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If You Do Decide to Pull a Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
• There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make
sure your rig will be legal, not only where you live
but also where you’ll be driving. A good source
for this information can be state or provincial police.
• Consider using a sway control. See “Hitches” later
in this section.
• Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(805 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged. The
repairs would not be covered by your warranty.
• Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that you
tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your
engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at
the heavier loads.
• If you have an automatic transaxle, you can use
Intermediate (I) or as you need to, a lower gear
which will minimize heat buildup and extend the life
of your transaxle.
• If you have a VTi variable transaxle, you can use
Drive (D) or as you need to Intermediate (I).
• If you have a manual transaxle, you should not use
fifth gear. Drive in fourth gear or as you need to a
lower gear.
• Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer.
Don’t drive faster than the maximum posted speed
for trailers, or no more than 55 mph (90 km/h),
to save wear on your vehicle’s parts.
• Don’t tow a trailer when the outside temperature is
above 100°F (38°C).
Three important considerations have to do with weight:
• the weight of the trailer,
• the weight of the trailer tongue
• and the total weight on your vehicle’s tires.
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It should never weigh more than 1,500 lbs. (680 kg)
for the four cylinder and 3500 lbs (1587 kg) for the
six cylinder. But even that can be too heavy.
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