General information
Note: When towing a trailer, the service life of the vehicle and its efficiency are reduced, because. increases the load on the components involved in the transmission of torque (from engine to tires). In this regard, it is not allowed to tow a trailer at the initial stage of vehicle operation with a mileage of less than 800 km! During the first 800 km of the first towing of the trailer, the speed of more than 80 km/h is not allowed!
Comply with legal requirements for maximum trailer towing weight (see specs). Before towing, make sure that both the trailer and the car itself are in good technical condition. Use only certified coupling devices, the installation of which should be entrusted to experienced specialists. Similar requirements apply to the connection of the brake system and signal lighting devices of the trailer. When towing, try to choose the speed and other driving parameters based on the weight of the trailer. Remember that a trailer adds to the actual weight of the vehicle, and do not exceed the maximum permitted vehicle weight and maximum rear axle load.
Drawbar hitch
Attention: When driving without a trailer, the ball joint must be dismantled!
The installation dimensions of the towing device are given in the Specifications.
With the appropriate configuration at the factory, the vehicle is equipped with a towing device with a removable ball joint. The ball joint is stored in a bag in the luggage compartment under the removable cover of the luggage compartment niche and is secured with a special fastening strap on the spare wheel (see illustration 32.1).
32.1 Storing the removed towball
To mount the ball joint, you must:
- Pre-press 2 latches and remove the service cover on the rear bumper (see illustration 32.2);
32.2 Removing the service cover on the rear bumper
- Remove plug (see illustration 32.3) from the seat for the ball joint and remove it together with the removed service cover into the luggage compartment, remove the ball joint from the luggage box, remove the cover;
32.3 Removing the ball seat plug
- Check the position of the latch levers - lever (1) (see illustration 32.4) must not protrude from the body;
32.4 Preparing the ball joint for installation/removing the ball joint
- If this condition is not met, it is necessary to clamp the ball joint before installing it in the seat, and press the latch levers (see illustration 32.4);
- Insert the ball joint into the mounting seat and push forward with force until it locks into place (see illustration 32.5), then install the protective cover on the latch levers and lock until it clicks. If the lid does not snap into place, repeat the installation of the free support;
32.5 Fitting the tow ball
- Insert the key into the lock cylinder located on the left side of the ball joint (see illustration 32.6), move it to the position where the longer side of the wrench handle is pointing down, and remove it from the cylinder, replacing the protective cap.
32.6 In the locked position, the longer side of the key handle must point down
Check the reliability of fixation of the ball joint.
Attention! Driving with a trailer is only permitted with a properly installed ball joint. In case of difficulties during the installation of the support, consult an Opel workshop. If the trailer is equipped with a brake system, attach the safety cable to the eye (see illustration 32.7).
32.7 Trailer safety cable eyelet
To dismantle the ball joint, you must:
- Unlock the ball joint with a key;
- Remove the protective cover of the latch levers;
- Release latch levers (see illustration 32.4) and pull the ball joint out of the mounting socket, put on the cover and fix the support on the spare wheel;
- Install the support seat plug and rear bumper service cover.
Attention! Cleaning the ball joint by blowing with hot steam or other high pressure devices is unacceptable!
Main characteristics of driving with a trailer
Trailer load
The actual trailer load is the difference between the actual total weight of the trailer and the drawbar load when hitched. To check the trailer load on the scale, only the trailer wheels should be installed. Only drivers with sufficient experience in towing large or heavy trailers should operate the vehicle with the full permitted trailer load. The permitted trailer loads depend on the type of vehicle and engine and must not be exceeded. The permissible trailer load is recorded in the vehicle documents. In the absence of a special entry, the value of the permissible trailer load is applicable for inclines no more than 12%.
These allowable values characterize the capabilities of the car only for the specified slopes at an altitude of up to 1000 m above sea level (NN normal zero). At high altitudes, due to rarefied air, engine power is reduced - to calculate the maximum permissible trailer load, it is necessary to reduce its standard value by 10% for every 1000 m above sea level.
