TOWING A TRAILER
LIMITATIONS
The vehicle's load capacity designation is
by weight, not by volume, so you cannot
necessarily use all available space when
loading a vehicle or trailer.
Note: Your vehicle could have reduced
performance when operating at high
altitudes and when heavily loaded or towing
a trailer. When driving at elevation, to match
driving performance as perceived at sea
level, reduce gross vehicle weight and gross
combination weight by 2% per 1,000 ft
(300 m) elevation.
LOADING YOUR TRAILER
To help minimize how trailer movement
affects your vehicle when driving:
• Load the heaviest items closest to the
trailer floor.
• Load the heaviest items centered
between the left and right side trailer
tires.
• Load the heaviest items above the
trailer axles or just slightly forward
toward the trailer tongue. Do not allow
the final trailer tongue weight to go
above or below 10-15% of the loaded
trailer weight. The trailer tongue weight
should never exceed 10% of the
maximum towing capacity.
• Select a ball mount with the correct
rise or drop. When both the loaded
vehicle and trailer are connected, the
trailer frame should be level, or slightly
angled down toward your vehicle,
when viewed from the side.
TRAILER TOWING HINTS
Towing a trailer places an extra load on
your vehicle's engine, transmission, axle,
brakes, tires and suspension. Periodically
inspect these components during and after
any towing operation.
When driving with a trailer or payload, a
slight takeoff vibration or shudder may be
present due to the increased payload
weight.
Your vehicle may have a temporary or
conventional spare tire. A temporary spare
tire is different in diameter or width,
tread-type, or is from a different
manufacturer than the road tires on your
vehicle. Consult information on the tire
label or Safety Compliance label for
limitations when using.
When towing a trailer:
• Obey country specific regulations for
towing a trailer.
• Do not drive faster than 70 mph
(113 km/h) during the first 500 mi
(800 km).
• Do not make full-throttle starts.
• Check your hitch, electrical connections
and trailer wheel lug nuts thoroughly
after you have traveled 50 mi (80 km).
• When stopped in congested or heavy
traffic during hot weather, place the
transmission in park (P) to aid engine
and transmission cooling and to help
A/C performance.
• Turn off the speed control with heavy
loads or in hilly terrain. The speed
control may turn off when you are
towing on long, steep slopes.
• Shift to a lower gear when driving down
a long or steep hill. Do not continuously
apply the brakes, as they may overheat
and become less effective.
326
Explorer (CTW) Canada/Mexico/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 202401, DOM
Towing a Trailer
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