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Trailer weight
Tongue LoadTotal Trailer Weight
OOSH069129LOOSH069129L
What is the maximum safe weight of a 
trailer? It should never weigh more than 
the maximum trailer weight with trailer 
brakes. But even that can be too heavy. 
It depends on how you plan to use your 
trailer. For example, speed, altitude, 
road grades, outside temperature and 
how often your vehicle is used to pull a 
trailer are all important. The ideal trailer 
weight can also depend on any special 
equipment that you have on your vehicle.
Tongue load
Gross Axle WeightGross Vehicle Weight
OOSH069130LOOSH069130L
The tongue load is an important weight 
to measure because it affects the total 
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of your 
vehicle. The trailer tongue should weigh 
a minimum of 10% of the total loaded 
trailer weight, within the limits of the 
maximum (15%) trailer tongue load 
permissible.
After you’ve loaded your trailer, 
weigh the trailer and then the tongue, 
separately, to see if the weights are 
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able 
to correct them simply by moving some 
items around in the trailer.   
         
        
        
     
        
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Driving Your Vehicle
6-66
 WARNING
Take the following precautions:
• Never load a trailer with more weight 
in the rear than in the front. The front 
should be loaded with approximately 
60% of the total trailer load; the rear 
should be loaded with approximately 
40% of the total trailer load.
• Never exceed the maximum weight 
limits of the trailer or trailer towing 
equipment. Improper loading can 
result in damage to your vehicle and/
or personal injury. Check weights 
and loading at a commercial scale or 
highway patrol office equipped with 
scales.
Reference weight and distance 
when towing a trailer
ltemWith 
trailer 
package Without 
trailer 
package
Maximum 
trailer 
weight Ibs. (kg) With 
brake 
system
6000 
(2722) -
Maximum tongue 
weight 
*1
Ibs. (kg) 900 
(408) -
*1 : Tongue weight should be between 
allowable 10-15%
Trailer Towing Equipment
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch 
equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks 
going by, and rough roads are a few 
reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. 
Here are some rules to follow:
• Do you have to make any holes in 
the body of your vehicle when you 
install a trailer hitch? If you do, then 
be sure to seal the holes later when 
you remove the hitch. If you don’t seal 
them, carbon monoxide (CO) from 
your exhaust can get into your vehicle, 
as well as dirt and water.
• The bumpers on your vehicle are not 
intended for hitches. Do not attach 
rental hitches or other bumper-type 
hitches to them. Use only a frame-
mounted hitch that does not attach to 
the bumper.
• A Genesis Branded Vehicle trailer 
hitch accessory is available at an 
authorized retailer of Genesis Branded 
products.
Safety chains
You should always attach chains between 
your vehicle and your trailer.
Instructions about safety chains may 
be provided by the hitch manufacturer 
or trailer manufacturer. Follow the 
manufacturer’s recommendation for 
attaching safety chains. Always leave just 
enough slack so you can turn with your 
trailer. And, never allow safety chains to 
drag on the ground.    
         
        
        
     
        
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Trailer brakes
If your trailer is equipped with a braking 
system, make sure it conforms to 
your country’s regulations and that 
it is properly installed and operating 
correctly.
If your trailer weighs more than the 
maximum trailer weight without trailer 
brakes loaded, then it needs its own 
brakes and they must be adequate. Be 
sure to read and follow the instructions 
for the trailer brakes so you’ll be able 
to install, adjust and maintain them 
properly. Be sure not to modify your 
vehicle’s brake system.
 WARNING
Do not use a trailer with its own brakes 
unless you are absolutely certain that 
you have properly set up the brake 
system. This is not a task for amateurs. 
Use an experienced, competent trailer 
shop for this work.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain 
amount of experience. Before setting 
out for the open road, you must get to 
know your trailer. Acquaint yourself with 
the feel of handling and braking with the 
added weight of the trailer. And always 
keep in mind that the vehicle you are 
driving is now longer and not nearly as 
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch 
and platform, safety chains, electrical 
connector(s), lights, tires and brakes.
During your trip, occasionally check 
to be sure that the load is secure, and 
that the lights and trailer brakes are still 
working.
Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the 
vehicle ahead as you would when driving 
your vehicle without a trailer. This can 
help you avoid situations that require 
heavy braking and sudden turns.
Passing
You will need more passing distance up 
ahead when you’re towing a trailer. And, 
because of the increased vehicle length, 
you’ll need to go much farther beyond 
the passed vehicle before you can return 
to your lane.   
         
        
        
     
        
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Backing up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel 
with one hand. Then, to move the trailer 
to the left, move your hand to the left. To 
move the trailer to the right, move your 
hand to the right. Always back up slowly 
and, if possible, have someone guide 
you.
Making turns
When you’re turning with a trailer, make 
wider turns than normal. Do this so your 
trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, 
road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid 
jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in 
advance.
Turn signals
When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has 
to have a different turn signal flasher and 
extra wiring. The green arrows on your 
instrument panel will flash whenever you 
signal a turn or lane change. Properly 
connected, the trailer lights will also flash 
to alert other drivers you’re about to turn, 
change lanes, or stop.
When towing a trailer, the green arrows 
on your instrument panel will flash for 
turns even if the bulbs on the trailer 
are burned out. Thus, you may think 
drivers behind you are seeing your 
signals when, in fact, they are not. It’s 
important to check frequently to be sure 
the trailer bulbs are still working. You 
must also check the lights every time 
you disconnect and then reconnect the 
wires.
 WARNING
Do not connect a trailer lighting system 
directly to your vehicle’s lighting 
system. Use an approved trailer wiring 
harness. Failure to do so could result in 
damage to the vehicle electrical system 
and/or personal injury. Consult an 
authorized retailer of Genesis Branded 
products for assistance.
Driving on hills
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear 
before you start down a long or steep 
downgrade. If you don’t shift to a lower 
gear, you may have to use your brakes 
excessively and they would overheat and 
may not operate efficiently.
On a long uphill grade, shift to a lower 
gear and reduce your speed to around 
45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce the possibility of engine and transmission 
overheating.
If your trailer weighs more than the 
maximum trailer weight without trailer 
brakes and you have an automatic 
transmission, you should drive in D 
(Drive) when towing a trailer.
Operating your vehicle in D (Drive) 
when towing a trailer will minimize heat 
build-up and extend the life of your 
transmission.    
         
