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Before attempting to hitch up your trailer, read the instructions provided by the hitch
manufacturer. Your trailer coupler is built for a 2-5/16” hitch ball. Your hitch ball must be this
size.
The following instructions are usable in most cases. If the instructions provided with your hitch
deviate from these instructions, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
1)
Turn the tongue jack crank clockwise to raise the tongue and coupler. Raise the tongue
sufficiently to clear the hitch ball on the tow vehicle.
2)
Back the tow vehicle until the hitch ball is under the hitch ball socket. If you are working
alone, a backing aide mirror may be helpful.
NOTE: Practice!! In time, it becomes more of
a sense than a science. After many tries, it gets easier to “sense” how far and which way to
turn.”
3)
Be sure the coupler latch locking lever is fully open. Lower the tongue jack until the ball is
firmly seated in the socket. Close the coupler latch and secure it with a locking pin or bolt.
4)
Raise the tow vehicle and trailer with the tongue jack high enough to allow room to install
the weight distributing hitch spring bars.
5)
Attach the spring bars according to the weight distributing hitch manufacturer’s instructions.
6)
After adjusting the spring bars, lower the tongue jack, remove the dolly wheel or foot, and
fully retract the jack. Note: the trailer must be relatively level, front to back. Any tilt must
be very slight. Do not overload the torsion bars, as the trailer may become extremely
unstable at road speeds.
7)
Install the sway control system according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
8)
Connect the safety chains of the trailer to the tow vehicle. Loop each chain through a
suitable attachment eye on the tow vehicle. To adjust the chain length, insert the chain quick
7-pin electcoupler through an appropriate chain link.
9)
Connect the breakaway switch lanyard to an attachment eye on the tow vehicle. Be sure the
breakaway switch lanyard is adjusted so the switch is not activated during a full “jackknife”
turn.
10)
Plug the trailer electrical cord into the matching tow vehicle socket.
11)
Run an operational check of stop lights and turn on indicators, running lights and electrical
brakes before driving.
NOTE: For my connection, I count one pin for the hitch lock and two more for the sway control
system (distribution bars). I then count 7 connections: 2 chains, 1 brake-away cable, 1 seven-
pin electrical connection, two distribution bars and where the tongue fits over the ball. When we
get ready to leave, my wife asks, “All seven?” and then “Tow-mode?”
WARNING!
Never attach safety chains to the hitch ball or any removable part of the hitch.
Do not connect the breakaway switch lanyard to the hitch ball or any removable part of the hitch.
Note: a
(6 or 12-volt)
battery must be installed in the system in order for the system to operate.
Summary of Contents for T2801
Page 2: ...BIGFOOT TRAILER MANUAL DRAFT 8 APRIL 3 2008 ...
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