Safety Information
Á
WARNING
Failure to follow all safety warnings may result in severe injury or death.
• Always adjust equipment and driving habits to match towing conditions. The driver is
responsible for their own safety and the safety of their passengers.
• Always check all hardware before each trip. Never tow your trailer until all bolts and nuts
have been checked for wear and fatigue, are properly tightened, and all pins and clips are
secured.
• Always load the trailer correctly. Follow the trailer and tow vehicle manufacturers’
recommendations for placement and quantity of cargo.
• Always use a hitch ball with a rating that equals or exceeds the trailer Gross Vehicle Weight
(GVW). Always use a hitch ball size that correctly matches your trailer coupler size and
make sure it is coupled securely before towing.
• Never cut, weld, grind, bend, or modify hitch components in any way.
• Never exceed the specified weight ratings for the trailer, tow vehicle, hitch, hitch ball, or any
other towing equipment.
• Never tow with your hitch adjusted incorrectly.
• Never tow with your hitch engaged on rough roads, through profound ditches and dips, or
while launching a boat. Excessive strain on the spring arms and hitch head may cause hitch
fatigue or failure.
• Never transfer your hitch to a different tow vehicle or trailer without adjusting the hitch for
proper setup and weight distribution.
• No hitch setup guarantees that trailer sway will be altogether avoided.
• Read, understand, and follow all safety warnings, setup, use, and maintenance instructions
of the trailer, tow vehicle, and hitch equipment before installing the hitch or towing your
trailer.
• Replace worn, faded, or unreadable warning stickers on the spring arms and arm sockets.
• The operator is responsible for making necessary adjustments to the hitch to optimize
weight distribution and sway control. Verify that the hitch is adjusted correctly after
loading the trailer and tow vehicle for each trip. The weight distribution setup and towing
performance should be evaluated by the operator and adjusted when necessary.
• Towing with a tongue weight that is not within 10 — 15% of your Gross Trailer Weight
(GTW) increases the likelihood for loss of vehicle control and/or equipment failure.
Á
CAUTION
•
Always
secure the tow vehicle and trailer with the parking brake and wheel chocks before
setting up or adjusting the hitch.
•
Disengage
weight distribution before towing or backing the trailer where there is a
significant transition in grade. For example, backing from a level street onto a driveway with
a steep uphill slope. Failure to disengage the hitch will put excessive strain on the trailer and
receiver hitch.
•
Never
loosen or remove any part of the hitch while the hitch is under load. Use the tongue
jack to take the tension off the spring arms before removing the L-pins.
Installation
Step 1 – Ready the Tow Vehicle and Trailer
Park the trailer and tow vehicle on flat, level ground and in line with each other. Chock the
trailer.
For accurate installation the
tow vehicle and trailer should be loaded
just as they will be
while traveling. This includes propane, water, ATVs, generators, and/or any other cargo that
the tow vehicle or trailer will carry.
Check and inflate all tires to their proper pressure.
Tow vehicle
auto-level systems should be disabled or turned off
temporarily. Auto
leveling and air suspension systems will decrease the amount of weight distribution provided
by the hitch after setup. See Appendix for more information.
Step 2 – Install the Hitch Ball
Tools needed:
• Torque wrench capable of 420 ft-lbs
• 1 7/8” Thin walled socket
Á
WARNING
Never exceed the specified weight ratings for the trailer, tow vehicle, hitch,
hitch ball, or any other towing equipment.
Select a ball with a 1” - 1 ¼” diameter threaded shank, no longer than 2 3/8”. The weight
rating must equal or exceed your trailer’s gross vehicle weight (GVW). Torque the nut to the
manufacturer’s specifications.
Fastway brand hitch balls should be tightened to 420 ft-lb with a 1 7/8” socket. Contact an
authorized e2 hitch dealership for service appointments and cost if you need help installing the
hitch ball.
Fastway Hitch Balls
Part Number Size Weight Rating
