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Hitches
Safety
Chains
It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment.
Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads are a
few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here
are
some rules to follow:
0
The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended
for hitches.
Do
not attach rental hitches or
other bumper-type hitches to them. Use only
a
frame-mounted hitch that does not attach to
the bumper.
Will you have to make any holes in the body
of
your
vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If
you
do,
then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove
the hitch.
If
you
don’t seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide
(CO)
from your exhaust can get into your
vehicle (see “Carbon Monoxide” in the Index). Dirt
and water can, too.
You
should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer
so
that the tongue will not drop to the
road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer
or
by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so
you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains
to
drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
If your trailer weighs more than
1,000
lbs.
(450
kg)
loaded, then it needs its
own
brakes
--
and they must
be adequate. Be sure to read and follow the instructions
for the trailer brakes
so
you’ll be able to install, adjust
and maintain them properly. Because you have anti-lock
brakes,
do
not try to tap into your vehicle’s brake
system.
If
you
do, both brake systems won’t work well,
or at all.
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