Dodge Charger: TRAILER TOWING / Towing Requirements
To promote proper break-in of your new vehicle drivetrain components, the following
guidelines are recommended.
WARNING!
- Make certain that the load is secured in the trailer and will not
shift during travel. When trailering cargo that is not fully secured, dynamic
load shifts can occur that may be diffi- cult for the driver to control. You
could lose control of your vehicle and have a collision.
- When hauling cargo or towing a trailer, do not overload your vehicle
or trailer. Over- loading can cause a loss of control, poor performance or damage
to brakes, axle, engine, transmission, steering, suspension, chassis structure
or tires.
- Safety chains must always be used between your vehicle and trailer.
Always connect the chains to the hook retainers of the vehicle hitch. Cross
the chains under the trailer tongue and allow enough slack for turning corners.
- Vehicles with trailers should not be parked on a grade. When parking,
apply the parking brake on the tow vehicle. Put the tow vehicle transmission
in PARK. Always, block or "chock" the trailer wheels.
- GCWR must not be exceeded.
- Total weight must be distributed between the tow vehicle and the trailer
such that the following four ratings are not exceeded:
- Max loading as defined on the “Tire and Loading Information” placard.
- GTW
- GAWR
- Tongue weight rating for the trailer hitch utilized.
Perform the maintenance listed in the “Scheduled Servicing” for the proper maintenance
intervals. When towing a trailer, never exceed the GAWR or GCWR ratings.
CAUTION!
- Do not tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles (805 km) the
new vehicle is driven. The engine, axle or other parts could be damaged.
- Then, during the first 500 miles (805 km) that a trailer is towed,
do not drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and do not make starts at full throttle.
This helps the engine and other parts of the vehicle wear in at the heavier
loads.
Never exceed the maximum tongue weight stamped on your fascia/bumper or trailer
hitch.
CAUTION!
Always load a trailer with 60% of the weight in the front of the trailer...
Do not attempt to tow a trailer while using a compact spare tire.
Do not drive more than 50 mph (80 km/h) when towing while using a full size
spare tire...
Other information:
The minimum set speed for the ACC system is 20 mph (32 km/h).
When the system is turned on and in the ready state, the instrument cluster displays
“ACC Ready.”
When the system is off, the instrument cluster display will read “Adaptive Cruise
Control (ACC) Off...
Children who are large enough to wear the shoulder belt comfortably, and whose
legs are long enough to bend over the front of the seat when their back is against
the seatback, should use the seat belt in a rear seat. Use this simple 5-step test
to decide whether the child can use the vehicle’s seat belt alone:
Can the child sit all the way back against the back of the vehicle seat?
Do the child’s knees bend comfortably over the front of the vehicle seat
– while the child is still sitting all the way back?
Does the shoulder belt cross the child’s shoulder between the neck and arm?
Is the lap part of the belt as low as possible, touching the child’s thighs
and not the stomach?
Can the child stay seated like this for the whole trip?
If the answer to any of these questions was “no,” then the child still needs
to use a booster seat in this vehicle...