Airstream REI Co-op Special Edition, Owner'S Manual

Page: 61 / 90

Towing
2023 REI Special Edition
7-7
Backing Up
When backing up, the important thing to remember is
to do everything slowly and to correct immediately if
you see the trailer turning the wrong way� Concentrate
on the rear of the trailer� With your tow vehicle and
trailer in a straight line, back up slowly and turn the
bottom of the steering wheel in the direction you want
the trailer to go� Watch out the window or in the mirror
until the rear of the trailer is pointing in the desired
direction� Your tow vehicle will be following the trailer in
an arc� Straighten the tow vehicle and trailer by turning
the steering wheel more sharply, and then, when they
are in line, straighten the steering wheel�
Always try to back to your left because the visibility is
much better. When you don’t make it on the first try, it
is usually much easier to pull forward to your original
position and start over, or at least pull forward until the
rig is straight, and then start backing�
If your spouse or traveling companion normally directs
you when backing, they should position themselves
forward of the tow vehicle so the driver can easily see
them� Their directions should always indicate to the
driver the direction the rear of the trailer should go�
A little practice in a parking lot, with the person giving
directions, can save a lot of frustration when backing
into a campsite�
Stopped On a Hill
Refer to the following warning if stopped on a hill for a
prolonged period of time�
WARNING
Chock the trailer wheels when stopping on a hill
or slope. Leaving your tow vehicle in gear is not
enough for standstill safety. Do not use trailer
brakes as parking brakes.
Controlling Sway or Fishtailing
Sway or fishtailing is the sideways action of a trailer
caused by external forces� It is common for trailers to
sway in response to strong winds, crosswinds, when
passed by or passing a semi-tractor and trailer, or
driving downhill�
WARNING
Excessive sway or fishtailing of your trailer can
lead to the rollover of the trailer and tow vehicle.
Serious injury or death can occur. It is important
that you read and understand the information in
this section.
Sway or fishtailing of your recreation vehicle can be
controlled and is primarily impacted by four factors:
• Equipment
• Tongue Weight
• Driving
• Corrective Measures
Equipment
When hitched together, the trailer and the tow vehicle
must be level� The tires of both the trailer and tow
vehicle should be in good condition and properly
inflated to their recommended pressures.
Braking is a very important factor in vehicle control;
see Brakes on page 7-2 and see Electronic Brake
Controller on page 7-2�
We recommend a friction sway damper or hitch with
built-in sway control be provided for your unit� Please
consult your dealer regarding this equipment� For more
information, see Sway Control Device on page 7-8�
Tongue weight
For information about tongue weight, see Weighing
Your Trailer on page 7-4 and see Equalizing Hitch
Load Distribution on page 7-5�
Driving
This is the most important component� The tendency
for the vehicle to sway increases with speed therefore,
obey all speed limits and reduce speed during
inclement weather or windy conditions