Trailer - Towing Information
Number 85-0-1 Date 10/84Subject: TRAILER TOWING INFORMATION -
1983 TO 1985
Trailer Towing
We receive many questions on trailer towing capacity for Pontiac vehicles. Attached are details for 1983, 1984 and 1985. This information is also contained in the Pontiac Merchandising Manual.
Bumper Mounted Hitches
The use of light weight bumper materials on some car lines means that bumper mounted hitches can no longer be used on those car lines.
Inability to use a bumper hitch does not mean a trailer cannot be towed. It does mean that at least a light weight frame/body hitch is required. In addition, the ability to use a bumper hitch does not mean that the car can tow a trailer. Consult the attached sheets for the car's towing ability. SEE PAGES 2-7
TRAILER TOWING TABLE:
In the following table, "yes" indicates that you can use a bumper mounted hitch. In no case should a bumper mounted hitch be used to tow more than 2,000 pounds, or more than 200 pounds torque weight.
WHAT YOUR TRAILER TOWING CUSTOMERS
SHOULD KNOW WHEN ORDERING THEIR NEW 1983 PONTIACS
All 1983 Pontiacs are capable of towing up to 1,000 lbs. But since trailering enthusiasts often wish to pull heavier loads, Pontiac offers a list of available equipment to help them meet their varied trailering needs. Use the chart on the back side of this page to help your customers decide what equipment is best for them. They'll get just what they're after. And you'll get more satisfied customers. Plus, by using the information below on Trailering Considerations and Trailering Cautions, you can help answer many common questions your customers might have.
TRAILERING CONSIDERATIONS
NEW CAR BREAK-IN. Advise your customers to read the new car break-in instructions in their Owner's Manual. Also, we recommend a new Pontiac be driven for 500 miles (800 kilometers) before trailer towing. During this initial break-in period, and for the first 500 miles (800 kilometers) of actual trailer towing, Pontiac owners should avoid full-throttle starts and speeds over 50 mph (80 km/h). If a new engine, transmission, or axle is installed in the car, the same care should be observed. MAINTENANCE. Don't forget to tell your customers that more frequent service is required when using a car to pull a trailer For example, all trailer hitch bolts and nuts should be checked occasionally for tightness. For other information regarding special maintenance requirements for trailers, direct your customers to their Owner's Manual and Maintenance Schedule folder. ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. Advise your customers to follow these instructions: The coolant level should be checked when their car engine is cool, before starting on a trip. A temporary cooling system overload may be encountered on hot days. When pulling on a long grade, when slowing down after higher speeds, or after long idle periods in heavy traffic. If overheating persists, their car should not be driven. And it should be checked by an authorized mechanic. HIGH ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE. An engine loses approximately 4% of its sea level performance for every 1,000 feet of altitude. An engine operating at 10,000 feet above sea level will
lose approximately 40% of its performance. For pulling trailers at high altitudes, engines with higher sea level horsepower are recommended, as are higher axle ratios. TIRES. The tires furnished on 1983 Pontiacs are qualified for trailer towing. When towing trailers using a dead-weight hitch, tires should be inflated to the "Cold Tire Pressure" for 'Maximum Load" shown on the tire placard attached on the left front door. For trailers using weight-distributing hitches, increase front tire pressure 2 psi above the "Cold Tire Pressure" for 'Maximum Load" shown on the tire placard. This increase should never exceed maximum pressure shown on side of tire.
NOTE: The allowable passenger and cargo load for cars also shown on the same placard is reduced by the tongue weight whenever the trailer is attached to the car. BEFORE STARTING A TRIP. Tell customers to check lights, tires and mirror adjustment. And to check car and trailer brakes before turning into traffic. DOWNGRADE AND LONG UPHILL GRADES. Speed should be reduced and lower transmission gear used to assist braking on long or steep downgrades. Transmission should be downshifted to a lower gear and speed reduced to 45 mph (70 km/h) or below on long uphill grades to reduce possibility of engine overheating. For normal towing with 4-speed automatic transmission, we recommend that you select 3rd gear instead of overdrive.
