Vehicle and trailer weight check
The most reliable way to check the compliance of the masses of the car and trailer with the requirements is by weighing.
Load the vehicle and trailer as they would normally be used in a road train and weigh them on the truck scales. Determine the total masses of the vehicle and trailer, as well as the masses per axle of the vehicle and trailer and the hitch. Then compare the obtained values with the maximum permitted masses for the car.
Trailer towing equipment
To transport a trailer, special equipment is required, which must comply with the design of the vehicle and trailer, the towing conditions and the characteristics of the cargo being transported.
Get information about the trailer and the necessary equipment from the dealer where you bought or rented the trailer. Follow all trailer manufacturer's recommendations for trailer installation and operation, as well as the recommendations in this section of the manual. Strictly observe the requirements of the Rules of the Road and other regulations regarding the use of trailers and trailer towing equipment.
Drawbar hitch
The towing device must be securely fastened to the supporting structure of the vehicle body.
Safety chains
When attaching a trailer to a vehicle, be sure to use safety chains. The ends of the safety chains must be securely fastened to the appropriate places on the trailer and vehicle hitch. Make sure the chains cross under the trailer tongue. This will prevent the front end of the drawbar from falling onto the road if the trailer and vehicle are uncoupled. The lengths of the chains must be sufficient so as not to interfere with road train turns with minimum radii. However, safety chains should not be allowed to be dragged along the ground.
Trailer brake system
If you are going to purchase a trailer equipped with brakes, make sure they are electrically controlled. The design of the hydraulic drive of the working brake system of the car does not provide for the possibility of connecting the brake system of the trailer to it. Any method of connecting a trailer brake system to the hydraulic brake drive of a car, no matter how attractive it may seem, will lead to a deterioration in the braking efficiency of the car and a decrease in traffic safety.
Refer to the trailer manufacturer's documentation for installation of the trailer brake electrical system.
Location of attachment points and rear overhang of the trailer hitch
Note. 1. The icons indicate the attachment points of the tow hitch.
Note. 2. indicates the position of the pivot point of the drawbar.
Outdoor lighting and signaling devices on a trailer
Trailer exterior lighting system (like the rest of his equipment), must comply with the capabilities of the vehicle and the requirements of the legislation of the country in which it is operated.
The vehicle may be equipped with an electrical socket for connecting trailer exterior lights.
The wiring on trailers of different brands is not the same. Contact an electrician to check and, if necessary, install on the trailer the electrical equipment necessary to connect the trailer lighting system. Incorrect connection of the trailer's electrical system to the vehicle's electrical system can lead to a malfunction of the vehicle's electrical system.
Be sure to check with your Honda dealer before connecting a trailer lighting system to your vehicle's electrical system.
Trailer accessories
Towing a trailer may require the installation of special rear-view mirrors on the vehicle. Check local laws and Highway Code requirements for towing trailers by passenger cars. You may want to install such mirrors on your car, even if they are not required by current regulations. Attach the trailer to the car and evaluate the degree of deterioration in the view of the area behind the car through the standard rear-view mirrors. If the visibility is not satisfactory, then for safety reasons it is necessary to install special rear-view mirrors on the car.
Check with your dealer or trailer rental agency to see if accessories are recommended for your trailer.
Preparing to tow a trailer
Before starting a trip with a car with a trailer, it is necessary to carry out a control inspection and check of the car and trailer:
Perform daily vehicle inspection and maintenance. Check the condition of the tires and the pressure in them, as well as the serviceability of the brake system, suspension and engine cooling system;
make sure that the trailer is prepared for the trip and is in good condition;
make sure that all trailer load capacities do not exceed the maximum allowable values;
check the reliability of the fastening of the trailer drawbar, safety chains and other elements of the trailer connection with the vehicle;
securely fasten all objects transported on the trailer so that they cannot move during the movement.
Trailer towing
Make sure that all outdoor lighting devices and brake mechanisms, both trailer and car, are in good condition.
Check the technical condition of the tires. Check the air pressure in the tires of the car and trailer (including spare wheel). Trailer tire pressure must be the same as recommended by the trailer manufacturer.
Check current restrictions «Rules of the road» to the maximum speed of a car with a trailer. If you are planning to travel to multiple countries, check in advance for specific local requirements and restrictions regarding towing a trailer with a passenger car, as each country may have its own specifics.
The speed limit for a road train consisting of a passenger car and a trailer is set at 100 km/h.
Trailer Towing Safety Precautions
The additional mass and increased dimensions of the road train formed by the car and the trailer significantly affect the handling and traction capabilities of the car. Therefore, when transporting a trailer, it is necessary to have some special driving skills and techniques.
Driving speed and gear shifting
When transporting a trailer in all driving conditions, the speed must be lower than in the same conditions for a car without a trailer. Obey the speed limits set by the Rules of the Road. At high speeds, the trailer may «wag», which makes driving difficult.
Turning and braking
Remember that the length of the road train significantly exceeds the length of a single car. When making a turn, move slower than you are used to. Please note that when the road train turns, the trailer moves in a smaller radius than the car and may run into or collide with an obstacle that the car has freely passed. It should be borne in mind that the braking distance of a car towing a trailer increases. Therefore, when driving with a trailer, you should maintain an increased distance from the vehicle in front. Braking should begin earlier than for a car without a trailer. Try to avoid sudden braking and turning. This could cause the vehicle combination to fold or the trailer to tip over.
Cross-country driving
When overcoming long climbs, carefully monitor the temperature of the engine on the arrow pointer on the dashboard. If the pointer arrow approaches the engine overheating zone (red zone of the scale), turn off the air conditioner and reduce the driving speed. If necessary, stop at the side of the road and let the engine cool down.
When driving on long downhills, slow down and shift the transmission to a lower gear to take advantage of engine braking. On steep descents, shift into 1st gear.