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TOWING THE LINE

 

            If your summer plans call for your vehicle to haul a trailer, make sure you do not exceed your automobile’s towing capacity. This begins with checking your vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which is composed of the weight of the loaded vehicle, fuel, cargo, passengers, and the trailer “tongue” weight, and not exceeding it. Beyond that, loading your vehicle and trailer correctly ensures safe running. With this in mind, when loading the trailer, place 60 percent of the cargo weight in the forward position, balance its side-to-side distribution, and keep the cargo low to the floor. Also, inflate the tires in both the tow vehicle and trailer to the precise recommendations of the tire manufacturer for your particular load.

A vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating is an important number to know, whether you're driving a pickup truck towing a trailer, a two-seater roadster or anything in-between.

 

HINT: Before embarking on any trip, particularly one that involves towing a trailer, have your vehicle’s brakes checked.

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