
1514-1. Before driving
4
Driving
WARNING
■Overloading the vehicle
Do not overload the vehicle.
It may not only cause damage to 
the tires, but also degrade steer-
ing and braking ability, resulting in 
an accident.
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed pri-
marily as a passen-
ger-and-load-carrying 
vehicle. Towing a trailer can 
have an adverse impact on 
handling, performance, 
braking, durability, and fuel 
consumption. For your 
safety and the safety of oth-
ers, you must not overload 
your vehicle or trailer. You 
must also ensure that you 
are using appropriate tow-
ing equipment, that the tow-
ing equipment has been 
installed correctly and used 
properly, and that you 
employ the requisite driv-
ing habits.
Vehicle-trailer stability and 
braking performance are 
affected by trailer stability, 
brake performance and set-
ting, trailer brakes, the hitch 
and hitch systems (if 
equipped).
To tow a trailer safely, use 
extreme care and drive the 
vehicle in accordance with 
your trailer’s characteris-
tics and operating condi-
tions. 

1524-1. Before driving
■Matching trailer ball height to 
trailer coupler height
No matter which class of tow hitch 
applies, for a more safe trailer 
hookup, the trailer ball setup must 
be the proper height for the coupler 
on the trailer.
Coupler
Trailer ball
■Before towing
Check that the following conditions 
are met:
●Ensure that your vehicle’s tires 
are properly inflated. ( P.434)
●Trailer tires are inflated according 
to the trailer manufacturer’s rec-
ommendation.
●All trailer lights work as required 
by law.
●All lights work each time you con-
nect them.
●The trailer ball is set at the proper 
height for the coupler on the 
trailer.
●The trailer is level when it is 
hitched.
Do not drive if th e trailer is not 
level, and check for improper 
tongue weight, overloading, worn 
suspension, or other possible 
causes.
●The trailer cargo is securely 
loaded.
●The rear view mirr ors conform to 
all applicable fede ral, state/provin-
cial or local regulations. If they do 
not, install rear view mirrors 
appropriate for towing purposes.
■Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped 
with any new power train compo-
nents (such as an engine, transaxle, 
transfer [AWD models], rear differ-
ential [AWD models] or wheel bear-
ing), Toyota recommends that you 
do not tow a trailer until the vehicle 
has been driven for over 500 miles 
(800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for 
over 500 miles (800 km), you can 
start towing. However, for the next 
500 miles (800 km), drive the vehi-
cle at a speed of less than 50 mph 
(80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and 
avoid full throttle acceleration.
■Maintenance
●If you tow a trailer, your vehicle 
will require more fr equent mainte-
nance due to the additional load. 
(See “Scheduled Maintenance 
Guide” or “Owner ’s Manual Sup-
plement”.)
●Retighten the fixing bolts of the 
towing ball and bracket after 
approximately 600 miles (1000 
km) of tra iler towing.
Toyota warranties do not 
apply to damage or mal-
function caused by towing a 
trailer for commercial pur-
poses.
Contact your Toyota dealer 
for further information 
about additional require-
ments such as a towing kit, 
etc. 

1534-1. Before driving
4
Driving
■If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, 
passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) 
can adversely affect handling of 
your vehicle and trailer, causing 
instability.
●If trailer swaying occurs:
• Firmly grip the steering wheel.  Steer straight ahead.
Do not try to control trailer sway-
ing by turning the steering wheel.
• Begin releasing the accelerator  pedal immediately but very gradu-
ally to reduce speed.
Do not increase speed. Do not 
apply vehicle brakes.
If you make no ext reme correction 
with the steering or brakes, your 
vehicle and trailer  should stabilize. 
(if enabled, Trailer Sway Control can 
also help to stabilize the vehicle and 
trailer.)
●After the trailer swaying has 
stopped:
• Stop in a safe place. Get all occu- pants out of the vehicle.
• Check the tires of the vehicle and  the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not 
shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is 
appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle. Make sure the vehicle is not over-
loaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the 
speed at which trailer swaying 
occurred is beyond the limit of your 
particular vehicle- trailer combina-
tion. Drive at a lower speed to pre-
vent instability. Remember that 
swaying of the towing vehicle-trailer 
increases as speed increases.
WARNING
■Trailer towing precautions
To tow a traile r safely, use 
extreme care and drive the vehi-
cle in accordance with the trailer’s 
characteristics and operating con-
ditions. Failure to do so could 
cause an accident resulting in 
death or serious injury. Vehicle 
stability and brak ing performance 
are affected by trailer stability, 
brake setting and performance, 
and the hitch. Your vehicle will 
handle differently when towing a 
trailer.
■To avoid accident or injury
●Do not exceed the TWR, 
unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR 
or GAWR.
●Adjust the tongue weight within 
the appropriate range. Place 
heavier loads as close to the 
trailer axle as possible.
●Do not exceed 65 mph (104 
km/h), the posted towing speed 
limit or the spee d limit for your 
trailer as set forth in your trailer 
owner’s manual, whichever is 
lowest. Slow down sufficiently 
before making a turn, in cross 
winds, on wet or slippery sur-
face, etc. to help avoid an acci-
dent. If you experience a 
vehicle-trailer instability from 
reducing a certain speed, slow 
down and make sure you keep 
your vehicle speed under the 
speed of which you experience 
the instability.
●Do not make jerky, abrupt or 
sharp turns.
●Do not apply the brakes sud-
denly as you may skid, resulting 
in jackknifing and loss of vehicle 
control. This is especially true 
on wet or slippery surfaces. 

