Pre-towing tips

● Be certain your vehicle maintains a level position when a loaded and/or unloaded trailer is hitched. Do not drive the vehicle if it has an abnormal nose-up or nose-down condition; check for improper tongue load, overload, worn suspension or other possible causes of either condition.

● Always secure items in the trailer to prevent load shift while driving.

● Keep the cargo load as low as possible in the trailer to keep the trailer center of gravity low.

● Load the trailer so approximately 60% of the trailer load is in the front half and 40% is in the back half. Also make sure the load is balanced side to side.

● Check your hitch, trailer tire pressure, vehicle tire pressure, trailer light operation, and trailer wheel lug nuts every time you attach a trailer to the vehicle.

● Be certain your rearview mirrors conform to all federal, state or local regulations. If not, install any mirrors required for towing before driving the vehicle.

● Determine the overall height of the vehicle and trailer so the required clearance is known.

    See also:

    Tire pressures
    - When towing a trailer, inflate the vehicle tires to the recommended cold tire pressure indicated on the Tire and Loading Information label. - Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and p ...

    Hitch ball
    Choose a hitch ball of the proper size and weight rating for your trailer. ● The required hitch ball size is stamped on most trailer couplers. Most hitch balls also have the size printed ...

    Lift gate
    - Always be sure the lift gate has been closed securely to prevent it from opening while driving. - Do not drive with the lift gate open. This could allow dangerous exhaust gases to be dra ...