Things To Know Before You Tow
As a vehicle owner, it’s important to be aware of what affects operating your vehicle under severe conditions, such as frequent towing, can have on your vehicle. Not only can this result in costly damage to your vehicle, but it can also limit your vehicle’s ability to continue to reliably perform functions such as towing. Now is the time to schedule maintenance on your vehicle at the Smith Motors Chevy Service Center!
Before You Tow
It is best to avoid towing anything for the first 500 miles on your new vehicle. The vehicle is too new for any serious hauling just yet. After you reach the first 500 miles, it is still important to limit your speed and stop frequently for the first 500 miles you begin towing.
Towing Safely With You Chevrolet Vehicle
Though Chevys are consistently awarded for their safety and functionality, it is important for you to keep in mind a few things when beginning to tow with your Chevy. Be mindful of the maximum weight your Chevrolet can haul. This means that in addition to the vehicle and anything inside of it, like passengers, luggage, or other interior cargo, any additional weight you add to the vehicle needs to add up to less than this limit. If you don’t follow this guideline, it is very likely your vehicle will experience premature wear and damage to several of its components, not to mention it is very unsafe.
Best Chevys for Towing
If you’re looking for the best SUV for towing a boat, the Equinox is for you with a towing capacity of up to 5,787 pounds with front-wheel drive or 5,952 pounds with all-wheel drive. If you’re looking for the best truck for towing a boat, the Chevy Colorado towing capacity has you covered with the impressive ability to haul up to 7,700 pounds when equipped with the turbo-diesel engine. You can find a Chevy Equinox or Colorado for sale now at the Chevrolet of Northwest Indiana!
Tips For Towing with Your Chevrolet
- Check your brakes: This is important since you’ll be adding extra stress to your vehicle’s braking system, and you’ll want to make sure your truck hitch, pads, rotors, and brake fluid are all set to tow your load. Make sure to do this even if your trailer is equipped with brakes already.
- Leave plenty of space when stopping: Since you’ll be stopping a lot more when pulling a trailer, it is important to give yourself at least one additional car length of space between you and other vehicles.
- Stay below 55 mph: Your owner’s manual suggests you keep your speed at 55 mph or less when hauling a trailer, and that’s that law in many states. It will keep you, those around you, and your cargo safe.
- Carry a spare trailer tire: You never know what can happen when you’re out of the road with a heavy load, and carrying a spare trailer tire, just like carrying a spare regular tire, is important for those unexpected situations.
- Stay in low gear: It is important not to overdrive when towing. Staying in a lower gear ensures that the transmission slows the engine speed quicker and that you don’t strain the overdrive gear.
Scheduled Maintenance at Smith Motors!
If you’re regularly using your vehicle to tow loads, it’s important to make sure it’s regularly serviced to avoid safety and repair issues. At Smith Chevrolet in Lowell, Indiana, our GM Certified Service department has the expertise to perform a wide range of GM services. From routine maintenance to critical repairs, we take the stress out of servicing your vehicle. Visit us to learn more about towing with your vehicle or schedule maintenance now!
