1998 Pontiac Firebird Owner's Manual - Page 202

If You Do DecideTo Pull A Trailer If you do, here are some important points: 0 0 There are many different laws, including speed limit restrictions, having to do with trailering. Make sure your rig will legal, not only where live but be you also where you'llbe driving. A good sourcefor this information can be state or provincial police. Consider using a sway control. can ask a hitch You dealer about sway controls. Don't tow a trailer at all during the 1,000 miles first (1 600 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine, axle or other parts could damaged. be Then, during thefirst 500 miles (800 km) that you tow a trailer, don't drive over mph (80km/h) and 50 don't makestarts at full throttle. This helps your engine and other parts your vehicle wear at the of in heavier loads. Obey speed limit restrictions when towing a trailer. Don't drive faster thanthe maximum posted speed for trailers (or no more than 55 mph (90 km/h)) to save wearon your vehicle's parts. the weight of the trailer, the weight of the trailer tongue and the total weight on your vehicle's tires. Three important considerations have to with weight: do 0 0 0 Weight of the Trailer How heavycan a trailer safely be? It should never weigh more than 1,500 lbs. (680 kg) under normal driving conditions. should never weigh It more than 1,000 lbs. (450 kg) when driven on long grades at high ambient temperatures (Above 90" F (32" C). But even that can be too heavy. It depends on how you plan to use your For rig. example, speed, altitude,road grades, outside temperature and how much your vehicle used to is it pull a trailer are all important. And, can also depend on any special equipment that you on your vehicle. have 0 4-33