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Trailer Towing (Outback)
. Check that the vehicle rests horizontally
with the trailer attached. If the vehicle
is tipped sharply up at the front and down
at the rear, check the total trailer weight,
GVW, GAWs and tongue load again, then
confirm that the load and its distribution are
acceptable.
. Check that the tire pressures are
correct.
. Check that the vehicle and trailer are
connected properly. Confirm that
– The trailer tongue is connected
properly to the hitch ball.
– The trailer lights connector is connected
properly and trailer’s stop lights
illuminate when the vehicle’s brake
pedal is pressed, and that the trailer’s
turn signal lights flash when the vehicle’s
turn signal lever is operated.
– The safety chains are connected
properly.
– All cargo in the trailer is secured
safely in position.
– The side mirrors provide a good
rearward field of view without a significant
blind spot.
. Sufficient time should be taken to learn
the “feel” of the vehicle/trailer combination
before starting out on a trip. In an area free
of traffic, practice turning, stopping and
backing up.
! Driving with a trailer
s08al0502
. You should allow for considerably more
stopping distance when towing a trailer.
Avoid sudden braking because it may
result in skidding or jackknifing and loss
of control.
. Avoid abrupt starts and sudden accelerations.
. Avoid uneven steering, sharp turns and
rapid lane changes.
. Slow down before turning. Make a
longer than normal turning radius because
the trailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. In a
tight turn, the trailer could hit your vehicle.
. Crosswinds will adversely affect the
handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing
sway. Crosswinds can be due to
weather conditions or the passing of large
trucks or buses. If swaying occurs, firmly
grip the steering wheel and promptly begin
decelerating your vehicle at a gradual
pace.
. When passing other vehicles, considerable
distance is required because of the
added weight and length caused by
attaching the trailer to your vehicle.
. Reversing the vehicle with a trailer can
be difficult and requires experience. Never
accelerate or steer rapidly, and grip the
bottom of the steering wheel with one
hand.
To reverse around a corner, perform the
following procedure.
1. Reverse slowly and steer in the opposite
direction to the way you want to turn.
2. Once the trailer begins to swing