allen TRTP275, Operations & Parts Manual

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09/2018 - 275 Page 39
SECTION 1
SAFETY
Before driving, make sure your vehicle maintenance and trailer maintenance are current. This is very important because
towing puts additional stress on the tow vehicle.
• Check and correct tire pressure on the tow vehicle and trailer, including the spare tire.
• Make sure the wheel lug nuts/bolts on the tow vehicle and trailer are tightened to the correct torque.
• Be sure the hitch, coupler, draw bar and other equipment that connect the trailer and the tow vehicle are properly secured
and adjusted.
• Make sure the safety chains are properly criss-crossed and connected, not touching the road but with enough slack to
make turns.
• Check that the wiring is properly connected; not touching the road, but loose enough to make turns without disconnecting
or damaging the wires.
• Make sure all running lights, brake lights, turn signals and hazard lights are working.
• Verify that the brakes on the tow vehicle and trailer are operating correctly.
• Ensure the breakaway system lanyard is connected to the tow vehicle but not to the safety chains or ball mount.
• Check that all items are securely fastened on and in the trailer.
• Be sure the trailer jack, tongue support and any attached stabilizers are raised and locked in place.
• Check load distribution to make sure the tow vehicle and trailer are properly balanced front to back and side to side.
• Check side and rear-view mirrors to make sure you have good visibility.
• Check routes and restrictions on bridges and tunnels.
• Make sure you have wheel chocks and jack stands.
• Match the maximum trailer weight allowed for the tow vehicle to the GVWR of the trailer.
• Match the hitch weight carrying capacity of the tow vehicle with the loaded tongue weight of the trailer. This is generally
10% of GVWR on tag models and 20% of GVWR on 5th wheels and Goosenecks. Tag models may require a weight distrib
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uting hitch with sway controls. Contact your hitch specialist to properly set up your tow vehicle/trailer combination.
• Match the size of the brake controller to the number of braking wheels on your trailer. These are sold usually as 2 to 4
wheel brake or 2 to 6 wheel brake units. For proper controller adjustment, see your brake controller manual.
• Match the wiring of the tow vehicle to the wiring code on the trailer. Ensure your tow vehicle does have a ground wire
running from the receptacle to the frame.
• Match the ball size to the coupler size.
• Match your Fifth Wheel or Gooseneck trailer to a correct and compatible hitch provided by your hitch specialist. Then
consult your hitch specialist for proper maintenance of the hitch assembly.
• Match your rear vehicle suspension to the loaded hitch weight of the rear axle of the tow vehicle. All marginal situations
should be corrected for safe trailering. Remember, you are the one that will be trying to control a large combination of
weight and size at high speeds. It is your responsibility to set up tow vehicle/trailer properly. Contact or confirm your set up
with a local hitch company professional.
Transportation Safety (cont’d)
Trailer Safety