Your vehicle is designed primarily as a passenger-and-load-carrying
vehicle. Towing a trailer can have an adverse impact on
handling, performance, braking, durability, and fuel consumption.
For your safety and the safety of others, you must not overload
your vehicle or trailer. You must also ensure that you are
using appropriate towing equipment, that the towing equipment
has been installed correctly and used properly, and that you
employ the requisite driving habits.
Vehicle-trailer stability and braking performance are affected by
trailer stability, brake performance and setting, trailer brakes,
the hitch and hitch systems (if equipped).
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in
accordance with your trailer's characteristics and operating
conditions.
Toyota warranties do not apply to damage or malfunction
caused by towing a trailer for commercial purposes.
Contact your Toyota dealer for further information about additional
requirements such as a towing kit, etc.
Towing related terms
■ GCWR (Gross Combination Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
combination weight. The gross
combination weight is the sum
of the total vehicle weight
(including the occupants, cargo
and any optional equipment
installed on the vehicle) and the
weight of the trailer being towed
(including the cargo in the
trailer).
■ GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
vehicle weight. The gross vehicle
weight is the total weight of
the vehicle. When towing a
trailer, it is the sum of the vehicle
weight (including the occupants,
cargo and any optional
equipment installed on the vehicle)
and the tongue weight.
■ GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
axle weight. The gross axle
weight is the load placed on
each axle (front and rear).
■ TWR (Trailer Weight Rating)
The maximum allowable gross
trailer weight. The gross trailer
weight is the sum of the trailer
weight and the weight of the
cargo in the trailer.
TWR is calculated assuming
base vehicle with one driver,
one front passenger, towing
package (if available), hitch and
hitch systems (if required).
Additional optional equipment, passengers and cargo in the vehicle will
reduce the trailer weight rating so as not to exceed GCWR, GVWR and
GAWR.
If the gross trailer weight exceeds 3000 lb. (1360 kg), it is recommended
to use a trailer with 2 or more axles.
■ Unbraked TWR (Unbraked Trailer Weight Rating)
The trailer weight rating for towing
a trailer without a trailer service
brake system.
■ Tongue Weight
The load placed on the trailer
hitch ball.
■ Kingpin Weight
The load placed on the 5th
wheel mount or the gooseneck
ball.
Weight limits
- The gross trailer weight must never exceed the TWR described in
the table.
- The gross combination weight must never exceed the GCWR
described in the table.
- The gross vehicle weight must
never exceed the GVWR indicated
on the Certification Label.
- The gross axle weight on each
axle must never exceed the
GAWR indicated on the Certification
Label.
- If the gross trailer weight is over the unbraked TWR, trailer service
brakes are required.
- If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway control
device with sufficient capacity is required.
- If the gross trailer weight is over 5000 lb. (2268 kg), a weight
distributing
hitch with sufficient capacity is required.
GCWR, TWR, Unbraked TWR, Fifth wheel and Gooseneck towing
TWR
Confirm that the gross trailer weight, gross combination weight, gross
vehicle weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight are all within the
limits.
■ GCWR*5 and TWR*5
Double Cab models
*5: These models meet the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE
International per SAE J2807.
*1: The model code is indicated on the Certification Label.
*2: Vehicles without towing package
*3: Vehicles with towing package
*4: Vehicles with towing package and large fuel tank
CrewMax models
*1: The model code is indicated on the Certification Label.
*2: Vehicles without towing package
*3: Vehicles with towing package
*4: Vehicles with towing package and large fuel tank
■ Unbraked TWR*5
1000 lb. (453 kg)
*5: These models meet the tow-vehicle trailering requirement of SAE
International per SAE J2807.
Trailer Tongue Weight and Trailer Kingpin Weight
- A recommended tongue weight or kingpin weight varies in accordance
with the types of trailers or towing as described below.
- To ensure the recommended values shown below, the trailer must
be loaded by referring to the following instructions.
1. Conventional Towing
The gross trailer weight should be distributed so that the tongue
weight is 9% to 11%. (Tongue Weight/Gross trailer weight x 100
= 9% to 11%)
- Gross trailer weight
- Tongue Weight
If using a weight distributing hitch when towing, return the front
axle to the same weight as before the trailer connection.
