2018-Continental-Owners-Manual

Towing

The load capacity of your vehicle is designated by weight not volume. You may not necessarily be able to use all available space when loading your vehicle or trailer. Towing a trailer places extra load on the engine, transmission, axle, brakes, tires, and suspension. Inspect these components before, during and after towing. Load Placement To help minimize how trailer movement affects the vehicle when driving: • Load the heaviest items closest to the trailer floor. • Load the heaviest items in the center of the left and right side trailer tires.

• Load the heaviest items above the trailer axles or just slightly forward toward the trailer tongue. Do not allow the final trailer tongue weight to go above or below 10-15% of the loaded trailer weight. • Select a ball mount with the correct rise or drop. When both the loaded vehicle and trailer are connected, the trailer frame should be level, or slightly angled down toward the vehicle, when viewed from the side. When driving with a trailer or payload, a slight takeoff vibration or shudder may be present due to the increased payload weight. Additional information regarding proper trailer loading and setting your vehicle up for towing is located in the Load Carrying chapter. See Load Limit (page 265). You can also find information in the RV & Trailer Towing Guide available at your authorized dealer, or online.

TOWING A TRAILER

WARNINGS Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR specified on the certification Towing trailers beyond the maximum recommended gross trailer weight exceeds the limit of your vehicle and could result in engine damage, transmission damage, structural damage, loss of vehicle control, vehicle rollover and personal injury. Note: There may be electrical items such as fuses or relays that can affect trailer towing operation. See Fuses (page 293). label.

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Continental (CPL) Canada/United States of America, enUSA, Edition date: 201706, First Printing