2010 Toyota Highlander Owners Manual - Page 279

2-5. Driving information CAUTION l Lubricate the hitch ball with a light coat of grease. l Remove the trailer hitch whenever you are not towing a trailer. After removing the hitch, seal any mounting hole in the vehicle body to prevent entry of any substances into the vehicle. n When towing a trailer l If the gross trailer weight exceeds 1000 lb. (453 kg), trailer brakes are required. Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all applicable federal and state/provincial regulations. l Never tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system, as this will lower the vehicle's braking effectiveness. l Never tow a trailer without using a safety chain securely attached to both the trailer and the vehicle. If damage occurs to the coupling unit or hitch ball, there is danger of the trailer wandering into another lane. 2 When driving NOTICE n When installing a trailer hitch l Use only the position recommended by your Toyota dealer. Do not install the trailer hitch on the bumper as this may cause body damage. l Do not use axle-mounted hitches, as they can cause damage to the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires. n Safety chain A safety chain must always be used between the towing vehicle and the trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the chain for turns. The chain should cross under the trailer tongue to prevent the tongue from dropping to the ground in the case that it becomes damaged or separated. For the correct safety chain installation procedure, ask your Toyota dealer. n Do not directly splice trailer lights Directly splicing trailer lights may damage your vehicle's electrical system and cause a malfunction. 251