Entire contents of manual must be read by owner Owner's Manual Quality Towing Systems since 1974
Welcome to the ROADMASTER family! This manual has been prepared to acquaint you with the installation, operation, care and maintenance of your tow bar, and to provide you with important safety information. Read your owner’s manual cover to cover. Understand how to install and operate your tow bar, and carefully follow the instructions and safety precautions. Your tow bar has a one-year limited warranty.
Table of Contents Safety definitions ................................... inside front cover Safe towing practices ..................................................... 2-4 Installer’s safety checklist ............................................. 4-5 Installing the ‘quick-disconnect’ system ...................... 6-8 Connecting and disconnecting Connecting the tow bar ........................................... 8-11 Disconnecting the tow bar .........................................
Safe Towing Practices To ensure your safety and that of your passengers, as well as the safety of others on the road, follow these safe towing practices at all times. CAUTION • Do not back up the motorhome with the towed vehicle attached. Backing up with the towed vehicle attached will cause the towed vehicle to “jackknife,” which will damage the tow bar, the mounting bracket, the receiver hitch, the towed vehicle's front end, and/or the rear of the motorhome.
Safe towing practices continued from preceding page Additionally, check the tow bar bracket every 3,000 miles — inspect for any fractures or cracks in the steel, or any visible damage. Do not tow if the tow bar bracket is damaged. Additionally, check the torque on all bolts. (To find the torque ratings, refer to the installation instructions for the mounting bracket and the tow bar.) • Never tow a vehicle with one of a comparable weight.
Safe towing practices Installer’s safety checklist continued from preceding page using a tow bar, never tow more than one vehicle, or nonwarranty damage or injury may result. • The tow bar stinger fits motorhome hitch receivers with 2-inch inner diameters. If the motorhome hitch receiver is a larger size, attach a 2-inch adaptor sleeve (not supplied) to the hitch receiver.
Installer’s safety checklist continued from preceding page mum of 6,000 pounds carrying capacity; therefore ROADMASTER has used 6,000 pounds as a standard for rating the weight capacity of all supplementary towing equipment, as well as the towed vehicle and all its contents, throughout this manual.) • The tow bar must be attached to a bracket which is bolted to the towed vehicle’s frame or unibody.
Installing the ‘quick-disconnect’ system Your ROADMASTER tow bar is equipped with an exclusive “quick-disconnect” (or, “QD”) system. Before connecting the tow bar to the vehicle, first install the components of the QD system to the mounting bracket. Note: the quick-disconnect system is not used with ROADMASTER ‘MS’ or ‘MX’ series mounting brackets. If the towed vehicle has MS or MX brackets, proceed to the next section — “Connecting the tow bar.
Installing the ‘quick-disconnect’ system continued from preceding page cable anchor “E” to part “A,” and cable anchor “F” to part “B,” using the supplied ½" x 1" bolts and nuts. Do not tighten any of the bolts — leave them loose for now — they will be tightened later. WARNING Use all mounting hardware, the safety plates, and the cable anchors.
Installing the ‘quick-disconnect’ system continued from preceding page less they are properly locked in place over the vertical pins on both quick-disconnects. Refer to Figures 3 and 4. Failure to install the linch pins properly will result in tow bar malfunction, loss and damage to the vehicle and property, personal injury or even death. 4. Adjust the spacing of QDs “A” and “B” until the QD bases slide on and off easily. Now, torque all bolts to 75 ft./lbs.
Connecting the tow bar and the release latch are pointing up, as shown in Figure 6. Components of the tow bar may be damaged if the tow bar is attached with the release latch and/ or the locking mechanisms pointing down. continued from preceding page CAUTION Attach the tow bar so that the locking mechanisms Figure 5 © 4. Hold both tow bar arms firmly, and rotate them up, so that they are vertical, as shown in Figure 5. WARNING Rotate both arms up, until they are vertical.
quick-disconnect base Connecting the tow bar Figure 8 continued from preceding page Both tow bar arms must be attached to the quick-disconnect bases and locked with a linch pin. Towing vibrations will force the linch pins out unless they are properly locked in place over the base pins on both quick-disconnect bases, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.
Connecting the tow bar fail during towing, causing property damage, personal injury or even death. continued from preceding page When you drive away, steer briefly to the left and then to the right, to extend, self-center and lock the tow bar. Always stop at this time. Check the tow bar to ensure that both arms are locked, before assuming highway speed. Additionally, check the other components of your towing system, to ensure that they are fully engaged.
