2004 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner's Manual - Page 204

If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer If you do, here are some important points: Three important considerations have to do with weight: • 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 will be driving. A good source for this information can be state or provincial police. • The weight of the trailer. • The weight of the trailer tongue. • The total weight on your vehicle's tires. Weight of the Trailer How heavy can a trailer safely be? It should never weigh more than 1,000 lbs (450 kg). But even that can be too heavy. It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle. You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice, or you can write us at: Chevrolet Motor Division Customer Assistance Center P.O. Box 33170 Detroit, MI 48232-5170 In Canada write to: General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Communication Centre, 163-005 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 8P7 • Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls. • Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 1,000 miles (1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine, axle or other parts could be damaged. • Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you tow a trailer, do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and do not make starts at full throttle. This helps your engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads. • Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer. Do not drive faster than the maximum posted speed for trailers, or no more than 55 mph (90 km/h), to save wear on your vehicle's parts. • Do not tow when the outside air temperature is above 100°F (38°C). • Do not tow more than 1,000 miles (1 600 km) per year. 4-38