Towing Requirements: Notes
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drivetrain components, the following guidelines are recommended:
NOTE:
Trailer towing requires special rear axle lubricant. Refer to appropriate "Fluids, Lubricants, and Genuine Parts"
.
CAUTION:
Avoid towing a trailer for the first 500 miles (805 km) of vehicle operation. Doing so may damage your vehicle.
Perform the maintenance listed in the Maintenance Schedules . When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR, or GCWR, ratings.
WARNING:
Improper towing can lead to an injury accident. Follow these guidelines to make the trailer towing as safe as possible:
Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer and will not shift during travel. When trailering cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic load shifts can occur that may be difficult for the driver to control. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious or fatal injury.
- When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can cause a loss of control, poor performance or damage to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chassis structure or tires.
- Safety chains must always be used between your vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to the frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough slack for turning corners.
- Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. When parking, apply the parking brake on the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic transmission in PARK (P) and with four-wheel-drive vehicles, make sure the transfer case is not in N (Neutral). Always, block or "chock" the trailer wheels.
- GCWR must not be exceeded.
- Total weight must be distributed between the tow vehicle and the trailer such that the following four ratings are not exceeded:
- GVWR
- GTW
- GAWR
- Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized (This requirement may limit the ability to always achieve the 4% to 10% range of tongue weight as a percentage of total trailer weight).