2003 Chevrolet S10 Pickup Owner's Manual - Page 261

2003 Chevrolet S10 Pickup Manual

Page 261 highlights

Driving with a Trailer Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as responsive as your vehicle is by itself. Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform (and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector, lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your electrical connection at the same time. During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes are still working. Passing You'll need more passing distance up ahead when you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good deal longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to your lane. Backing Up Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible. have someone guide you. Making Turns Notice: Making very sharp turns while trailering could cause the trailer to come in contact with the vehicle. Your vehicle could be damaged. Avoid making very sharp turns while trailering. When you're turning with a trailer, make wider turns than normal. Do this so your trailer won't strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance. Following Distance Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns. 4-60

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Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out
for the open road, you’ll
want to get
to know
your
rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer.
And always
keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is now
a
good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you
start,
check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment.
If
the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving
and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure the brakes are working. This lets you
check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip,
check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and
any trailer
brakes are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would
when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This can help you avoid situations that require
heavy braking and
sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need
more passing distance
up
ahead
when
you’re towing
a
trailer. And,
because you’re a
good
deal
longer, you’ll
need to
go
much farther beyond
the
passed vehicle before you
can return to your
lane.
Backing
Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel
with
one
hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the
left, just move
that
hand
to the left.
To
move
the trailer to the right, move
your
hand to
the right. Always
back
up slowly and,
if
possible.
have
someone guide you.
Making
Turns
Notice:
Making very
sharp
turns
while
trailering
could cause the trailer
to
come
in
contact
with
the
vehicle.
Your
vehicle
could be damaged.
Avoid
making very sharp turns
while
trailering.
When
you’re turning with
a trailer, make
wider
turns
than normal.
Do
this
so
your trailer won’t strike
soft
shoulders, curbs, road
signs, trees
or
other objects.
Avoid jerky or
sudden
maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
4-60