User Guide
Y
You
should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross
the
safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer
so
that
the
tongue will
not
drop to the road
if
it
becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow
the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do
not
attach them
to
the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so
you
can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
If your trarler weighs more than
1,000
lbs.
(450
kg)
loaded, then it needs its own brakes
--
and
they
must be
adequate. Be sure
to
read and follow the instructions for
the trailer brakes
so
you’ll be able
to
install, adjust and
maintain them properly.
Your trailer brake system can tap into
the
vehicle’s
hydraulic brake system
only
if:
The trailer parts can withstand
3,000
psi
(20
650
kPa) of pressure.
0
The trailer’s brake system will use less than
0.02
cubic inch
(0.3
cc) of
fluid
from your vehicle’s
master cylinder. Otherwise, both braking systems
won’t work well. You could even lose your brakes.
If everything checks out this far, make the brake tap
at the port
on
the master cylinder that sends the fluid to
the rear brakes. But don’t use copper tubing for this.
If
you
do, it will bend and finally break off. Use steel
brake tubing.
rrailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting
out
for
the
open road, you’ll want to get
to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that
the
vehicle you are
driving is now a good deal longer and
not
nearly as
responsive
as
your vehicle is by itself.
Before
you
start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand
to
be sure
the brakes are working. This lets
you
check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally
to
be sure that the
load is secure, and that
the
lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
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