If front axle weight cannot be measured directly, measure the
front fender height above the front axle before connection. Adjust
weight distributing hitch torque until front fender is returned to the
same height as before connection.
Do not reduce front fender height below original measurement.
The gross trailer weight, gross axle weight and tongue weight
can be measured with platform scales found at a highway weighing
station, building supply company, trucking company, junk
yard, etc.
2. Fifth wheel Towing or Gooseneck Towing
The gross trailer weight should be distributed so that the kingpin
weight is 14% to 16%. (Kingpin weight/Gross trailer weight x 100
= 14% to 16%)
- Gross trailer weight
- Kingpin weight
The gross trailer weight and kingpin weight can be measured
with platform scales found at a highway weighing station, building
supply company, trucking company, junk yard, etc.
CrewMax models: Current fifth wheel trailer designs are not compatible
with short bed.
Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities. Toyota recommends
the use of Toyota hitch/bracket for your vehicle. For details,
contact your Toyota dealer.
- If you wish to install a trailer hitch, contact your Toyota dealer.
- Use only a hitch that conforms to the gross trailer weight requirement
of your vehicle.
- Follow the directions supplied by the hitch manufacturer.
- Lubricate the hitch ball and kingpin with a light coating of grease.
- 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.
Bumper towing (vehicles with steel bumper only)
The rear bumper of your vehicle is
equipped with a hole to install a
trailer ball. If you have any questions,
contact your Toyota dealer.
The gross trailer weight (trailer
weight plus cargo weight) when
towing with the bumper must never
exceed the TWR or
5000 lb. (2268 kg) whichever is
lower.
Selecting trailer ball
Use the correct trailer ball for your application.
- Trailer ball load rating
Matches or exceeds the gross
trailer weight rating of the trailer.
- Ball diameter
Matches the size of the trailer coupler.
Most couplers are stamped
with the required trailer ball size.
- Shank length
Protrudes beyond the bottom of the lock washer and nut by at least 2
threads.
- Shank diameter
Matches the ball mount hole diameter size.
Positions for towing hitch receiver
- Hitch receiver pin hole position:
46.4 in. (1179 mm)
Connecting trailer lights
Use the wire harness stored in the rear end of the vehicle.
The tow lighting system is designed for 64 watts/5 amps of electrical
current per side (right and left) for the trailer brake/turn light functions.
Please contact your Toyota dealer with any questions or concerns.
Vehicles without towing package
Vehicles with towing package
■Service connector for towing brake controllers (vehicles without an
installed trailer brake controller) Your vehicle is equipped with a service
connector for supplemental trailer brake
controllers.
Please consult your dealer on how to
access the service connector.
Trailer towing tips
Your vehicle will handle differently when towing a trailer. To help avoid
an accident, death or serious injury, keep the following in mind when
towing:
- Speed limits for towing a trailer vary by state or province. Do not
exceed the posted towing speed limit.
- Toyota recommends that the vehicle-trailer speed limit is 65 mph
(104 km/h) on a flat, straight, dry road. Do not exceed this limit, the
posted towing speed limit or the speed limit for your trailer as set
forth in your trailer owner's manual, whichever is lowest. Instability
of the towing vehicle-trailer combination (trailer sway) increases as
speed increases. Exceeding speed limits may cause loss of control.
- Before starting out, check the trailer lights, tires and the
vehicle-trailer
connections. Recheck after driving a short distance.
- Practice turning, stopping and reversing with the trailer attached in
an area away from traffic until you become accustomed to the feel
of the vehicle-trailer combination.
- Reversing with a trailer attached is difficult and requires practice.
Grip the bottom of the steering wheel and move your hand to the
left to move the trailer to the left. Move your hand to the right to
move the trailer to the right. (This is generally opposite to reversing
without a trailer attached.) Avoid sharp or prolonged turning. Have
someone guide you when reversing to reduce the risk of an accident.
- As stopping distance is increased when towing a trailer,
vehicle-to-vehicle
distance should be increased. For each 10 mph (16 km/h)
of speed, allow at least one vehicle and trailer length.
