1993 Oldsmobile 88 Owner's Manual - Page 189

Your Driving and the Road Trailer Brakes If your trailer weighs more than 1,OOO pounds (450 kg) loaded, thenit needs its own brakes-and they must be adequate. Be sure read and follow the to so instructions for the trailer brakes you'll be ableto install, adjust and maintain them properly. Because you have anti-lock brakes,do not try to tap into your vehicle's brake system. If you do, both brake systems won't work well,or at all. Driving witha Trailer 188 Towing a trailer requires a certain Following Distance amount of experience. Befbre setting out Stay at least twice as behind the far for the open road, you'll want to get to vehicle ahead as you would when know your rig. Acquaint yourself with driving your vehicle without a trailer. the feelof handling and braking with the This can help avoid situations that you added weight of the trailer. And always require heavy braking and sudden turns. keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal longer and Passing not nearly so responsive as your vehicle You'll need more passing distance up ahead when you're towing a trailer. is by itself. Before you start, check the trailer hitch And, because you're a good deal longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond and platform, safety chains, electrical the passed vehicle before you can return connector, lights, tires and mirror to your lane. adjustment. If the trailer has electric Backing Up brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake Hold the bottom of the steering wheel controller by hand to be sure the brakes with one hand. Then, move the trailer to are working. This lets you check your to the left,just move that hand to the electrical connection at the same time. left. To move the trailer to the right, During your trip, check occasionally to move your hand to theright. Always be sure that the load is secure, and that back up slowly and, possible, have if the lights and any trailer brakes are still someone guide you. working.