5-1. Before driving
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• Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
• Check the load in the trailer. Make sure the load has not shifted. Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
• Check the load in the vehicle. Make sure the vehicle is not overloaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying
occurred is beyond the limit of your particular vehicle-trailer combination. Drive at a lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the towing vehicle-trailer
increases as speed increases.
WARNING n Trailer towing precautions
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in accordance with the trailer’ s characteristics and operating conditions. Failure to do so could cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury. Vehicle stability and braking performance are affected by trailer stability, brake setting and performance,
and the hitch. Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer.
n To avoid accident or injury lDo not exceed the TWR, unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR
or GAWR.
lAWD models: If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb.( 907 kg), a sway control device with sufficient capacity is required.
lAdjust the tongue weight within the appropriate range. Place heavier loads as close to the
trailer axle as possible. lDo not exceed 65 mph( 104 km / h), the posted towing speed limit or the speed limit for your trailer as set forth in your trailer owner’ s manual, whichever is lowest. Slow down sufficiently
before making a turn, in cross winds, on wet or slippery surface, etc. to help avoid an accident. If you experience a vehicle-trailer instability from
reducing a certain speed, slow
down and make sure you keep your vehicle speed under the
speed of which you experience the instability.
lDo not make jerky, abrupt or sharp turns.
lDo not apply the brakes suddenly as you may skid, resulting
in jackknifing and loss of vehicle control. This is especially true
on wet or slippery surfaces.
lDo not exceed the trailer hitch
assembly weight, gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight and
trailer tongue weight capacities.
lSlow down and downshift
before descending steep or long downhill grades. Do not make
sudden downshifts while descending steep or long downhill grades.
lVehicle-trailer instability is more likely on steep long downhills.
Before descending steep or long downhill grades, slow
down and downshift. Do not make sudden downshifts when descending steep or long downhill grades. Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in reduced braking efficiency.
5
Driving