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Section 3 - Coupling To The Tow Vehicle
R6 3/30/2017
Page 32
If you do not use your trailer for three or more
months, or during winter months:
•
Store the battery indoors; and
•
Charge the battery every three months.
Replace the breakaway brake battery according to
the intervals specified by the battery manufacturer.
3.2.1.g Connect the Electrical Cables
Connect the trailer lights to the tow vehicle's
electrical system using the electrical connectors.
•
Check all lights for proper operation.
•
Clearance and Running Lights (Turn on
tow vehicle headlights).
•
Brake Lights (Step on tow vehicle brake
pedal).
•
Turn Signals (Operate tow vehicle
directional signal lever).
•
Check electric brakes for proper operation
using brake controller mounted in the cab.
If your trailer has electric brakes, your tow vehicle
will have an electric brake controller that sends
power to the trailer brakes. Before towing the
trailer on the road, you must operate the brake
controller while trying to pull the trailer in order to
confirm that the electric brakes operate. While
towing the trailer at less than 5 m.p.h., manually
operate the electric brake controller in the tow
vehicle cab. You should feel the operation of the
trailer brakes.
^ WARNING
Failure to connect the tow vehicle lighting
and braking to the trailer will result in
inoperable lights and brakes, and can lead
to collision.
Check that all the trailer lights and brakes
work before each tow.
3.2.1.h Uncoupling the Ball Hitch Trailer
Follow these steps to uncouple your ball hitch
trailer from the tow vehicle:
•
Block trailer tires to prevent the trailer from
rolling, before jacking the trailer up.
•
Disconnect the electrical connector.
•
Disconnect the breakaway brake switch
lanyard.
•
Disconnect the safety chains from the tow
vehicle.
•
Unlock the coupler and open it.
•
Before extending jack, make certain the ground
surface below the jack pad will support the
tongue load.
•
Rotate the jack handle (or crank) clockwise.
This will slowly extend the jack and transfer
the weight of the trailer tongue to the jack.
3.2.2 Trailer with Gooseneck Coupler and
Drop-Leg Jack
A gooseneck coupler on the trailer connects to a
gooseneck ball that you must have installed in the
bed of the tow vehicle. This system of coupling a
trailer to a tow vehicle permits the tow vehicle to
turn to sharper angles than are permitted by a
bumper hitch system. A gooseneck coupler consists
of a tube in an inverted “U” shape and a gooseneck
ball receiver. Figure 3-9 shows a trailer with a
gooseneck coupler.
Trailer with Gooseneck Coupler – Figure 3-9
We have utilized a Gooseneck ball receiver that is
suitable for the size and weight of the trailer. The
load rating of the coupler and the necessary ball size
are listed on the gooseneck.
You must provide a gooseneck ball and support
structure that is marked with a rating that meets or
exceeds the GVW Rating of your trailer
and
matches the size of the gooseneck ball receiver. If
the gooseneck ball is too small, is underrated, is
loose or is worn, the trailer can come loose from the
tow vehicle, and may lead to death or serious injury.
THE TOW VEHICLE, SUPPORT STRUCTURE
AND GOOSENECK BALL MUST HAVE A
RATED TOWING CAPACITY EQUAL TO OR
Summary of Contents for Horse Trailer
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