towing capacity CADILLAC FLEETWOOD 1996 2.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Your vehicle can tow a trailer if it is equipped with
proper towing equipment. To identify what the vehicle
trailering capacity is for your vehicle, you should read
the information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears
later in this section. But trailering is different than just
driving your vehicle by itself. Trailering means changes
in handling, durability, and fuel economy. Successful,
safe trailering takes correct equipment, and it has to be
used properly.
That’s the reason for this part. In it
are many
time-tested, important trailering tips and safety rules.
Many of these are important for your safety and that of
your passengers.
So please read this section carefully
before you pull a trailer.
Your Cadillac is a passenger vehicle. Trailer towing can
change the way your vehicle performs on the road. The
loads and forces created when trailering subject the
vehicle to significant levels of stress.
Load-pulling components such as the engine, transmission, rear axle, wheel assemblies and tires are
forced to work harder against the drag
of the added
weight. The engine is required to operate at relatively
higher speeds and under greater loads, generating extra
heat. What’s more, the trailer adds considerably to wind
resistance, increasing the pulling requirements.
If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer
If you do, here are some important points:
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There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure
your rig will be legal, not only where you live but
also where you’ll be driving.
A good source for this
information can be state
or provincial police.
You should always use a weight distributing
(equalizing) hitch if your trailer will weigh more
than 3,000 lbs. (1 362 kg). Consider using sway
control if your loaded trailer will weigh 3,000 lbs.
(1 362 kg) or more. You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.
Consider using a sway control if your trailer will
weigh 2,000 lbs.
(900 kg) or less. You should always
use a sway control if your trailer will weigh more
than
2,000 lbs. (900 kg). You can ask a hitch dealer
about sway controls.
Trailers that weigh more than
1,000 lbs. (454 kg)
should be equipped with trailer brakes.
Surge brakes may be used on some trailers (e.g., boat
trailers). However, surge brakes do not work well with most sway control devices.
Do not use sway
control devices on trailers equipped with surge brakes.
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Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total capacity
weight of your vehicle.
The capacity weight includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in
it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And
if you will tow a trailer, you must subtract the tongue
load from your vehicle’s capacity weight because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in the Index for more information about
your vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
B A
If you’re using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue
(A) should weigh 10% of the total loaded trailer
weight
(B). If you have a “weight-distributing” hitch,
the trailer tongue
(A) should weigh 12% of the total
loaded trailer weight
(B).
After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights
are
proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the
recommended pressure for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the Certification label at the
rear edge of the
driver’s door or
see “Loading Your Vehicle” in the Index.
Then be sure you don’t go over
the GVW limit for your
vehicle, including the weight
of the trailer tongue.
The Gross Combined Vehicle Weight (GCVW)
= curb
weight
+ passengers’ weight + cargo + trailer weight.
It should never exceed 7,450 lbs.
(3 1 SO kg) for the
standard vehicle
or 12,100 lbs. (5 490 kg) for the
7,000 lb. towing package.
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