Airstream Caravel 2023, Owner'S Manual

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Towing
7-4
2023 Caravel
Weighing Your Trailer
The illustration below shows how to weigh the trailer on
scales�
1
2 3
1� Trailer’s total weight, cannot exceed GVWR�
2� Trailer’s weight on axles cannot exceed GAWR�
3� Weight on trailer tongue�
To determine that the GAWR is not exceeded, it is
necessary to load all of your allowable personal cargo
and variable weights� Then hitch the trailer to the tow
vehicle with load equalizing hitch properly adjusted�
Chock wheels and place the trailer on a scale with
both axles only on the scale (see illustration)� If the
weight on the axles exceeds the axle system’s GAWR,
then some of the personal cargo must be redistributed
forward in order to place some of this weight on the
tongue�
The tongue weight should be 10 to 15% of the trailer’s
total weight, and must not exceed the tow vehicle’s
or the hitch’s maximum weight rating� To determine
tongue load, unhitch tow vehicle and place the tongue
hitch post on a scale� The trailer must be properly
loaded as determined above, with your allowable
personal cargo and variable weights�
Use a scale, such as a bathroom scale, that has a
lower weight limit than your tongue load, to check the
tongue weight by using the following method (see
illustration)�
2 FT.
1 Ft.
1
2
3
1� Bathroom Scale
2� Pipe
3� Wood Support
Place a piece of wood of approximately the same
thickness as the bathroom scales on the ground in
line with the trailer hitch jack as shown� It should be so
spaced that a short piece of pipe or other round piece
will lay exactly one foot from the centerline of the jack
extension�
Place the scales so that another round piece can
be exactly two feet from the centerline of the jack
extension in the other direction� Place a 4x4 piece
of wood on the two round pieces and screw the jack
extension down on the top of the 4x4 until the tongue
of the trailer is supported by it� Multiply the scale
reading by three� This will be the tongue weight of
your trailer� If you exceed the capacity of the bathroom
scales, increase the two-foot dimension to three or four
more feet, but always multiply the scale reading by the
total number of feet between the wood and scales�
NOTE
Be sure trailer is level when reading scales.
Hitching Up
The process of hitching up your trailer is something
that will become almost second nature with practice�
The following section includes proper hitch load
distribution� Proper training on connecting your trailer
to a tow vehicle is essential for safety� Please see your
dealer or other qualified personnel for instruction on the
proper hitching of your trailer� Safety chain use on the
hitch is required in all states�
7-Way Plug
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1� Black, 12-Volt (+)
2� Green, Clearance Lights/Taillights
3� Red, Left Turn/Stop
4� White, 12-Volt (-)
5� Blue, Brake
6� Brown, Right Turn/Stop
7� Blank
NOTE
The 7-Way Plug is spliced to the main harness in
the area of the 12-volt distribution panel in front of
the trailer.