Note: When driving on roads with a slight incline (less than 8%) there is no need to reduce the trailer load.
Support load
Support load (drawbar vertical load) - this is the force with which the trailer presses on the coupling support of the tow hitch. This force can be adjusted by distributing the weight when the trailer is loaded. The maximum permissible drawbar load of the towing vehicle is indicated on the type plate of the trailer tow hitch and in the documentation of the vehicle. You should try to always maintain this value, especially for heavy trailers.
Attention! The supporting load must be at least 25 kg!
When measuring the drawbar load, it is necessary to set the drawbar of the loaded trailer to the same height at which it will be after attaching the trailer to the loaded vehicle. This is especially important for two-axle trailers.
Rear axle load
When the trailer is attached and the towing vehicle is fully loaded, including the weight of all passengers, the load on the rear axle must not exceed the permissible load (see specs) more than 40 kg. If, however, the permissible load on the rear axle is greater, do not exceed the speed limit 100 km/h.
Note: If traffic rules establish lower speeds when operating a car with a trailer, follow the Rules.
Tire pressure
When operating a vehicle with a trailer, you should constantly monitor the maintenance of the appropriate air pressure in the tires, depending on the load of the vehicle and trailer (see specs), make appropriate adjustments if necessary.
Trailer stabilization system (TSA)
When equipped, the TSA monitors the driving behavior of the vehicle with a trailer. If the system detects a strong «yaw», the engine power is automatically reduced and the trailer braked in a targeted manner until «yaw» won't stop.
Tips for driving with a trailer
When operating a vehicle with a trailer, consider the following recommendations:
- a) An additional trailer load significantly affects the operation of all vehicle systems and changes the parameters of the engine, controls, brakes, and other systems.
- b) Before starting a trip, check the serviceability of the towing device, the operability of the brake system (with appropriate equipment) and external light signaling of the trailer.
- c) Avoid abrupt acceleration and braking, as well as abrupt maneuvers when turning or changing lanes.
- d) When towing a trailer, the vehicle is more prone to drift from a straight line due to crosswind gusts, uneven road surfaces, aerodynamic disturbances from passing trucks, etc.
- e) Observe the established traffic rules for high-speed traffic, especially on roads with slippery surfaces. The speed limit for vehicles with a trailer is always less than for a conventional vehicle. In any case, when driving with a trailer, it is not recommended to exceed the speed of 80 km/h.
- f) On diesel models, on grades of 10% or more, do not exceed 30 km/h in first gear and 50 km/h in second.
- g) When driving with a trailer, the stopping distance of the vehicle is significantly longer than under normal driving conditions. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. In the event of emergency braking, keep the brake pedal fully depressed until the vehicle comes to a complete stop.
- h) If, while driving, «yaw» trailer, reduce the speed of movement until a complete stop - do not try to compensate for the wobbling of the trailer by maneuvering the steering wheel.
- i) On long descents, the load on the brakes increases significantly, so engine braking should be used. The choice of gear must be made in accordance with the general rule for driving downhill: «Go downhill in the same gear that the vehicle can go up that slope».
- j) After stopping on a steep hill, it may be difficult to start the car, especially on models with manual transmission. In this case, use the parking brake to keep the vehicle from rolling. To start the movement, depress the clutch pedal and set the constant average engine speed by pressing the gas pedal (gasoline engines - from 2500 to 3000 rpm, for diesel engines - from 2000 to 2200 rpm), then slowly release the parking brake lever and release the clutch pedal while gradually increasing the engine speed. On vehicles with AT in automatic mode, it is enough to fully depress the gas pedal Before starting off in extreme conditions (high trailer weight, driving in mountainous conditions with steep slopes) Unnecessary energy consumers should be switched off, e.g. heated rear window, air conditioning, heated front seats.
- To) When parking, it is recommended to place wheel chocks on the wheels of the car and trailer - stopping on steep slopes is not recommended. When equipped, always use the trailer parking brake.
- l) When loading, the heaviest items should be placed over the axle of the trailer, in addition, follow all the recommendations of the manufacturer.
Visitor comments