TRAILERING CAUTIONS BRAKES. To help avoid personal injury due to poor braking action, your customers should know that: 1. Trailer brakes of adequate size are required on trailers over 1,000 pounds loaded weight. 2. If trailer brakes are used with the car, follow the installation and balance instructions of the trailer brake maker 3. They should not tap into the car's brake system if the trailer brake system uses more than 0.02 cubic inch of fluid from the car's master cylinder In this case, the car's brake fluid capacity will not be enough to operate both the car and trailer brakes under all kinds of use. 4. All brake fluid parts must be able to stand 3,000 psi. The brake fluid tap must be made to the master cylinder port supplying fluid to the rear brakes. Copper tubing is subject to fatigue failure and
must not be used. 5. Before going down a steep or long grade, they should reduce speed and shift the transmission into a lower gear to control the car's speed. They should also avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too often. This could cause the brakes to get hot and not work as well.
HITCHES. To help avoid personal injury due to sway caused by such things as crosswinds, big trucks passing, road roughness or the separation of the trailer, inform your customers that:
1. A properly installed and adjusted framemounted weight-distributing hitch and sway control with enough capacity are required for trailers over 2,000 pounds loaded weight. 2. If their car has spring air bags or air shocks, they should keep them at minimum pressure of 10 to 15 psi when installing, adjusting or when towing with a weight-distributing hitch. 3. They should keep the trailer tongue load at 10% of
the loaded trailer weight for dead-weight hitches and 12% for weight-distributing hitches. Tongue loads can be adjusted by proper distribution of the load in the trailer. This can be checked by weighing separately the loaded trailer and then the tongue. 4. They should not use axle-mounted hitches. They can damage the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires.
5. When they remove a trailer hitch, mounting holes in the body should be sealed. This will prevent entry of exhaust fumes, dirt or water.
NOTICE: Be sure to tell your customers to use only trailer hitches which permit normal operation of the Energy Absorbing Bumper system. For example, a rigid fore and aft connection between the bumper and any other part of the car may increase damage in the event of a collision. Also, caution your customers to consult their Owner's Manual for additional trailer hitch restrictions, where applicable.
1983 PONTIAC TRAILER TOWING RECOMMENDATIONS
WHAT YOUR TRAILER-TOWING CUSTOMERS SHOULD KNOW
WHEN ORDERING THEIR NEW 1984 PONTIACS
Most 1984 Pontiacs are capable of towing up to 1,000 lbs. But since trailering enthusiasts often wish to pull heavier loads, Pontiac offers a list of available equipment to help them meet their varied trailering needs. Use the chart on the back side of this page to help your customers decide what equipment is best for them. They'll get just what they're after. And you'll get more satisfied customers. Plus, by using the information below on Trailering Considerations and Trailering Cautions, you can help answer many common questions your customers might have.
TRAILERING
CONSIDERATIONS NEW CAR BREAK-IN. Advise your customers to read the new car break-in instructions in their Owner's Manual. Also, we recommend a new Pontiac be driven for 500 miles (800 kilometers) before trailer towing. During this initial break-in period, and for the first 500 miles (800 kilometers) of actual trailer towing, Pontiac owners should avoid fullthrottle starts and speeds over 50 mph (80 km/h). If a new engine, transmission, or axle is installed in the car, the same care should be observed. MAINTENANCE. Don't forget to tell your customers that more frequent service is required when using a car to pull a trailer. For example, all trailer hitch bolts and nuts should be checked occasionally for tightness. For other information regarding special maintenance requirements for trailers, direct your customers to their Owner's Manual and Maintenance Schedule folder.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. Advise your customers to follow these instructions: The coolant level should be checked when their car engine is cool, before starting on a trip. A temporary cooling system overload may be encountered on hot days when pulling on a long grade, when slowing down after higher speeds, or after long idle periods in heavy traffic. If overheating persists, their car should not be driven, and it should be checked by an authorized mechanic. HIGH ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE. An engine loses approximately 4% of its sea level performance for every 1,000 feet of altitude. An engine operating at 10,000 feet above sea level will lose approximately 40% of its performance. For pulling trailers at high altitudes, engines with higher sea level horsepower are recommended, as are higher axle ratios. TIRES. The tires furnished on 1984 Pontiacs are qualified for trailer towing. When towing trailers using a dead-weight hitch, tires should be inflated to the "Cold Tire Pressure" for "Maximum Load" shown on the tire placard attached on the left front door. For trailers using weight-distributing hitches, increase front tire pressure 2 psi above the "Cold Tire Pressure" for "Maximum Load" shown on the tire placard. This increase should never exceed maximum pressure shown on side of tire.
