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• Consider using a sway control.
See “Hitches” later in this
section.
• Do not tow a trailer at all during
the first 500 miles (800 km) the
new vehicle is driven. The
engine, axle or other parts could
be damaged.
• Then, during the first 500 miles
(800 km) that a trailer is towed, do
not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h)
and do not make starts at full
throttle. This helps the engine and
other parts of the vehicle wear in
at the heavier loads.
• Obey speed limit restrictions
when towing a trailer.
• The vehicles can tow in D (Drive).
Shift the transmission to a lower
gear if the transmission shifts too
often under heavy loads and/or
hilly conditions. See “Tow/Haul
Mode” later in this section.
• The vehicle is designed
primarily as a passenger and load
carrying vehicle. If a trailer is
towed, the vehicle will require
more frequent maintenance due
to the additional load.
Three important considerations have
to do with weight:
• The weight of the trailer.
• The weight of the trailer tongue.
• And the weight on the
vehicle’s tires
Weight of the Trailer
How heavy can a trailer safely be?
It depends on how the rig is
used. For example, speed, altitude,
road grades, outside temperature
and how much the vehicle is used to
pull a trailer are all important.
It can depend on any special
equipment on the vehicle, and the
amount of tongue weight the vehicle
can carry. See “Weight of the
Trailer Tongue” later in this section
for more information.
Maximum trailer weight is calculated
assuming only the driver is in the
tow vehicle and it has all the
required trailering equipment. The
weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in
the tow vehicle must be subtracted
from the maximum trailer weight.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-27