Operator Manual Owner manual

SECTION 2 - TRAILER OPERATION
3121224 – Triple-L-Trailer – 2-15
Safe Trailer Towing Guidelines
• Recheck the load tie downs to make sure the load will
not shift during towing.
• Before towing, check coupling, safety chain, safety
brake, tires, wheels and lights.
• Check the lug nuts or bolts for tightness.
• Check coupler tightness after towing 50 miles.
• When equipped with electric brakes, adjust the brake
controller to engage the trailer brakes before the tow
vehicle brakes. Your dealer can assist you by making
this adjustment.
• Be aware of the width of the trailer, which, in most
cases will be wider than the tow vehicle. This is espe-
cially important when turning, passing, and pulling next
to a curb.
• Be sure your rear view mirrors are adjusted properly.
Use your mirrors to verify that you have room to
change lanes or pull into traffic.
• Use your turn signals well in advance.
• Increase speed slowly when starting the tow. Carefully
watch the trailer and if you observe any trailer sway,
stop and reposition the load.
• Allow plenty of stopping space for your trailer and tow
vehicle.
• Do not drive so fast that the trailer begins to sway due
to speed. Never drive faster than 55 m.p.h.
• Allow plenty of room for passing. A rule of thumb is that
the passing distance with a trailer is 4 times the pass-
ing distance without a trailer.
• Shift your automatic transmission into a lower gear for
city driving.
• Use lower gears for climbing and descending grades.
• Do not ride the brakes while descending grades; they
may get so hot that they stop working. Then you will
potentially have a runaway tow vehicle and trailer.
• To conserve fuel, don't use full throttle to climb a hill.
Instead, build speed on the approach.
• Slow down for bumps in the road. Take your foot off the
brake when crossing the bump.
• Do not brake while in a curve unless absolutely neces-
sary. Instead, slow down before you enter the curve
and power through the curve. This way, the towing
vehicle remains “in charge.”
• Do not apply the brakes to correct extreme trailer
swaying. Continued pulling of the trailer, and even
slight acceleration, will provide a stabilizing force.
• Make regular stops after every 50 miles or about once
each hour. Confirm that:
a. The coupler is secure to the hitch and is locked.
b. Electrical connectors are made.
c. There is appropriate slack in the safety chains.
d. There is appropriate slack in the breakaway
switch cable.
e. The tires are not visibly low on pressure.
f. Cargo is secure and in good condition.