1995 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 177

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 tothe road if it becomes separated from thehitch. Instructions about safety chains may be provided by the hitch manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Followthe manufacturer's recommendation for attaching safety chains anddo not attach them to thebumper. Always leave justenough slack so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag on theground. Driving with a Trailer Towing a trailer requires a certain amountof experience. Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get to know yourrig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and braking with the added weight the of trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicleare you driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as responsive as your vehicleis by itself. Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform (and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector, lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. the trailer has If electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller hand to be sure by the brakes are working. This lets you check your electrical connection at the same time. During your trip, check occasionally be sure that the to load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes are still working. Trailer Brakes Does your trailer have its own brakes? Be sureto read andfollow 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 nottry to tap into your vehicle'sbrake system. If you do, bothbrake systems won't work well, or at all. 4-34