Do you depend on your new Toyota near Charlotte to help you get tough jobs done? If so, towing will probably come up on your list of to-dos at some point in your life. However, it’s not as easy as you think – most NC drivers think towing just involves hitching up your cargo to your car and hitting the road. There are actually a lot more variables to consider before you put your new Toyota to the towing test!
What kind of towing capabilities does your N Charlotte Toyota have?
Before you get started, think about the capabilities of your new Toyota in N Charlotte. Obviously a Toyota Corolla won’t have the same towing abilities as the 2014 Toyota Tundra. Take a peek at your owner’s manual, but another way to check your car’s towing capabilities is to go by the weight of the cargo:
- 1,000 pounds or less: Typically a sedan or crossover can take on loads of this weight category.
- More than 1,000 pounds: This category gets split – N Charlotte Toyota SUVs can typically handle more weight than a sedan, but for heavy-duty jobs you'll want to put a new Toyota truck to the test. (For example, the 2014 Toyota Tundra can tow up to 8,100 pounds.)
You’ll also want to think about the shape of your car – have you been keeping up with your routine auto service? Have you had an oil change? How are your tires? Are your brakes in good shape? All of these elements will come into play when you tow with your new Toyota in N Charlotte, so they need to be in top-notch condition.
On top of that, you’ll want to make sure that your hitch is attached properly! You should never attach a tow to the bumper of your new Toyota – it can rip it right off. Similarly, not attaching it to the frame correctly can cause costly damage to the frame itself! Our N Charlotte Toyota dealership can help you figure out the perfect way to get towing!
Adjust driving habits when towing with your new Toyota!
You also have to remember to adjust your driving habits when you’re behind the wheel of a new Toyota that’s towing. Remember:
- You've got a lot more weight behind you than normal, so you should always leave more braking distance to allow for extra room when you bring your N Charlotte Toyota to a stop.
- You can't switch lanes as quickly – you need to account for the extra length behind you and make sure there's enough space when you get over. Same goes for turns – sharp turns are NEVER a good idea when you're towing!
- Also keep in mind that other drivers need to be able to predict your movements, so you should ensure your cargo has brake lights and turn signals hooked up to the trailer if possibly.
Want more tips? Give us a shout or swing by our NC Toyota dealership! We’re just off I-77 at exit 23 and we’re always here to help you get out on the road – come see us today!
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