FEATHERLITE TRAILERS COACH TRAILERS, Owner'S Manual

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Table Of Contents
R4 3/30/2017 Page ii
1 SAFETY INFORMATION ....................................... 1
1.1 S
AFETY
A
LERT
S
YMBOLS AND
S
IGNAL
W
ORDS
.... 1
1.2 M
AJOR
H
AZARDS
................................................. 1
1.2.1 Improper Sizing of the Trailer to the Tow
Vehicle. ............................................................ 1
1.2.2 Driving Too Fast ............................................. 2
1.2.3 Failure to Adjust Driving Behavior When
Towing a Trailer ............................................. 2
1.2.4 Improper Loading ........................................... 2
1.2.5 Trailer Not Properly Coupled to the Hitch ..... 3
1.2.6 Proper Use of Safety Chains ........................... 3
1.2.7 Proper Connection of Breakaway Brake......... 3
1.2.8 Matching Trailer and Hitch ............................ 3
1.2.9 Worn Tires, Loose Wheels and Lug Nuts ........ 4
1.2.10 Weight And Load Distribution ........................ 5
1.2.11 Shifting Cargo ................................................. 5
1.2.12 Inappropriate Cargo ....................................... 5
1.2.13 Inoperable Brakes, Lights or Mirrors ............. 6
1.2.14 Hazards From Modifying Your Trailer ........... 6
1.2.15 Hazards from Accessories ............................... 6
1.2.16 Generator ........................................................ 7
1.2.17 Shore Power .................................................... 7
1.2.18 Trailer Towing Guide ...................................... 7
1.2.19 Safe Trailer Towing Guidelines ...................... 8
1.2.20 Safety Warning Labels on Your Trailer .......... 9
1.2.21. Reporting Safety Defects ............................... 10
2 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION ........................... 11
2.1 T
RAILER
T
IRE
I
NFORMATION
.............................. 11
2.2 S
TEPS FOR
D
ETERMINING
C
ORRECT
L
OAD
L
IMIT
–
T
RAILER
............................................................. 12
2.2.1 Trailers 10,000 Pounds GVWR or Less ........ 12
2.2.2 Trailers Over 10,000 Pounds GVWR ............ 13
2.3 S
TEPS FOR
D
ETERMINING
C
ORRECT
L
OAD
L
IMIT
–
T
OW
V
EHICLE
.................................................... 13
2.4 G
LOSSARY
O
F
T
IRE
T
ERMINOLOGY
.................... 13
2.5 T
IRE
S
AFETY
- E
VERYTHING
R
IDES
O
N
I
T
.......... 16
2.5.1 Safety First–Basic Tire Maintenance ............ 16
2.5.2 Finding Your Vehicle's Recommended Tire
Pressure and Load Limits ............................. 17
2.5.3 Understanding Tire Pressure and Load Limits17
2.5.4 Checking Tire Pressure ................................. 17
2.5.5 Steps for Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure . 17
2.5.6 Tire Size ......................................................... 18
2.5.7 Tire Tread ..................................................... 18
2.5.8 Tire Balance and Wheel Alignment ............... 18
2.5.9 Tire Repair .................................................... 18
2.5.10 Tire Fundamentals ........................................ 18
2.5.10.a Information on Passenger Vehicle Tires ...... 18
2.5.10.b UTQGS Information .................................... 19
2.5.10.c Information on Light Truck (LT) Tires ........ 19
2.5.10.d Information on Special Trailer (ST) Tires.... 20
2.5.11 Tire Safety Tips ............................................. 20
3 COUPLING TO THE TOW VEHICLE ................ 21
3.1 U
SE AN
A
DEQUATE
T
OW
V
EHICLE AND
H
ITCH
... 21
3.1.1 Trailer Information ....................................... 21
3.1.2 Tow Vehicle .................................................. 22
3.2 C
OUPLING AND
U
NCOUPLING THE
T
RAILER
........ 23
3.2.1 Trailer With Ball Hitch Coupler ................... 24
3.2.1.a Before Coupling the Trailer to the Tow Vehicle
..................................................................... 24
3.2.1.b Prepare the Coupler and Hitch..................... 25
3.2.1.c Couple Trailer to the Tow Vehicle .............. 25
3.2.2 Trailer With Ring And Pintle Coupler .......... 26
3.2.2.a Before Coupling the Trailer to the Tow Vehicle
..................................................................... 26
3.2.2.b Prepare the Ring and Pintle ......................... 27
3.2.2.c Couple Trailer to the Tow Vehicle: ............. 27
3.2.3 Rig The Safety Chains ................................... 28
3.2.4 Attach and Test the Breakaway Brake System28
3.2.5 Connect the Electrical Cables ...................... 29
3.2.6 Uncoupling the Trailer ................................. 29
4 LOADING THE TRAILER .................................... 31
4.1 C
HECKING
T
ONGUE
W
EIGHT
.............................. 31
4.2 L
OADING
C
ARGO
............................................... 32
4.2.1 Couple the Trailer to the Coach ................... 32
4.2.2 Preparing the Trailer for Loading ................ 32
4.2.3 Inspect the Lift .............................................. 33
4.2.4 Loading the Coach Trailer ........................... 33
5 CHECKING THE TRAILER BEFORE AND
DURING EACH TOW ..................................................... 35
5.1 P
RE
-
TOW
C
HECKLIST
......................................... 35
5.2 M
AKE
R
EGULAR
S
TOPS
...................................... 35
6 BREAKING-IN A NEW TRAILER ...................... 36
6.1 R
ETIGHTEN
L
UG
N
UTS AT
F
IRST
10, 25 & 50 M
ILES
.
.......................................................................... 36
6.2 A
DJUST
B
RAKE
S
HOES AT
F
IRST
200 M
ILES
(A
XLES
R
ATED
8000 L
BS AND
B
ELOW WITH
H
YDRAULIC
B
RAKES
AND
ALL A
XLES WITH
A
IR
B
RAKES
) .............................. 36
6.3 S
YNCHRONIZING THE
B
RAKE
S
YSTEMS
.............. 36
6.4 T
IRE
P
RESSURE
.................................................. 36
7 ACCESSORIES ....................................................... 37
7.1 C
ARBON
M
ONOXIDE
.......................................... 37
7.2 A
CCESSORY
B
ATTERY
....................................... 37
7.3 S
HORE
P
OWER
................................................... 37
7.4 E
LECTRIC
-
POWERED
L
ANDING
G
EAR
................. 38
7.4.1 Electric-Powered Hydraulic Jack ................. 38
7.4.2 Electric-Powered Mechanical Jack .............. 38
7.5 E
LECTRIC
-
POWERED LIFT
................................... 38
7.5.1 Electric-Powered Jack-Screw Lift ................ 38
7.5.2 Electric-Powered Cable Lift ......................... 39
8 INSPECTION, SERVICE & MAINTENANCE ... 40
8.1 I
NSPECTION
, S
ERVICE
& M
AINTENANCE
S
UMMARY
C
HARTS
............................................................. 40
8.2 I
NSPECTION AND
S
ERVICE
I
NSTRUCTIONS
.......... 41
8.2.1 Axle Bolts, Frame, Suspension, & Structure . 41
8.2.2 Trailer Structure ........................................... 42
8.2.2.a Fasteners and Frame Members .................... 42
8.2.2.b Welds ........................................................... 42