (15 cm) above the bottom
edge of the rear bumper.
Exceeding these limits may allow water to
enter vehicle components:
• Causing internal damage to the
components.
• Affecting driveability, emissions and
reliability.
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Replace the rear axle lubricant anytime
the rear axle has been submerged in water.
Water may have contaminated the rear
axle lubricant, which is not normally
checked or changed unless a leak is
suspected or another axle repair is
required.
TOWING THE VEHICLE ON
FOUR WHEELS
WARNING: If your vehicle has a
steering wheel lock make sure the
ignition is in the accessory or on position
when being towed.
Recreational Towing
Note: Put your climate control system in
recirculated air mode to prevent exhaust
fumes from entering your vehicle.
See
Climate Control (page 139).
Follow these guidelines if you have a need
for recreational towing, for example towing
your vehicle behind a motorhome. These
guidelines prevent damage to your
transmission.
Two-wheel Drive Vehicles
You cannot tow a two wheel drive vehicle
with any wheels on the ground as vehicle
or transmission damage may occur. You
must tow your vehicle with all four wheels
off the ground, for example when using a
car-hauling trailer.
Four-wheel Drive Vehicles Without 4x4
LOW
If your vehicle is not equipped with 4x4
Low, you cannot tow your vehicle with any
wheels on the ground or vehicle damage
may occur. You must tow your vehicle with
all four wheels off the ground, for example
when using a car-hauling trailer. Four-wheel Drive Vehicles With 4x4
LOW
You can only tow a
4X4 LOW equipped
four-wheel drive vehicle with all wheels on
the ground by placing the transfer case in
its neutral position and engaging the four
wheel down towing feature. Perform the
steps outlined in the following section after
positioning your vehicle behind the tow
vehicle and properly securing them
together.
Four-wheel-down Towing
Note: If completed successfully, the
information display shows
Neutral Tow
Enabled Leave Transmission in Neutral.
This indicates that your vehicle is safe to
tow with all wheels on the ground.
Note: If you do not see the message in the
information display, you must perform the
procedure again from the beginning.
Note: Make sure you properly secure your
vehicle to the tow vehicle.
Entering Four-wheel-down Towing
1. Start your vehicle.
2. Select
2H on the 4WD mode selector
switch.
3. For vehicles equipped with a console shifter, place the transmission in stay
in neutral mode.
See Automatic
Transmission (page 193). For vehicles
equipped with a column shifter, place
the transmission in neutral (N).
4. Once the transmission is in neutral (N)
or stay in neutral mode, switch the
engine off but leave the ignition in the
on position. The information display
shows a
Transmission Not in Park
message.
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Note:
If your vehicle has intelligent access,
you can keep your vehicle on while switching
the engine off by pressing the
START/STOP button two times slowly
without pressing the brake pedal.
5. Press and hold the brake pedal.
6. Enable neutral tow through the information display by selecting
Settings
from the menu. See General
Information (page 114).
7. Then select
Advanced Settings.
8. Then select
Vehicle.
9. Then select
Neutral Tow.
10. Press and hold the
OK button until
the information display confirms
neutral tow is enabled.
Note: If completed successfully, the
information display shows
Neutral Tow
Enabled Leave Transmission in Neutral.
This indicates that your vehicle is safe to
tow with all wheels on the ground.
Note: If you do not see the message in the
display, you must perform the procedure
again from the beginning.
Note: You may hear an audible noise as the
transfer case shifts into its neutral position.
This is normal.
11. Leave the transmission in neutral (N).
If your vehicle has intelligent access,
press the engine
START/STOP
button once without pressing the
brake pedal to switch the ignition off.
You do not need to leave your keys in
the vehicle. You can lock and unlock
your vehicle as you normally do. If
your vehicle has a physical ignition
key, turn the ignition as far as it can
go toward the off position. It does not
turn to the off position when the
transmission is in neutral (N). You
must leave the key in the ignition
when towing. To lock and unlock your
vehicle, use the keyless entry keypad
or an extra set of keys. 12. Release the brake pedal. WARNING:
Do not disconnect the
battery during recreational towing. It
prevents the transfer case from shifting
properly and may cause the vehicle to
roll, even if the transmission is in park
(P). WARNING:
Shifting the transfer
case to its neutral position for
recreational towing may cause the
vehicle to roll, even if the transmission is
in park (P). It may injure the driver and
others. Make sure you press the foot
brake and the vehicle is in a secure, safe
position when you shift to neutral (N).
Note: Failing to put the transfer case in its
neutral position may damage vehicle
components.
Note: You can check four-wheel-down
towing status at any time by opening the
driver door or turning the ignition to the
accessory or on position and verifying the
message displays in the cluster.
Exiting Four-wheel-down Towing
To exit four-wheel-down towing and return
the transfer case to its
2H position:
1. With your vehicle still properly secured
to the tow vehicle, start the engine.
2. After starting your vehicle, switch the engine off but leave the key in the on
position.
Note: If your vehicle has intelligent access,
you can keep the vehicle on when switching
the engine off by pressing the
START/STOP
button two times slowly
without pressing the brake pedal.
3. Press and hold the brake pedal.
4. Shift the transmission out of neutral (N) and into park (P).
5. Release the brake pedal.
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Note:
If completed successfully, the
instrument cluster displays 4X2, and
Neutral Tow Disabled.
Note: If the indicator light and message do
not display, you must perform the procedure
again from the beginning.
Note: You may hear an audible noise as the
transfer case shifts out of its neutral
position. This is normal.
Note: If
Shift Delayed Pull Forward
appears in the instrument cluster, transfer
case gear tooth blockage is present. See the
instructions after this section.
6. Apply the parking brake, then disconnect your vehicle from the tow
vehicle.
7. Release the parking brake, start the engine and shift the transmission to
drive (D) to make sure the transfer
case is out neutral (N).
8. If the transfer case does not successfully shift out of neutral (N),
set the parking brake until you can have
your vehicle serviced.
Resolving the
Shift Delayed Pull
Forward Message
If the instrument cluster displays
Shift
Delayed Pull Forward, perform the
following:
1. Press and hold the brake pedal.
2. Put the transmission into neutral (N), then start the engine.
3. With the engine running, shift the transmission to drive (D) and let the
vehicle roll forward up to
3 ft (1 m). You
may hear an audible noise as the
transfer case shifts out of its neutral
position. This is normal.
4. Make sure the instrument cluster displays
Neutral Tow Disabled.
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