- Avoid sudden braking as you may skid, resulting in the trailer
jack-knifing
and a loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or
slippery surfaces.
- Avoid jerky starts or sudden acceleration.
- Avoid jerky steering and sharp turns, and slow down before making
a turn.
- Note that when making a turn, the trailer wheels will be closer than
the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. Compensate by making
a wider than normal turning radius.
- Slow down before making a turn, in crosswinds, on wet or slippery
surfaces, etc.
Increasing vehicle speed can destabilize the trailer.
- Take care when passing other vehicles. Passing requires considerable
distance. After passing a vehicle, do not forget the length of
your trailer, and be sure you have plenty of room before changing
lanes.
- To maintain engine braking efficiency and charging system performance
when using engine braking, do not use the transmission in
D.
Transmission shift range position must be in 4 in the S mode.
- Instability happens more frequently when descending steep or long
downhill grades. Before descending, slow down and downshift. Do
not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long downhill
grades.
- Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the brakes
too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and result in
reduced braking efficiency.
- Due to the added load of the trailer, your vehicle's engine may overheat
on hot days (at temperatures over 85ºF [30ºC]) when driving
up a long or steep grade. If the engine coolant temperature gauge
indicates overheating, immediately turn off the air conditioning (if in
use), pull your vehicle off the road and stop in a safe spot.
- Always place wheel blocks under both the vehicle's and the trailer's
wheels when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly, and put the
transmission in P. Avoid parking on a slope, but if unavoidable, do
so only after performing the following:
- Apply the brakes and keep them applied.
- Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle's and
trailer's wheels.
- When the wheel blocks are in place, release the brakes slowly
until the blocks absorb the load.
- Apply the parking brake firmly.
- Shift into P and turn off the engine.
- When restarting after parking on a slope:
- With the transmission in P, start the engine. Be sure to keep the
brake pedal pressed.
- Shift into D or R (if reversing).
- Release the parking brake and brake pedal, and slowly pull or
back away from the wheel blocks. Stop and apply the brakes.
- Have someone retrieve the blocks.
■Matching trailer ball height to trailer coupler height No matter
which class of tow hitch
applies, for a more safe trailer hookup,
the trailer ball setup must be the proper
height for the coupler on the trailer.
- Coupler
- Trailer ball
■Before towing
Check that the following conditions are met:
- Ensure that your vehicle's tires are properly inflated.
- Trailer tires are inflated according to the trailer manufacturer's
recommendation.
- All trailer lights work as required by law.
- All lights work each time you connect them.
- The trailer ball is set at the proper height for the coupler on the
trailer.
- The trailer is level when it is hitched.
Do not drive if the trailer is not level, and check for improper tongue
weight,
overloading, worn suspension, or other possible causes.
- The trailer cargo is securely loaded.
- The rear view mirrors conform to all applicable federal,
state/provincial or
local regulations. If they do not, install rear view mirrors appropriate for
towing
purposes.
- Depress TOW/HAUL button (if equipped).
- The manual headlight leveling dial is correctly adjusted.
■Break-in schedule
If your vehicle is new or equipped with any new power train components
(such as an engine, transmission, differential or wheel bearing), Toyota
recommends
that you do not tow a trailer until the vehicle has been driven for
over 500 miles (800 km).
After the vehicle has been driven for over 500 miles (800 km), you can start
towing. However, for the next 500 miles (800 km), drive the vehicle at a speed
of less than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing a trailer, and avoid full throttle
acceleration.
■Maintenance
- If you tow a trailer, your vehicle will require more frequent
maintenance due
to the additional load. (See "Owner's Warranty Information Booklet" or
"Scheduled Maintenance Guide"/"Owner's Manual Supplement".)
- Retighten the fixing bolts of the towing ball and bracket after
approximately
600 miles (1000 km) of trailer towing.
■If trailer sway occurs
One or more factors (crosswinds, passing vehicles, rough roads, etc.) can
adversely affect handling of your vehicle and trailer, causing instability.
- If trailer swaying occurs:
If you make no extreme correction with the steering or brakes, your vehicle
and trailer should stabilize. (if enabled, Trailer Sway Control can also help to
stabilize the vehicle and trailer.)
