Get Driving Your Vehicle -> Trailer Towing Guide for Hyundai Tucson SUV 2020

Driving your vehicle

TRAILER TOWING

If you are considering to tow with your

vehicle, you should first check with

your state's Department of Motor

Vehicles to determine legal require-

ments. Since laws vary from state to

state the requirements for towing

trailers, vehicles, or other types of

vehicles or apparatus may differ. Ask

an authorized HYUNDAI dealer for

further details before towing.

If you decide to pull a trailer

Here are some important points if

you decide to pull a trailer:

WARNING

Take the following precautions:

• Consider using a sway control.You

can ask a trailer hitch dealer about

sway control.

• Do not do any towing with your

vehicle during its first 1,200 miles

(2,000 km) in order to allow the

engine to properly break in. Failure

to heed this caution may result in

serious engine or transmission

damage.

• When towing a trailer, be sure to

consult an authorized HYUNDAI

dealer for further information on

additional requirements such as a

towing kit, etc.

• Always drive your vehicle at a mod-

erate speed (less than 60 mph

(100 km/h)) or posted towing

speed limit.

• If you don't use the correct

towing equipment, or if you

drive improperly while towing,

you can lose control of the

vehicle when pulling a trailer.

For example, if the trailer is

too heavy, the braking per-

formance may be reduced.

You and your passengers

could be seriously or fatally

injured. Pull a trailer only if

you have followed all the

steps in this section.

• Before towing, make sure the

total trailer weight, GCW

(Gross Combination Weight),

GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight),

GAW (Gross Axle Weight ) and

trailer tongue load are all with-

in the limits.

Remember that trailering is different

than just driving your vehicle by itself.

Trailering means changes in han-

dling, durability, and fuel economy.

Successful, safe trailering requires

correct equipment, and it has to be

used properly. Damage to your vehi-

cle caused by improper trailer towing

is not covered by your vehicle manu-

facturer’s warranty.

This section contains many time-

tested, important trailering tips and

safety rules. Many of these are

important for your safety and that of

your passengers. Please read this

section carefully before you pull a

trailer.

• On a long uphill grade, do not

exceed 45 mph (70 km/h) or the

posted towing speed limit,

whichever is lower.

• Carefully observe the weight and

load limits provided in the following

pages.

5-130

Total trailer weight

Tongue load

WARNING

Take the following precautions:

• Never load a trailer with more

weight in the rear than in the

front. The front should be

loaded with approximately

60% of the total trailer load;

the rear should be loaded with

approximately 40% of the total

trailer load.

• Never exceed the maximum

weight limits of the trailer or

trailer towing equipment.

Improper loading can result in

damage to your vehicle and/or

personal injury. Check weights

and loading at a commercial

scale or highway patrol office

equipped with scales.

Total Trailer Weight

OLMB053047

Gross Vehicle Weight

OLMB053048

Tongue Load

Gross Axle Weight

5

What is the maximum safe weight of The tongue load is an important

a trailer? It should never weigh more weight to measure because it affects

than the maximum trailer weight with the total Gross Vehicle Weight

trailer brakes. But even that can be (GVW) of your vehicle. The trailer

too heavy. It depends on how you tongue should weigh a maximum of

plan to use your trailer. For example, 10% of the total loaded trailer weight,

speed, altitude, road grades, outside within the limits of the maximum trail-

temperature and how often your vehi- er tongue load permissible.

cle is used to pull a trailer are all

important.The ideal trailer weight can

also depend on any special equip-

ment that you have on your vehicle.

After you've loaded your trailer,

weigh the trailer and then the tongue,

separately, to see if the weights are

proper. If they aren’t, you may be

able to correct them simply by mov-

ing some items around in the trailer.

5-131

Driving your vehicle

Trailer towing equipment

Hitches

It's important to have the correct

hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large

trucks going by, and rough roads are

a few reasons why you’ll need the

right hitch. Here are some rules to

follow:

• Do you have to make any holes in

the body of your vehicle when you

install a trailer hitch? If you do, then

be sure to seal the holes later

when you remove the hitch. If you

don’t seal them, carbon monoxide

(CO) from your exhaust can get

into your vehicle, as well as dirt

and water.

