Towing a Trailer

Towing a trailer requires experience. The combination of vehicle and trailer is not as responsive as the vehicle alone. Towing a trailer also requires additional equipment and proper trip planning. Plan your trip according to speed limits for towing a trailer, which may vary from state to state. Always observe the posted speed limits when towing a trailer.

Remember that driving with a trailer is different from normal driving. Towing a trailer changes acceleration, braking, handling, stability, and fuel economy. For the safety of you and your passengers, do not overload your vehicle or trailer. See the table in this section for maximum towing capacity and load capacity.

This section contains important trailer recommendations and safety rules. These recommendations are important for your safety and the safety of your passengers. Be sure to read this section carefully and plan ahead before towing a trailer.

WARNING

To avoid serious injury or death:

• If you do not use the correct equipment and/or drive incorrectly, you may lose control of your vehicle while towing a trailer. For example, if the trailer is too heavy, braking performance may decrease. Tow a trailer only if you have followed all steps in this section.
• Before towing, make sure the gross trailer weight, gross combined weight (GCW), gross vehicle weight (GVW), and tongue load of the trailer are within limits.
• When towing a trailer, be sure to disable the Idle Stop and Go system.