- After the trailer swaying has stopped:
- Stop in a safe place. Get all occupants out of the vehicle.
- Check the tires of the vehicle and the trailer.
- Check the load in the trailer.
Make sure the load has not shifted.
Make sure the tongue weight is appropriate, if possible.
- Check the load in the vehicle.
Make sure the vehicle is not overloaded after occupants get in.
If you cannot find any problems, the speed at which trailer swaying occurred
is beyond the limit of your particular vehicle-trailer combination.
Drive at a lower speed to prevent instability. Remember that swaying of the
towing vehicle-trailer increases as speed increases.
| WARNING ■Trailer towing precautions
To tow a trailer safely, use extreme care and drive the vehicle in
accordance
with the trailer's characteristics and operating conditions. Failure to
do so
could cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury. Vehicle
stability
and braking performance are affected by trailer stability, brake setting
and
performance, and the hitch. Your vehicle will handle differently when
towing
a trailer.
■To avoid accident or injury
- Do not exceed the TWR, unbraked TWR, GCWR, GVWR or GAWR.
- If the gross trailer weight is over 2000 lb. (907 kg), a sway
control device
with sufficient capacity is required.
- If the gross trailer weight is over 5000 lb. (2268 kg), a weight
distributing
hitch with sufficient capacity is required.
- Adjust the tongue weight within the appropriate range. Place
heavier loads
as close to the trailer axle as possible.
- Do not exceed 65 mph (104 km/h), the posted towing speed limit
or the
speed limit for your trailer as set forth in your trailer owner's
manual,
whichever is lowest. Slow down sufficiently before making a turn, in
crosswinds,
on wet or slippery surface, etc., to help avoid an accident. If you
experience a vehicle-trailer instability from reducing a certain
speed, slow
down and make sure you keep your vehicle speed under the speed of
which you experience the instability.
- Do not make jerky, abrupt or sharp turns.
- Do not apply the brakes suddenly as you may skid, resulting in
jackknifing
and loss of vehicle control. This is especially true on wet or
slippery surfaces.
- Do not exceed the trailer hitch assembly weight, gross vehicle
weight,
gross axle weight and trailer tongue weight capacities.
- Do not use cruise control when towing.
- Slow down and downshift before descending steep or long downhill
grades. Do not make sudden downshifts while descending steep or long
downhill grades.
- Vehicle-trailer instability is more likely on steep long
downhills. Before
descending steep or long downhill grades, slow down and downshift.
Do
not make sudden downshifts when descending steep or long downhill
grades. Avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or applying the
brakes too frequently. This could cause the brakes to overheat and
result
in reduced braking efficiency.
- Do not tow a trailer when the temporary spare tire is installed
on your vehicle.
|
| WARNING ■Hitch
Trailer hitch assemblies have different weight capacities established by
the
hitch manufacturer. Even though the vehicle may be physically capable of
towing a higher weight, the operator must determine the maximum weight
rating of the particular hitch assembly and never exceed the maximum
weight rating specified for the trailer-hitch. Exceeding the maximum
weight
rating set by the trailer-hitch manufacturer can cause an accident
resulting
in death or serious personal injuries.
■When towing a trailer
Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to any applicable
federal
and state/provincial regulations.
- If the gross trailer weight exceeds unbraked TWR, trailer brakes
are
required. Toyota recommends trailers with brakes that conform to all
applicable
federal and state/provincial regulations.
- Never tap into your vehicle's hydraulic system, as this will
lower the vehicle's
braking effectiveness.
- 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.
|
| NOTICE ■When installing a trailer hitch
Use only the position recommended by your Toyota dealer. Do not install
the trailer hitch on the bumper; this may cause body damage.
■Do not directly splice trailer lights
Do not directly splice trailer lights. Directly splicing trailer lights
may damage
your vehicle's electrical system and cause a malfunction.
■When towing a fifth wheel trailer
Be careful not to hit the cabin or bed with
the trailer while making a sharp turn.
 |
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed (with 4 wheels
on the ground) behind a motor home.
| NOTICE ■To avoid serious damage to your vehicle
Do not tow your vehicle with the four wheels on the ground. |
|
