Trailer Towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on handling, performance, braking, durability and driving economy (fuel consumption, etc.). Your satey and satisfaction depend on the proper use of correct equipment and cautious driving habits. For your safety and the afety of others, you must not overload your vehicle or trailer. Toyota warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction caused by towing a trailer for commercial purposes. Ask your local Toyota dealer for further details before towing, as there are additional legal requirements in some countries.
WEIGHT LIMITS
Before towing, confirm the towing capacity with your local Toyota dealer or the vehicle documents and make sure your trailer is within the towing capacity.
Towing capacity has been tested at seq-level. If you have to go to a high mountain area, keep in mind that the engin power and towing capacity will decrease.
TOWING BRAKETS
Toyota recommends using only Toyota-genuine-bracket.
TIRES
- Ensure that your vehicle's tires are properly inflated. (Checking Tyre Pressure.)
- The trailer tires should be infalted to the pressure recommended by the trailer manufacturer in respect to the total trailer weight.
TRAILER LIGHTS
- Check for correct operation of the turn signals and stop lights each time you hitch up. Direct splicing may damage your vehicle's electrical systema and cause a malfunction of your lights.
BREAK-IN SCHEDULE
- Toyota recommends that you do not tow a trailer with a new vehicle or a vehicle with any new power train components (engine, transmission, differential, wheel bearings, etc.) for the first 800 km (500 miles) of driving.
MAINTENANCE
- If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent maintenance due to the additional load.
PRE-TOWING SAFETY CHECK
- Be sure not to exceed designated maximum load for the ball coupling of the towing braket. Please remember that the ball coupling load will increase the load on the vehicle. Maximum permissible rear axle capacity must not be exceeded.
- Be sure the trailer cargo is securely loaded so that it may not shift.
- If the traffice behind the trailer cannot be seen properly with the standard rear view mirrors, additional outside mirrors will be necessary. Both outside mirrors must be fitted on folding arms and adjusted to give a good rear view at all times.
TRAILER TOWING TIPS
When towing a trailer, your vehicle will handle differently than when not towing. The three main causes of vehicle-trailer accidents are driver error, excessive speed and improper trailer loading. Keep these in mind when towing:
- Before starting out, check operation of the lights and all vehicle-trailer connections. After driving a short distance, stop and recheck the lights and connections. Before actually towing a trailer, practice turning, stopping and backing with a trailer in an area away from taffic until you learn the feel.
- Because stopping distance may be increased, vehicle-to-vehicle distance should be increased when towing a trailer. For each 10 km/h (6mph) of speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length between you an the vehicle ahead. Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in jackknifing and loss of control. This is especially true on wet or slippery surfaces.
- Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, prevent excessive clutch slippage byu keep engine rpm low and not racing the engine. Always start out in first gear.
- Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns . The trailer could hit your vehicle in a tight turn. Slow down before making a turn to avoid the necessity of sudden braking.
- Backing with a trailer is difficult and requires practive. Have someone guide you when backing to reduce the risk of an accident.
- Remember that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer that the vehicles wheels to the inside of the turn. Therefore, compensate for this by making a larger than normal turning radius with your vehicle.
- Crosswinds and rough roads will adversely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing sway, pay attention to the rear from time to time to prepare yourself for being passed by large trucks or buses, which may cause your vehicle and trailer to sway. If swaying happens, firmly grip the steering wheel and reduce speed immediately but gradually. Never increase speed. If it is necessary to reduce speed, brake slowly. Steer straight ahead. If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, the vehicle and trailer will stabilize.
- Be careful when passing other vehicles. Passing requires considerable distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of your trailer and be sure you have plenty of room before changing lanes.
- In order to maintain engine braking efficiency, do no use fifth gear (manual) or overdrive (automatic).
- Because of the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's engine may overheat on hot days (at termperatures over 30°C (85°F) when going up a long or steep grade with a trailer. If the engine temperature gauge indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioner (if in use), pull off the road and stop in a safe spot. Refer to If Your Vehicle Overheats.
- Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and trailer wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. Put the transmission in "P" (automatic) or in first or reverse (manual).
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