1544-1. Before driving
■GCWR (Gross Combination 
Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross 
combination weight. The gross 
combination weight is the sum 
of the total vehicle weight 
(including the occupants, cargo 
and any optional equipment 
installed on the vehicle) and the 
weight of the trailer being towed 
(including the cargo in the 
trailer).
WARNING
●Do not exceed th e trailer hitch 
assembly weight, gross vehicle 
weight, gross axle weight and 
trailer tongue weight capacities.
●Do not use the following sys-
tems when trailer towing.
• Dynamic radar cruise control  with full-speed range
• LTA (Lane Tracing Assist)
• LDA (Lane Departure Alert)
• PKSB (Parking Support Brake)  (if equipped)
• RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert)  (if equipped)
• PCS (Pre-Collision System)
• BSM (Blind Spot Monitor) (if  equipped)
●Slow down and downshift 
before descending steep or long 
downhill grades. Do not make 
sudden downshifts while 
descending steep or long down-
hill grades.
●Vehicle-trailer in stability is more 
likely on steep long downhills. 
Before descending steep or 
long downhill grades, slow 
down and downshift. Do not 
make sudden downshifts when 
descending steep or long down-
hill grades. Avoid holding the 
brake pedal down too long or 
applying the brakes too fre-
quently. This could cause the 
brakes to overheat and result in 
reduced braking efficiency.
●Do not tow a trailer when the 
compact spare tire is installed 
on your vehicle.
■When towing a trailer
Toyota recommends trailers with 
brakes that conform to any appli-
cable federal and s tate/provincial 
regulations.
●If the gross tr ailer weight 
exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer 
brakes are required. Toyota rec-
ommends trailers with brakes 
that conform to all applicable 
federal and state/provincial reg-
ulations.
●Never tap into your vehicle’s 
hydraulic system, as this will 
lower the vehicle’s braking 
effectiveness.
●Never tow a traile r without using 
a safety chain securely attached 
to both the trailer and the vehi-
cle. If damage occurs to the 
coupling unit or hitch ball, there 
is danger of the trailer wander-
ing into another lane.
Towing related terms 

1554-1. Before driving
4
Driving
■GVWR (Gross Vehicle 
Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross 
vehicle weight. The gross vehi-
cle weight is the total weight of 
the vehicle. When towing a 
trailer, it is the sum of the vehicle 
weight (including the occu-
pants, cargo and any optional 
equipment installed on the vehi-
cle) and the tongue weight.
■GAWR (Gross Axle Weight 
Rating)
The maximum allowable gross 
axle weight. The gross axle 
weight is the load placed on 
each axle (front and rear). Front GAWR
Rear GAWR
■TWR (Trailer Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross 
trailer weight. The gross trailer 
weight is the sum of the trailer 
weight and the weight of the 
cargo in the trailer.
TWR is calculated assuming 
base vehicle with one driver, 
one front passenger, towing 
package (if available), hitch and 
hitch systems (if required).
Additional optional equipment, pas-
sengers and cargo in the vehicle 
will reduce the trailer weight rating 
so as not to exceed GCWR, GVWR 
and GAWR. 

