2015 Cadillac Escalade ESV Owner Manual - Page 282

Driving and Operating Total Weight on the Vehicle's Tires Be sure the vehicle's tires are inflated to the inflation pressures found on the Certification label on the center pillar or see Vehicle Load Limits on page 9-13. Make sure not to exceed the GVWR limit for the vehicle, or the RGAWR, with the tow vehicle and trailer fully loaded for the trip including the weight of the trailer tongue. If using a weight-distributing hitch, make sure not to exceed the RGAWR before applying the weight distribution spring bars. vehicle and trailer combination, fully loaded for the trip, getting individual weights for each of these items. 9-77 Weight-Distributing Hitch Adjustment Towing Equipment Hitches The correct hitch equipment helps maintain combination control. Most small-to-medium trailers can be towed with a weight-carrying hitch which simply features a coupler latched to the hitch ball. Larger trailers may require a weight-distributing hitch that uses spring bars to distribute the trailer tongue weight among the two vehicle and trailer axles. See "Weight of the Trailer Tongue" in Trailer Towing on page 9-73 for rating limits with various hitch types. Consider using sway controls with any trailer. Ask a trailering professional about sway controls or refer to the trailer manufacturer's recommendations and instructions. 1. Body to Ground Distance 2. Front of Vehicle When using a weight-distributing hitch, the spring bars should be adjusted so the distance (1) is the same after coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle and adjusting the hitch. Weight of the Trailering Combination It is important that the combination of the tow vehicle and trailer does not exceed any of its weight ratings - GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR, TWR or Tongue Weight. The only way to be sure it is not exceeding any of these ratings is to weigh the tow Safety Chains Always attach chains between the vehicle and the trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue of