1995 Oldsmobile Achieva Owner's Manual - Page 179

1995 Oldsmobile Achieva Manual

Page 179 highlights

Safety Chains You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions about safety chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for attaching safety chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to dragon the ground. trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as responsive as your vehicle is by itself. Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform (and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector, lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working. Thislets you check your electrical connection at the same time. During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes are still working. Trailer Brakes Does your trailer have its own brakes'! Be sure toread and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes so you'll be able to install, adjust and maintain them properly. And 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. Following Distance Stay at least twice as farbehind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns. Driving with a Trailer Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the Passing You'll need more passing distance up ahead when you're towing a trailer. And, because you're a good deal longer, you'll need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to your lane. 4-35

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Safety
Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer
so
that the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation
for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so
you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains
to
drag on the ground.
Trailer
Brakes
Does your trailer have its own brakes‘!
Be
sure
to read and follow the instructions
for the trailer
brakes
so
you’ll be able to install,
adjust and maintain
them properly. And 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
with
a
Trailer
Towing
a
trailer requires
a
certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want
to
get
to know
your
rig. Acquaint yourself with
the
feel
of
handling and braking with
the
added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are
driving is
now
a
good deal longer and
not nearly as
responsive
as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check
the
trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then
apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be
sure
the brakes are
working.
This
lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following
Distance
Stay at least twice as
farbehind the vehicle ahead
as
you
would when driving
your vehicle without a trailer. This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when
you’re towing
a
trailer. And, because you’re a good deal
longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the
passed vehicle before you can return to your lane.
4-35