Towing a Trailer
Trailer Hitches
Your Honda dealer, or the Honda
Customer Relations Zone Office,
can give you advice on the proper
hitch for your car. Never use a
hitch that mounts only to the rear
bumper. The bumper is not
designed to handle that type of
load. The hitch should bolt to the
underbody of the car and
distribute the load over a wide
area. Always have a trailer hitch
installed by a qualified technician.
A trailer hitch that is not
adequate for the size of the
trailer, or a hitch that is
improperly installed, can cause
damage to the underside of your
car.
Mirrors
Many states and provinces have
laws requiring special outside
mirrors when you are towing a
trailer. Check the laws in your
area. You may want to install
mirrors, even if they are not
required. Hook up the trailer and
see how much it obscures your
ability to see behind you with the
standard mirrors. If you cannot
see directly behind you, or have a
large blind spot next to the trailer
or the car, you should install
mirrors intended for towing.
Connecting the Trailer
Most trailers that have a gross
weight of 1,000 Ib (450 kg) do not
have their own braking system. If
you are thinking of getting a
trailer that does have brakes,
make sure they are electrically
operated. There are no provisions
in your car to tap into its
hydraulic braking system. Any
attempt to attach the trailer's
brakes to your car's hydraulic
system, no matter how successful
it may seem, will lower braking
effectiveness and create a
potential hazard.
Always use a safety chain when
towing a trailer. Connect the
safety chain securely at both
ends. Make sure the chain crosses
under the tongue so it will catch
the trailer if it becomes
unhitched. Leave enough slack in
the chain so it can't bind in a
sharp turn. Do not let it drag on
the ground.
Driving
NOTICE