Airstream REI Co-op Special Edition Owner'S Manual Download Page 58

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7-4

2023 REI Special Edition

Weighing Your Trailer

The illustration below shows how to weigh the trailer on

scales�

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�  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 4 x 4 piece

of wood on the two round pieces and screw the jack

extension down on the top of the 4 x 4 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�  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.