Load Limits

• The trailer mass (whether or not the trailer is equipped with brakes), including its own mass, the mass of the coupling device and the mass of the cargo, must not exceed the maximum permitted towed trailer mass.

• The vertical load on the vehicle's towing hitch with a fully loaded trailer must not exceed 100 kgf. The maximum vertical load is the part of the fully loaded trailer's weight that is transferred to the towing hitch. For trailers with a gross mass up to 1000 kg, observe the following rule: the vertical load on the vehicle's towing hitch should be approximately 10% of the trailer's gross mass.

• For example, if the gross mass of a loaded trailer is 225 kg, the vertical load on the towing hitch should be about 22.5 kgf. Adjust the load on the vehicle's towing hitch by properly positioning the cargo on the trailer. As a starting point, it is recommended to distribute the cargo so that approximately 60 percent of its mass is located in front of the trailer axle, and 40 percent of the mass is located behind the axle. If the gross mass of the trailer exceeds 1000 kg, distribute the cargo more evenly along the length of the trailer than indicated above.

Never load the trailer so that the rear of the trailer outweighs the front. This will unload the vehicle's rear wheels, which reduces the vehicle's traction (driving force).

• The gross masses of the vehicle and the towed trailer must not exceed their respective maximum permitted values.

• The gross vehicle mass includes: the curb mass of the vehicle, the mass of the driver, passengers and luggage, the mass of the towing hitch, and the part of the trailer mass transferred to the towing hitch.

The gross vehicle weight and the gross trailer weight must not exceed the respective maximum permissible values.

These values are calculated for altitudes up to 1000 meters above sea level.

If you plan to tow a trailer in mountainous terrain, remember to reduce the gross vehicle and trailer weight by 10% for every 1000 meters above sea level.

The gross combination weight is the sum of the gross vehicle weight and the gross trailer weight.

• Remember that the weight of any additional equipment installed on the vehicle and the tongue load on the trailer hitch reduce the vehicle's payload by the corresponding amount.

Towing a trailer whose weight exceeds the maximum permissible value is not allowed, since this would seriously impair vehicle handling and performance. In addition, this may cause damage to the engine or transmission.