Pulling A TrailerHere are some important points:• There are many different laws, including speed limitrestrictions, having to do with trailering. Make surethe rig will be legal, not only where you live butalso where you will be driving. A good source forthis information can be state or provincial police.• Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles(1600 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,transmission or other parts could be damaged.The repairs would not be covered by the vehicle’swarranty.• Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that atrailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)and do not make starts at full throttle. This helpsthe engine and other parts of the vehicle wear in atthe heavier loads.• Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift the transmissionto a lower gear if the transmission shifts too oftenunder heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.• Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.Do not drive faster than the maximum postedspeed for trailers, or no more than 55 mph(90 km/h), to save wear on the vehicle’s parts.• Do not tow a trailer when the outside temperature isabove 100°F (38°C).Three important considerations have to do with weight:• The weight of the trailer• The weight of the trailer tongue• The total weight on the vehicle’s tiresWeight of the TrailerHow heavy can a trailer safely be?It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs (454 kg).But even that can be too heavy.It depends on how the rig is used. For example, speed,altitude, road grades, outside temperature and howmuch the vehicle is used to pull a trailer are allimportant. It can depend on any special equipment onthe vehicle, and the amount of tongue weight the vehiclecan carry. See “Weight of the Trailer Tongue” later inthis section for more information.Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only thedriver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the requiredtrailering equipment. The weight of additional optionalequipment, passengers and cargo in the tow vehiclemust be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight.Ask your dealer/retailer for trailering information oradvice, or write us at our Customer Assistance Offices.See Customer Assistance Offices on page 7-6 formore information.4-29