Reference weight when towing a trailer

lbs (kg)

2.0 GDI

2WD AWD

2.4 GDI

2WD AWD

Item

A/T

Without brake

system

1,650 (748)

2,000 (907)

Maximum trailer

weight

With brake

system

2,000 (907)

220 (100)

Maximum permissible static

vertical load on the coupling

device

220 (100)

• The bumpers on your vehicle are

not intended for hitches. Do not

attach rental hitches or other

bumper-type hitches to them. Use

only a frame-mounted hitch that

does not attach to the bumper.

• A HYUNDAI trailer hitch accessory

is available at an authorized

HYUNDAI dealer.

5-132

Safety chains

Trailer brakes

Driving with a trailer

You should always attach chains If your trailer is equipped with a brak-

between your vehicle and your trail- ing system, make sure it conforms to

er. Cross the safety chains under the federal and/or local regulations and

tongue of the trailer so that the that it is properly installed and oper-

tongue will not drop to the road if it ating correctly.

Towing a trailer requires a certain

amount of experience. Before setting

out for the open road, you must get

to know your trailer. Acquaint your-

self 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

longer and not nearly as responsive

as your vehicle is by itself.

Before you start, check the trailer

hitch and platform, safety chains,

electrical connector(s), lights, tires

and brakes.

becomes separated from the hitch.

If your trailer weighs more than the

Instructions about safety chains may

maximum trailer weight without trail-

be provided by the hitch manufactur-

er brakes loaded, then it needs its

er or trailer manufacturer. Follow the

own brakes and they must be ade-

manufacturer’s recommendation for

quate. Be sure to read and follow the

attaching safety chains. Always leave

just enough slack so you can turn

with your trailer. And, never allow

safety chains to drag on the ground.

instructions for the trailer brakes so

you’ll be able to install, adjust and

maintain them properly. Do not tap

into your vehicle's brake system.

Trailer brakes must be applied sepa-

rately from your vehicle's brake sys-

tem.

5

During your trip, occasionally check

to be sure that the load is secure,

and that the lights and trailer brakes

are still working.

WARNING

Do not use a trailer with its own

brakes unless you are absolute-

ly certain that you have properly

set up the brake system. Use an

experienced, competent trailer

shop for this work.

5-133

Driving your vehicle

Distance

Making turns

WARNING

Stay at least twice as far behind the When you’re turning with a trailer,

vehicle ahead as you would when make wider turns than normal. Do

driving your vehicle without a trailer. this so your trailer won't strike soft

This can help you avoid situations shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or

that require heavy braking and sud- other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden

Do not connect a trailer lighting

system directly to your vehi-

cle's lighting system. Use an

approved trailer wiring harness.

Failure to do so could result in

damage to the vehicle electrical

system and/or personal injury.

Consult an authorized HYUNDAI

dealer for assistance.

den turns.

maneuvers. Signal well in advance.

Passing

Turn signals

You will need more passing distance When you tow a trailer, your vehicle

up ahead when you’re towing a trail- has to have a different turn signal

er. And, because of the increased flasher and extra wiring. The green

vehicle length, you’ll need to go arrows on your instrument panel will

much farther beyond the passed flash whenever you signal a turn or

vehicle before you can return to your lane change. Properly connected,

lane.

the trailer lights will also flash to alert

other drivers you're about to turn,

change lanes, or stop.

Backing up

When towing a trailer, the green

arrows on your instrument panel will

flash for turns even if the bulbs on the

trailer are burned out. Thus, you may

think drivers behind you are seeing

your signals when, in fact, they are

not. It’s important to check occasion-

ally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still

working. You must also check the

lights every time you disconnect and

then reconnect the wires.

Hold the bottom of the steering

wheel with one hand. Then, to move

the trailer to the left, move your hand

to the left. To move the trailer to the

right, move your hand to the right.

Always back up slowly and, if possi-

ble, have someone guide you.