NOTE: The allowable passenger and cargo load for cars also shown on the same placard is reduced by the tongue weight whenever the trailer is attached to the car. BEFORE STARTING A TRIP. Tell customers to check lights, tires and mirror adjustment, and to check car and trailer brakes before
turning into traffic. DOWNGRADES AND LONG UPHILL GRADES. Speed should be reduced and lower transmission gear used to assist braking on long or steep downgrades. Transmission should be downshifted to a lower gear and speed reduced to 45 mph (70 km/h) or below on long uphill grades to reduce possibility of engine overheating. For normal towing with 4-speed automatic transmission, we recommend that you select 3rd gear instead of overdrive. TRAILERING CAUTIONS BRAKES. To help avoid personal injury due to poor braking action, your customers should know that: 1. Trailer brakes of adequate size are required on trailers over 1,000 pounds loaded weight. 2. If trailer brakes are used with the car, follow the installation and balance instructions of the trailer brake maker. 3. They should not tap into the car's brake system if the trailer brake system uses more than 0.02 cubic inch of fluid from the car's master cylinder. In this case, the car's brake fluid capacity will not be enough to operate both the car and trailer brakes under all kinds of use.
4. All brake fluid parts must be able to stand 3,000 psi. The brake fluid tap must be made to the master cylinder port supplying fluid to the rear brakes. Copper tubing is subject to fatigue failure and must not be used. 5. Before going down a steep or long grade, they should reduce speed and shift the transmission into a lower gear to control the car's speed. They should also avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too often. This could cause the brakes to get hot and not
work as well. HITCHES. To help avoid personal injury due to sway caused by such things as crosswinds, big trucks passing, road roughness or the separation of the trailer, inform your customers that: 1. A properly installed and adjusted frame-mounted weight-distributing hitch and sway control with enough capacity are required for trailers over 2,000 pounds loaded weight. 2. If their car has spring air bags or air shocks, they should keep them at minimium pressure of 10 to 15 psi when installing, adjusting or when towing with a weight-distributing hitch. 3. They should keep the trailer tongue load at 10% of the loaded trailer weight for dead-weight hitches and 12% for weight-distributing hitches. Tongue loads can be adjusted by proper distribution of the load in the trailer. This can be checked by weighing separately the loaded trailer and then the tongue. 4. They should not use axlemounted hitches. They can damage the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires. 5. When they remove a trailer hitch, mounting holes in the body should be sealed. This will prevent entry of exhaust fumes, dirt or water.
NOTICE: Be sure to tell your customers to use only trailer hitches which permit normal operation of the Energy Absorbing Bumper system. For example, a rigid fore and aft connection between the bumper and any other part of the car may increase damage in the event of a collision. Also, caution your customers to consult their Owner's Manual for additional trailer hitch restrictions, where applicable.
1984 PONTIAC TRAILER TOWING RECOMMENDATIONS
WHAT YOUR TRAILER-TOWING CUSTOMERS SHOULD KNOW
WHEN ORDERING THEIR NEW 1985 PONTIACS
Most 1985 Pontiacs are capable of towing up to 1,000 lbs. But since trailering enthusiasts often wish to pull heavier loads, Pontiac offers a list of available equipment to help them meet their varied trailering needs. Use the chart on the back side of this page to help your customers decide what equipment is best for them. They'll get just what they're after. And you'll get more satisfied customers. Plus, by using the information below on Trailering Considerations and Trailering Cautions, you can help answer many common questions your customers might have.
TRAILERING
CONSIDERATIONS NEW CAR BREAK-IN. Advise your customers to read the new car break-in instructions in their Owner's Manual. Also, we recommend a new Pontiac be driven for 500 miles (800 kilometers) before trailer towing. During this initial break-in period, and for the first 500 miles (800 kilometers) of actual trailer towing, Pontiac owners should avoid fullthrottle starts and speeds over 50 mph (80 km/h). If a new engine, transmission, or axle is installed in the car, the same care should be observed. MAINTENANCE. Don't forget to tell your customers that more frequent service is required when using a car to pull a trailer. For example, all trailer hitch bolts and nuts should be checked occasionally for tightness. For other information regarding special maintenance requirements for trailers, direct your customers to their Owner's Manual and Maintenance Schedule folder.
ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM. Advise your customers to follow these instructions: The coolant level should be checked when their car engine is cool, before starting on a trip. A temporary cooling system overload may be encountered on hot days when pulling on a long grade, when slowing down after higher speeds, or after long idle periods in heavy traffic. If overheating persists, their car should not be driven, and it should be checked by an authorized mechanic. HIGH ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE. An engine loses approximately 4% of its sea level performance for every 1,000 feet of altitude. An engine operating at 10,000 feet above sea level will lose approximately 40% of its performance. For pulling trailers at high altitudes, engines with higher sea level horsepower are recommended, as are higher axle ratios. TIRES. The tires furnished on 1984 Pontiacs are qualified for trailer towing. When towing trailers using a dead-weight hitch, tires should be inflated to the "Cold Tire Pressure" for "Maximum Load" shown on the tire placard attached on the left front door. For trailers using weight-distributing hitches, increase front tire pressure 2 psi above the "Cold Tire Pressure" for "Maximum Load" shown on the tire placard. This increase should never exceed maximum pressure shown on side of tire.
NOTE: The allowable passenger and cargo load for cars also shown on the same placard is reduced by the tongue weight whenever the trailer is attached to the car. BEFORE STARTING A TRIP. Tell customers to check lights, tires and mirror adjustment, and to check car and trailer brakes before
turning into traffic. DOWNGRADES AND LONG UPHILL GRADES. Speed should be reduced and lower transmission gear used to assist braking on long or steep downgrades. Transmission should be downshifted to a lower gear and speed reduced to 45 mph (70 km/h) or below on long uphill grades to reduce possibility of engine overheating. For normal towing with 4-speed automatic transmission, we recommend that you select 3rd gear instead of overdrive. TRAILERING CAUTIONS BRAKES. To help avoid personal injury due to poor braking action, your customers should know that: 1. Trailer brakes of adequate size are required on trailers over 1,000 pounds loaded weight. 2. If trailer brakes are used with the car, follow the installation and balance instructions of the trailer brake maker. 3. They should not tap into the car's brake system if the trailer brake system uses more than 0.02 cubic inch of fluid from the car's master cylinder. In this case, the car's brake fluid capacity will not be enough to operate both the car and trailer brakes under all kinds of use.
4. All brake fluid parts must be able to stand 3,000 psi. The brake fluid tap must be made to the master cylinder port supplying fluid to the rear brakes. Copper tubing is subject to fatigue failure and must not be used. 5. Before going down a steep or long grade, they should reduce speed and shift the transmission into a lower gear to control the car's speed. They should also avoid holding the brake pedal down too long or too often. This could cause the brakes to get hot and not
work as well. HITCHES. To help avoid personal injury due to sway caused by such things as crosswinds, big trucks passing, road roughness or the separation of the trailer, inform your customers that: 1. A properly installed and adjusted frame-mounted weight-distributing hitch and sway control with enough capacity are required for trailers over 2,000 pounds loaded weight. 2. If their car has spring air bags or air shocks, they should keep them at minimium pressure of 10 to 15 psi when installing, adjusting or when towing with a weight-distributing hitch. 3. They should keep the trailer tongue load at 10% of the loaded trailer weight for dead-weight hitches and 12% for weight-distributing hitches. Tongue loads can be adjusted by proper distribution of the load in the trailer. This can be checked by weighing separately the loaded trailer and then the tongue. 4. They should not use axlemounted hitches. They can damage the axle housing, wheel bearings, wheels or tires. 5. When they remove a trailer hitch, mounting holes in the body should be sealed. This will prevent entry of exhaust fumes, dirt or water.
NOTICE: Be sure to tell your customers to use only trailer hitches which permit normal operation of the Energy Absorbing Bumper system. For example, a rigid fore and aft connection between the bumper and any other part of the car may increase damage in the event of a collision. Also, caution your customers to consult their Owner's Manual for additional trailer hitch restrictions, where applicable.
1985 PONTIAC TRAILER TOWING RECOMMENDATIONS