Disconnecting the tow bar 1. Disconnecting the tow bar is essentially the reverse of connecting it. First, always try to park on level ground, with the towed vehicle in line with the motorhome. This will eliminate most of the tension between the vehicles, allowing for an easier disconnect. 2. Disconnect the electrical wiring harness, safety cables, and any other towing system accessories. 3. Lift the release handles on each tow bar arm (Figure 11) to release the locking mechanisms.
Wiring instructions The Sterling All Terrain tow bar comes equipped with a fully-wired motorhome-to-towed vehicle electrical cord — simply plug the cord into the sockets on the motorhome and the towed vehicle. If you should need to rewire the plugs and sockets, follow the instructions below for a four-wire system, or the instructions on pages 14 and 15 for a six-wire system. Wiring the plug for a four-wire system 1. Insert the end of the electrical cord through one of the cable guides. 2.
Wiring instructions — four-wire system al injury or even death. continued from preceding page shown in Figure 13. Or, wire the socket to match the existing wiring on the motorhome. 4. Tighten all the set screws, and check each wire to ensure that it is secure. Apply a clear silicone sealant around each wire entry and set screw indentation — this will help weatherproof the socket and secure the set screws. 5.
Wiring instructions — six-wire system 5 4 1 continued from preceding page 5. If your motorhome does not have the correct wiring socket already, you can replace it with the new socket for the six-wire cord, and connect the appropriate wires to the new socket, according to Figure 15. 6. Now, connect the six-wire electrical cord to the motorhome and to the towed vehicle. Test the towed vehicle’s turn signals, tail lights and brake lights to ensure they mimic the motorhome’s.
How to use safety cables Safety cables are an integral part of your towing system. They are a secondary safety device, required by law in many states. This section, and the following section, will acquaint you with how to use them properly. • The safety cables must connect the towing vehicle to the towed vehicle, frame to frame. • The safety cables must be rated at 6,000 pounds weight capacity per pair, or higher.
Figure 16 electrical cord The built-in cable guides will help prevent the safety cables and 12-volt electrical cord from being damaged. short safety cable Use quick links for easy attachment and removal of cables . Connect each long safety cable to the slot in the cable anchor. Proper installation of safety cables Some ROADMASTER tow bar mounting brackets with removable arms, such as the ones in Figures 16 and 17, use both a long safety cable and a short safety cable on each side.
Proper installation of safety cables continued from preceding page bolted directly to the frame of the towed vehicle and do not require short safety cables. If your ROADMASTER bracket kit contains short safety cables, refer to the installation instructions for complete information. WARNING The safety cables must be carefully routed so that they cannot become pinched, frayed, scraped or otherwise damaged, and so they will not drag when going over dips or low spots.
Stay within the ‘Safe Zone’ base pin is‘SAFE below the motorhome hitch receiver. STAY WITHINtheIfTHE ZONE’ the tow bar is not within the Safe Zone, you must pur- Towing with a motorhome-mounted tow bar which has an upward or downward slope puts undue strain on the entire towing system. For that reason, do not tow if the tow bar is not within the ‘Safe Zone' — no more than three inches above level or four inches below level.
Care and cleaning As is the case with most precision equipment, frequent cleaning and care results in better performance and longevity. Use the following guidelines to keep your tow bar clean and well-lubricated. Always clean the tow bar before lubricating. Use a water-soluble cleaner such as Voom RV (part number 9911) — it does an exceptional job of breaking down road film, dirt and grease.
Limited Warranty 1. WARRANTY 1a. WARRANTY OF CONFORMITY AT TIME OF SALE ROADMASTER, Inc. warrants that at the time of sale of this product it will be free from defects in material and manufacture and will conform to ROADMASTER’S specifications for the product. 1b.
QD linch pins (2) 910024 quickdisconnect (QD) 222 QD base pin with chain (2) 910029 quickdisconnect (QD) 222 crossbar 067 cable anchors (2) 910653 release handle 750600 swivel ear 910661 inner/outer arm assembly, driver’s side 910656 lock cap 200460-00 inner/outer arm assembly, passenger’s side 910657 release latch (patent no. 6,619,686) and stinger assembly 910019-40 hitch pin & clip 910027 Quality Towing Systems since 1974 ROADMASTER, Inc. • 5602 N.E.
