2021 INFINITI Towing Guide
21 Other Recommendations and Information – Towing performance and speed are
affected by vehicle payload, tow weight, road grades, and weather conditions,
including high temperatures. See your vehicle owner’s manual for details.
TOWING GLOSSARY
BALL MOUNT A bar that holds the hitch ball and is inserted into the hitch receiver.
BREAKAWAY SWITCH A safety device using a trailer battery that automatically applies the trailer’s
brakes if it should accidentally become separated from the tow vehicle.
A breakaway switch may be used with both electric or surge trailer brake
systems.
BUMPER HITCH A reinforced bumper designed to accommodate a hitch ball.
ELECTRIC TRAILER
BRAKES When the brakes on a tow vehicle are applied, an electric current is sent to
an actuator which applies the trailer’s brakes.
ELECTRIC TRAILER
BRAKE CONTROLLER A device that controls the electric trailer brakes.
GROSS AXLE
WEIGHT RATING
(GAWR) The maximum amount of weight each vehicle axle (front and rear) is
designed to safely carry.
GROSS COMBINED
WEIGHT RATING
(GCWR) The maximum allowable combined weight of the vehicle and trailer,
including passengers and all cargo.
GROSS VEHICLE
WEIGHT RATING
(GVWR) The maximum allowable weight of the vehicle, including passengers, cargo,
fuel, hitch, trailer tongue load, and any optional equipment.
HITCH BALL
A ball that connects the trailer to the tow vehicle hitch that provides the
means by which the trailer pivots during cornering. Available in a number of
sizes and weight capacities, it must correspond to the trailer coupler size, and
have a sufficient capacity rating for the trailer being pulled.
RECEIVER HITCH A frame- or structure-mounted hitch with a receiver that allows removal of the
ball mount.
SAFETY CHAINS/CABLES Provides an emergency connection between the tow vehicle and the trailer,
should the trailer become disengaged for any reason.
SURGE BRAKES
Hydraulic-type braking system activated by inertia. As the tow vehicle begins
to brake, the trailer pushes against the hitch ball, consequently activating the
trailer brakes.
TRAILER
TONGUE/COUPLER The part of the trailer that extends forward to meet the tow vehicle, and
carries the coupler assembly.
