weight DODGE JOURNEY 2012 1.G Owner's Manual

Trailer And Tongue Weight
Always load a trailer with 60% to 65% of the weight in
the front of the trailer. This places 10% to 15% of the
Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) on the tow hitch of your
vehicle. Loads balanced over the wheels or heavier in the
rear can cause the trailer to swayseverelyside to side
which will cause loss of control of the vehicle and trailer.
Failure to load trailers heavier in front is the cause of
many trailer collisions.
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on
your bumper or trailer hitch.
Consider the following items when computing the
weight on the rear axle of the vehicle:
•The tongue weight of the trailer.
•The weight of any other type of cargo or equipment
put in or on your vehicle.
•The weight of the driver and all passengers.
458 STARTING AND OPERATING

NOTE:Remember that everything put into or on the
trailer adds to the load on your vehicle. Also, additional
factory-installed options or authorized dealer-installed
options must be considered as part of the total load on
your vehicle. Refer to the “Tire and Loading Information”
placard for the maximum combined weight of occupants
and cargo for your vehicle.
Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drive-
train components the following guidelines are recom-
mended:
CAUTION!
•Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles
(805 km) the new vehicle is driven. The engine,
axle or other parts could be damaged.
(Continued)
CAUTION! (Continued)
•Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that a
trailer is towed, do not drive over 50 mph
(80 km/h) and do not make starts at full throttle.
This helps the engine and other parts of the
vehicle wear in at the heavier loads.
Perform the maintenance listed in the “Maintenance
Schedule.” Refer to “Maintenance Schedule” for further
information. When towing a trailer, never exceed the
GAWR, or GCWR, ratings.
WARNING!
Improper towing can lead to a collision. Follow these
guidelines to make your trailer towing as safe as
possible: (Continued)
5
STARTING AND OPERATING 459

WARNING! (Continued)
•Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer
and that it will not shift during travel. When
trailering cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic
load shifts can occur that may be difficult for the
driver to control. You could lose control of your
vehicle and have a collision.
•When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Overloading can
cause a loss of control, poor performance, or dam-
age to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering,
suspension, chassis structure, or tires.
•Safety chains must always be used between your
vehicle and trailer. Always connect the chains to
the frame or hook retainers of the vehicle hitch.
Cross the chains under the trailer tongue and
allow enough slack for turning corners.(Continued)
WARNING! (Continued)
•Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a
grade. When parking, apply the parking brake on
the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle automatic
transmission in PARK. Always, block or chock
the trailer wheels.
•GCWR must not be exceeded.
•Total weight must be distributed between the tow
vehicle and the trailer such that the following four
ratings are not exceeded:
1. GVWR
2. GTW
3. GAWR
4. Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch uti-
lized. (This requirement may limit the ability to
always achieve the 10% to 15% range of tongue
weight as a percentage of total trailer weight.)
460 STARTING AND OPERATING

Gear Select Lever Override................. 488
General Information .........17,25,127,161,390,438
General Maintenance ..................... 502
Glass Cleaning .......................... 534
Gross Axle Weight Rating ...............450,452
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating .............450,451
GVWR ............................... 450
Hazard Driving Through Flowing, Rising, or Shallow
Standing Water ...................... 393
Hazard Warning Flasher ................... 469
Head Restraints ......................... 185
Headlights Automatic ......................... 202
Bulb Replacement .................... 542
Cleaning ........................... 533
Delay ............................. 203 High Beam
......................... 542
High Beam/Low Beam Select Switch ...... 206
Lights On Reminder .................. 204
On With Wipers ................... 203,212
Passing ............................ 206
Switch ............................ 202
Time Delay ......................... 203
Heated Mirrors ......................... 104
Heated Seats ........................... 179
Heater, Engine Block ..................... 372
High Beam/Low Beam Select (Dimmer) Switch . . 206
Hitches Trailer Towing ....................... 456
Holder, Coin ........................... 251
Holder, Cup ........................... 249
HomeLink® (Garage Door Opener) Transmitter . . 230
Hood Release .......................... 200
586 INDEX

Sizes............................. 410
Snow Tires ......................... 429
Spare Tire .......................... 472
Spinning ........................... 424
Trailer Towing ....................... 461
Tread Wear Indicators ................. 425
To Open Hood .......................... 200
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight .............. 458
Towing ............................... 451
Behind a Motorhome .................. 465
Disabled Vehicle ..................... 490
Guide ............................. 457
Recreational ........................ 465
Weight ............................ 457
Towing Vehicle Behind a Motorhome .......... 465
Traction .............................. 392
Traction Control ......................... 403
Trailer Sway Control (TSC) ................. 407 Trailer Towing
.......................... 451
Cooling System Tips .................. 465
Hitches ............................ 456
Minimum Requirements ................ 459
Tips .............................. 464
Trailer and Tongue Weight .............. 458
Wiring ............................ 462
Trailer Towing Guide ..................... 457
Trailer Weight .......................... 457
Transaxle Autostick .......................... 390
Selection of Lubricant ................. 550
Transmission Automatic ....................... 372,525
Filter ............................. 528
Fluid .......................... 526,528
Transmitter Battery Service
(Remote Keyless Entry) .................... 24
10
INDEX 597