Page 217 of 332

TRAILER TOWING
In this section you will find safety tips and
information on limits to the type of towing you
can reasonably do with your vehicle. Before
towing a trailer, carefully review this information
to tow your load as efficiently and safely as
possible.
To maintain the New Vehicle Limited Warranty
coverage, follow the requirements and recom-
mendations in this manual concerning vehicles
used for trailer towing.
Common Towing DefinitionsThe 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.
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW)
The GTW is the weight of the trailer plus the
weight of all cargo, consumables and equip-ment (permanent or temporary) loaded in or on
the trailer in its"loaded 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 sup-
ported by the scale.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
The GCWR is the total permissible weight of
your vehicle and trailer when weighed in com-
bination.
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.
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.Tongue Weight (TW)
The tongue weight is the downward force ex-
erted on the hitch ball by the trailer. Tongue
weight must not exceed the lesser of either the
hitch certification rating, or the trailer tongue
chassis rating. You must consider tongue load
as part of the load on your vehicle and its
GAWR.
WARNING!
An improperly adjusted hitch system may
reduce handling, stability and braking perfor-
mance and could result in an accident. Con-
sult with your hitch and trailer manufacturer
or a reputable trailer/caravan dealer for ad-
ditional information.
Frontal Area
The frontal area is the maximum height multi-
plied by the maximum width of the front of a
trailer.
213
Page 222 of 332

Towing Requirements — Trailer Brakes
–Donotinterconnect the hydraulic brake sys-
tem or vacuum system of your vehicle with
that of the trailer. This could cause inad-
equate braking and possible personal injury.
– When towing a trailer equipped with a hy-
draulic surge actuated brake system, an
electronic brake controller is not required.
– Trailer brakes are recommended for trailers
over 1,000 lbs (453 kg) and required for
trailers in excess of 1,653 lbs (749 kg).
CAUTION!
If the trailer weighs more than 1,000 lbs
(453 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.
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 stop-
ping distance. When towing, you should
allow for additional space between your
vehicle and the vehicle 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, stop lights and turn signals on the
trailer are required for motoring safety.The Trailer Tow Package may includea7ora
13–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.
7-Pin Connector
218
Page 324 of 332

Electronic Roll Mitigation........194
Traction Control System........191
Electronic Speed Control (Cruise Control) .102
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)......191
Electronic Throttle Control Warning Light. .128
Electronic Vehicle Information Center
(EVIC)...................139
Emergency, In Case Of
Jacking..................228
Jump Starting..............241
Towing..................247
Engine..................253, 254
Air Cleaner................258
Break-In Recommendations.......57
Checking Oil Level............256
Coolant (Antifreeze)...........263
Cooling..................263
Exhaust Gas Caution...........58
Fuel Requirements............210
Jump Starting..............241
Oil ..................256, 280
Oil Change Interval...........257
Oil Filler Cap.........253, 254, 257
Oil Filter.................258
Oil Selection...............257
Oil Synthetic...............258
Overheating...............227Enhanced Accident Response Feature . . .43
Event Data Recorder.............45
Exhaust Gas Caution.............58
Exhaust System.............58, 262
Exterior Lights.................60
Filters
Air Cleaner................258
Air Conditioning..........158, 260
Engine Oil................258
Engine Oil Disposal...........258
Flash-To-Pass.................98
Flashers
Hazard Warning.............227
Turn Signal...........60, 136, 280
Flooded Engine Starting...........166
Fluid Capacities...............280
Fluid Leaks...................60
Fluid Level Checks
Automatic Transaxle........268, 269
Cooling System.............263
Power Steering.............184
Fluid, Brake..................282
Fluids, Lubricants And Genuine Parts . . .281
Fog Lights................97, 279
Folding Rear Seat...............94
Four Wheel Drive............134, 178Systems.................178
Four Wheel Drive Operation.........178
Four-Way Hazard Flasher..........227
Freeing A Stuck Vehicle...........243
Fuel......................210
Adding..................212
Additives.................211
Capacity.................280
Filler Cap (Gas Cap)..........212
Gasoline.................210
Gauge..................133
Octane Rating..............210
Requirements..............210
Tank Capacity..............280
Fueling....................212
Fuses.....................274
Gas Cap (Fuel Filler Cap).......212, 256
Gasoline (Fuel).............210, 280
Gasoline, Clean Air..............211
Gauges
Fuel....................133
Gear Ranges..............170, 174
Gear Select Lever Override.........244
Glass Cleaning................273
Gross Axle Weight Rating..........213
320