Honda 2003 Accord Sedan Owner's Manual page 242

Main Menu Table of Contents
Checking Loads
The best way to confirm that car and
trailer weights are within limits is to
have them checked at a public scale.
Using a suitable scale or a special
tongue load gauge, check the tongue
load the first time you set up a
towing combination (a fully-loaded
car and trailer), then recheck the
tongue load whenever the conditions
change.
Towing Equipment and
Accessories
Towing can require a variety of
equipment, depending on the size of
your trailer, how it will be used, and
how much load you are towing.
Discuss your needs with your trailer
sales or rental agency, and follow the
guidelines in the rest of this section.
Also make sure that all equipment is
properly installed and that it meets
federal, state, province, and local
regulations.
Hitches
Any hitch used on your car must be
properly bolted to the underbody.
Towing a Trailer
Safety Chains
Always use safety chains. Make sure
they are secured to both the trailer
and hitch, and that they cross under
the tongue so they can catch the
trailer if it becomes unhitched.
Leave enough slack to allow the
trailer to turn corners easily, but do
not let the chains drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Honda recommends that any trailer
having a total weight of 1,000 lbs
(450 kg) or more be equipped with
its own electric or surge-type brakes.
If you choose electric brakes, be
sure they are electronically actuated.
Do not attempt to tap into your car's
hydraulic system. No matter how
successful it may seem, any attempt
to attach trailer brakes to your car's
hydraulic system will lower braking
effectiveness and create a potential
hazard.
Driving
CONTINUED
239