5-134

Driving on hills

Parking on hills

NOTICE

Reduce speed and shift to a lower

gear before you start down a long or

steep downgrade. If you don't shift

down, you might have to use your

brakes so much that they would get

overheated and may not operate effi-

ciently.

On a long uphill grade, shift down

and reduce your speed to around 45

mph (70 km/h) to reduce the possibil-

ity of engine and transmission over-

heating.

If your trailer weighs more than the

maximum trailer weight without trailer

brakes, you should drive in D (Drive)

when towing a trailer. Operating your

vehicle in D (Drive) when towing a

trailer will minimize heat build-up and

extend the life of your transmission.

Generally, if you have a trailer attached

to your vehicle, you should not park

your vehicle on a hill.

To prevent engine and/or trans-

mission overheating:

• When towing a trailer on steep

grades (in excess of 6%) pay

close attention to the engine

coolant temperature gauge to

ensure the engine does not

overheat. If the needle of the

coolant temperature gauge

moves towards "H" (HOT), pull

over and stop as soon as it is

safe to do so, and allow the

engine to idle until it cools

down.You may proceed once the

engine has cooled sufficiently.

• When towing a trailer, your vehi-

cle speed may be much slower

than the general flow of traffic,

especially when climbing an

uphill grade. Use the right hand

lane when towing a trailer on an

uphill grade. Choose your vehi-

cle speed according to the max-

imum posted speed limit for

vehicles with trailers, the steep-

ness of the grade, and your trail-

er weight.

However, if you ever have to park your

trailer on a hill, here's how to do it:

1. Pull the vehicle into the parking

area.

Turn the steering wheel in the

direction of the curb (right if head-

ed down hill, left if headed up hill).

2. Shift the vehicle to P (Park).

3. Set the parking brake and shut off

the vehicle.

4. Place wheel chocks under the

trailer wheels on the down hill side

of the wheels.

5

5-135

Driving your vehicle

5. Start the vehicle, apply the brakes,

shift to neutral, release the park-

ing brake and slowly release the

brakes until the trailer chocks

absorb the load.

6. Reapply the brakes and parking

brakes.

Driving the vehicle after it has

been parked on a hill

1. With the gear shift lever in P

(Park), apply the brakes and hold

the brake pedal down while per-

forming the following:

Maintenance when trailer tow-

ing

Your vehicle will need service more

often when you regularly pull a trail-

er. Important items to pay particular

attention to include engine oil, auto-

matic transmission fluid, axle lubri-

cant and cooling system fluid. Brake

condition is another important item to

frequently check. If you’re trailering,

it’s a good idea to review these items

before you start your trip. Don't forget

to also maintain your trailer and

hitch. Follow the maintenance sched-

ule that accompanied your trailer and

check it periodically. Preferably,

inspect the vehicle and trailer at the

start of each day's driving. Inspect

the hitch mounting to make sure the

hitch is properly secured to the vehi-

cle. Inspect the trailer electrical

wiring to make sure brake lights, turn

signal lights, running lights, and haz-

ard lights are working properly.

• Start your engine;

• Shift into gear; and

• Release the parking brake.

7. Move the shift lever to P (Park).

8. Shut off the vehicle and release

the vehicle brakes but leave the

parking brake set.

2. Slowly remove your foot from the

brake pedal.

3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear

of the chocks.

4. Stop and have someone pick up

and store the chocks.

WARNING

• Do not get out of the vehicle

without the parking brake

firmly set. If you have left the

engine running, the vehicle

can move suddenly. You and

others could be seriously or

fatally injured.

• Do not apply the accelerator

pedal to hold the vehicle on

an uphill.

5-136

NOTICE

To prevent vehicle damage:

• Due to higher load during trailer

usage, overheating might occur

on hot days or during uphill driv-

ing. If the coolant gauge indi-

cates over-heating, switch off

the air conditioner and stop the

vehicle in a safe area to cool

down the engine.

• When towing check the automat-

ic transmission fluid more fre-

quently.

5

5-137

Driving Your Vehicle -> Trailer Towing for Your Hyundai Tucson SUV 2020

Popular Manuals