1564-1. Before driving
With brakes
■Unbraked TWR (Unbraked 
Trailer Weight Rating)
The trailer weight rating for tow-
ing a trailer without a trailer ser-
vice brake system.
Without brakes
■Tongue Weight
The load placed on the trailer 
hitch ball. ( P.156)
 The gross trailer weight must 
never exceed 1500 lb. (680 
kg).
 The gross combination weight 
must never exceed the follow-
ing:
• 2WD models: 5790 lb. (2625 kg)
• AWD models: 5955 lb. (2700 kg)
The gross vehicle weight 
must never exceed the 
GVWR indicated on the Certi-
fication Label. ( P.429)
 The gross axle weight on 
each axle must never exceed 
the GAWR indicated on the 
Certification Label. ( P.429)
 If the gross trailer weight is 
over the unbraked TWR, 
trailer service brakes are 
required.
Confirm that the gross trailer 
weight, gross combination 
weight, gross vehicle weight, 
gross axle weight and tongue 
weight are all within the limits.
■GCWR*
2WD models: 5790 lb. (2625 kg)
AWD models: 5955 lb. (2700 kg)
■TWR*
1500 lb. (680 kg)
■Unbraked TWR*
1500 lb. (680 kg)
*: These models meet the tow-vehi- cle trailering requirement of SAE 
International per SAE J2807.
 A recommended tongue 
weight varies in accordance 
with the types of trailers or 
Weight limits
GCWR, TWR and 
Unbraked TWR
Trailer Tongue Weight 

1574-1. Before driving
4
Driving
towing as described below.
 To ensure the recommended 
values shown below, the 
trailer must be loaded by 
referring to the following 
instructions.
• Tongue Weight
The gross trailer weight should be 
distributed so that the tongue 
weight is 9% to 11%.
(Tongue weight/Gross trailer weight 
x 100 = 9% to 11%)
Gross trailer weight
Tongue weight
The gross trailer  weight, gross axle 
weight and tongue weight can be 
measured with platform scales 
found at a highway weighing sta-
tion, building supply company, 
trucking company, junk yard, etc.
Trailer hitch assemblies have 
different weight capacities. Toy-
ota recommends the use of Toy-
ota hitch/bracket for your 
vehicle. For details, contact your 
Toyota dealer.
 If you wish to install a trailer  hitch, contact your Toyota 
dealer.
 Use only a hitch that con-
forms to the gross trailer 
weight requirement of your 
vehicle.
 Follow the directions supplied 
by the hitch manufacturer.
 Lubricate the hitch ball with a 
light coating of grease.
 Remove the hitch ball when-
ever you are not towing a 
trailer. Remove the trailer 
hitch if you do not need it. 
After removing the hitch, seal 
any mounting hole in the vehi-
cle body to prevent entry of 
any substances into the vehi-
cle.
Hitch
WARNING
■Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have dif-
ferent weight capacities estab-
lished by the hitch manufacturer. 
Even though the vehicle may be 
physically capable of towing a 
higher weight, the operator must 
determine the maximum weight 
rating of the particular hitch 
assembly and never exceed the 
maximum weight rating specified 
for the trailer-hitch. Exceeding the 
maximum weight rating set by the 
trailer-hitch manufacturer can 
cause an accident resulting in 
death or serious personal injuries. 

1584-1. Before driving
Weight carrying ball position: 
37.5 in. (952.0 mm)
Hitch receiver pin hole posi-
tion: 31.6 in. (801.5 mm)
Please consult your dealer 
when installing trailer lights, as 
incorrect installation may cause 
damage to the vehicle's lights. 
Please take care to comply with 
your state's laws when installing 
trailer lights. Your vehicle will handle differ-
ently when towing a trailer. Help 
to avoid an accident, death or 
serious injury, keep the following 
in mind when towing:
Speed limits for towing a 
trailer vary by state or prov-
ince. Do not exceed the 
posted towing speed limit.
 Toyota recommends that the 
vehicle-trailer speed limit is 65 
mph (104 km/h) on a flat, 
straight, dry road. Do not 
exceed this limit, the posted 
towing speed limit or the 
speed limit for your trailer as 
set forth in your trailer owner’s 
manual, whichever is lowest. 
Instability of the towing vehi-
cle-trailer combination (trailer 
sway) increases as speed 
increases. Exceeding speed 
limits may cause loss of con-
trol.
 Before starting out, check the 
trailer lights, tires and the 
vehicle-trailer connections. 
Recheck after driving a short 
distance.
 Practice turning, stopping and 
reversing with the trailer 
attached in an area away 
from traffic until you become 
accustomed to the feel of the 
vehicle-trailer combination.
 Reversing with a trailer 
attached is difficult and 
NOTICE
■When installing a trailer hitch
Use only the position recom-
mended by your Toyota dealer. 
Do not install the trailer hitch on 
the bumper; this may cause body 
damage.
Positions for towing hitch 
receiver and hitch ball
Connecting trailer lights
NOTICE
■Do not directly splice trailer 
lights
Do not directly splice trailer lights. 
Directly splicing trailer lights may 
damage your vehicle’s electrical 
system and cause a malfunction.
Trailer towing tips