HitchesIt is important to have the correct hitch equipment.Crosswinds, large trucks going by and rough roads area few reasons why you will need the right hitch. Hereare some rules to follow:• The rear bumper on your vehicle is not intended forhitches. Do not attach rental hitches or otherbumper-type hitches to it. Use only aframe-mounted hitch that does not attach to thebumper.• Will you have to make any holes in the body ofyour vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? Ifyou do, then be sure to seal the holes later whenyou remove the hitch. If you do not seal them,deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaustcan get into your vehicle. See Engine Exhauston page 2-40. Dirt and water can, too.Safety ChainsYou should always attach chains between your vehicleand your trailer. Cross the safety chains under thetongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop tothe road if it becomes separated from the hitch.Instructions about safety chains may be provided by thehitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer.Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for attachingsafety chains and do not attach them to the bumper.Always leave just enough slack so you can turn withyour rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag on theground.Trailer BrakesBecause you have anti-lock brakes, do not try to tap intoyour vehicle’s hydraulic brake system. If you do, bothbrake systems will not work well, or at all. If you tow morethan 1,000 lbs. (450 kg), use trailer brakes. Be sure tofollow the instructions that come with the trailer or fromthe brake manufacturer.Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailerbrakes so you will be able to maintain them properly.Driving with a TrailerTowing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.Before setting out for the open road, you will want to getto know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel ofhandling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are drivingis now a good deal longer and not nearly as responsiveas your vehicle is by itself.Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer haselectric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving andthen apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be surethe brakes are working. This lets you check yourelectrical connection at the same time.4-42