        
        
     
        
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NOTICE
To prevent engine and/or transmission 
overheating:
• When towing a trailer on steep 
grades (in excess of 6%) pay close 
attention to the engine coolant 
temperature gauge to ensure the 
engine does not overheat. If the 
needle of the coolant temperature 
gauge moves towards “H” (HOT), 
pull over and stop as soon as it is 
safe to do so, and allow the engine 
to idle until it cools down. You may 
proceed once the engine has cooled 
sufficiently.
• When towing a trailer, your vehicle 
speed may be much slower than the 
general flow of traffic, especially 
when climbing an uphill grade. Use 
the right hand lane when towing a 
trailer on an uphill grade. Choose 
your vehicle speed according to the 
maximum posted speed limit for 
vehicles with trailers, the steepness 
of the grade, and your trailer weight.
Parking on hills
Generally, if you have a trailer attached 
to your vehicle, you should not park your 
vehicle on a hill.
However, if you ever have to park your 
trailer on a hill, here’s how to do it:
1. Pull the vehicle into the parking space.
Turn the steering wheel in the 
direction of the curb (right if headed 
down hill, left if headed up hill).
2. Shift the gear to P (Park).
3. Set the parking brake and shut off the 
vehicle.
4. Place wheel chocks under the trailer 
wheels on the down hill side of the 
wheels.
5. Start the vehicle, hold the brakes, shift 
to neutral, release the parking brake 
and slowly release the brakes until the 
trailer chocks absorb the load.
6. Reapply the brakes and parking 
brakes.
7. Shift the gear to P (Park) when the 
vehicle is parked on a uphill grade and 
in R (Reverse) on a downhill.
8. Shut off the vehicle and release the 
vehicle brakes but leave the parking 
brake set.
 WARNING
To prevent serious or fatal injury:
• Do not get out of the vehicle without 
the parking brake firmly set. If you 
have left the engine running, the 
vehicle can move suddenly. You and 
others could be seriously or fatally 
injured.
• Do not apply the accelerator pedal to 
hold the vehicle on an uphill.   
         
        
        
     
        
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Driving the vehicle after it has been 
parked on a hill
1. With the gear in P (Park), apply your 
brakes and hold the brake pedal down 
while you:
• Start your engine;
• Shift into gear; and
• Release the parking brake.
2. Slowly remove your foot from the 
brake pedal.
3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of 
the chocks.
4. Stop and have someone pick up and 
store the chocks.
Maintenance When Towing a 
Trailer
Your vehicle will need service more 
often when you regularly pull a trailer. 
Important items to pay particular 
attention to include engine oil, 
transmission fluid, axle lubricant and 
cooling system fluid. Brake condition 
is another important item to frequently 
check. If you’re trailering, it’s a good 
idea to review these items before 
you start your trip. Don’t forget to 
also maintain your trailer and hitch. 
Follow the maintenance schedule that 
accompanied your trailer and check it 
periodically. Preferably, conduct the 
check at the start of each day’s driving. 
Most importantly, all hitch nuts and bolts 
should be tight.
NOTICE
To prevent vehicle damage:
• Due to higher load during trailer 
usage, overheating might occur on 
hot days or during uphill driving. 
If the coolant gauge indicates 
over-heating, switch off the air 
conditioner and stop the vehicle in a 
safe area to cool down the engine.
• Do not switch off the engine while 
the coolant gauge indicates over-
heating.
(Keep the engine idle to cool down 
the engine)
• When towing check transmission 
fluid more frequently.    
         
        
        
     
        
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Two labels on your driver’s door sill show 
how much weight your vehicle was 
designed to carry: the Tire and Loading 
Information Label and the Certification 
Label.
Before loading your vehicle, familiarize 
yourself with the following terms for 
determining your vehicle’s weight 
ratings, from the vehicle’s specifications 
and the Certification Label:
Base curb weight
This is the weight of the vehicle 
including a full tank of fuel and all 
standard equipment. It does not 
include passengers, cargo, or optional 
equipment.
Vehicle curb weight
This is the weight of your new vehicle 
when you picked it up from your dealer 
plus any aftermarket equipment.
Cargo weight
This figure includes all weight added to 
the Base Curb Weight, including cargo 
and optional equipment.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight)
This is the total weight placed on each 
axle (front and rear) - including vehicle 
curb weight and all payload.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum allowable weight 
that can be carried by a single axle (front 
or rear). These numbers are shown on 
the Certification Label. The total load on 
each axle must never exceed its GAWR.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
This is the Base Curb Weight plus actual 
Cargo Weight plus passengers.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum allowable weight 
of the fully loaded vehicle (including 
all options, equipment, passengers 
and cargo). The GVWR is shown on the 
Certification Label located on the driver’s 
door sill.
VEHICLE LOAD LIMIT   
         
        
        
     
        
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