Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s TiresBe sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the upper limitfor cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on theCertification/Tire label. See Loading Your Vehicle onpage 4-47. Then be sure you don’t go over the GVW limitfor your vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue.HitchesIt’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roadsare a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch.Here are some rules to follow:• The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intendedfor hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or otherbumper-type hitches to it. Use only a frame-mountedhitch that does not attach to the bumper.• Will you have to make any holes in the body of yourvehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do,then be sure to seal the holes later when you removethe hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly carbonmonoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into yourvehicle. See Engine Exhaust on page 2-33. Dirt andwater can, too.Safety ChainsYou should always attach chains between your vehicleand your trailer. Cross the safety chains under thetongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop tothe road if it becomes separated from the hitch.Instructions about safety chains may be provided by thehitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer.Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for attachingsafety chains and do not attach them to the bumper.Always leave just enough slack so you can turn withyour rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag on theground.Trailer BrakesBecause your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, don’t try totap into your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system. If you do,both brake systems won’t work well, or at all. If youtow more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg), use trailer brakes.Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailerbrakes so you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintainthem properly.4-55
