Airstream Sport 2017, Owner'S Manual

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Towing
7-6
2017 Sport
Downhill and Non-level Driving
When going downhill in dry weather, downshift so
engine compression will slow the whole rig down� Take
dips and depressions in the road slowly and do not
resume normal driving speeds until you are sure that
the trailer wheels are clear of the dip�
WARNING
On slippery pavement, do not use engine drag to
help slow down as this may cause the rear wheels
of the tow vehicle to skid. On icy pavement, drive
slowly and, if you feel the tow vehicle skidding,
gently apply the trailer brakes only. This will bring
the tow vehicle and trailer back into a single line.
Chains do not help trailer wheels.
Off-Road Towing
When driving in mud and sand, let the momentum
carry the rig through� Apply power gently and use as
little as possible� Stay in the tracks of the vehicle ahead
and keep the tow vehicle in the highest possible gear� If
you get stuck, it is best to tow out the entire rig together
without unhitching�
When Being Passed
Despite the best hitch, you will notice that whenever
a large bus or truck overtakes your rig, the displaced
air first pushes the trailer rear slightly to the right and
then affects the front� It may be necessary to steer
very slightly, momentarily, toward the bus or truck to
help compensate for the sway induced by the passing
vehicle� Do not apply the vehicle brakes, as this
can tend to exaggerate the situation. You may find,
however, that briefly applying the trailer brakes with
your manual control will help eliminate sway�
On a two-lane road, cars may line up behind you
because you travel at a lower speed� It is both
courteous and sensible, if you are able, to signal, pull
onto the shoulder, and let them pass� Your trailer is
designed to be towed easily at any legal speed, so if
you are not careful, you may be inclined to forget it is
there�
Passing
On freeways or expressways, pick the lane you want
and try to stay in it� Always maintain plenty of space
between you and the car ahead, at least the length of
the tow vehicle plus trailer, for every ten miles per hour�
Remember that in order to pass another vehicle you
will need longer to accelerate� You must also allow for
the length of the trailer when returning to the right hand
lane�
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.