ESSENTIAL TOWING CHECKS
Follow these guidelines for safe towing:
•
Do not tow a trailer until you drive your
vehicle at least 1000 miles (1600
kilometers).
•
Consult your local motor vehicle laws for
towing a trailer.
•
See the instructions included with towing
accessories for the proper installation
and adjustment specifications.
•
Service your vehicle more frequently if
you tow a trailer. See your scheduled
maintenance information.
•
If you use a rental trailer, follow the
instructions the rental agency gives you.
You can find information on load
specification terms found on the tire label
and Safety Compliance label as well as
instructions on calculating your vehicle's load
in the Load Carrying chapter. See
Load Limit
(page 187).
Remember to account for the trailer tongue
weight as part of your vehicle load when
calculating the total vehicle weight.
Hitches
Do not use a hitch that either clamps onto
the bumper or attaches to the axle.
Distribute the trailer load so 10-15% of the
total trailer weight is on the tongue.
Safety Chains
Note:
Never attach safety chains to the
bumper.
Always connect the safety chains to the hook
retainers of your vehicle hitch.
To connect the safety chains, cross them
under the trailer tongue and allow enough
slack for turning tight corners. Do not allow
the chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
WARNING
Do not connect a trailer's hydraulic
brake system directly to your vehicle's
brake system. Your vehicle may not
have enough braking power and your chances
of having a collision greatly increase.
Electric brakes and manual, automatic or
surge-type trailer brakes are safe if you install
them properly and adjust them to the
manufacturer's specifications. The trailer
brakes must meet local and federal
regulations.
The rating for the tow vehicle's braking
system operation is at the gross vehicle
weight rating, not the gross combined
weight rating.
Trailer Lamps
WARNING
Never connect any trailer lamp wiring
to the vehicle's tail lamp wiring; this
may damage the electrical system
resulting in fire. Contact your authorized
dealer as soon as possible for assistance in
proper trailer tow wiring installation.
Additional electrical equipment may be
required.
Trailer lamps are required on most towed
vehicles. Make sure all running lights, brake
lights, turn signals and hazard lights are
working.
200
MKS (), enUSA
Towing
Summary of Contents for 2015 MKS
Page 3: ...I n f o r ma t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...
Page 9: ...6 MKS enUSA I n f o r ma t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...
Page 115: ...E138647 112 MKS enUSA Seats I n f o r ma t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...
Page 195: ...Example only E142523 192 MKS enUSA Load Carrying I n f o r ma t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...
Page 301: ...E142732 298 MKS enUSA Capacities and Specifications I n f o r ma t i o nP r o v i d e db y ...