FEATHERLITE TRAILERS Horse Trailer, Owner'S Manual

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Section 1 – Safety Information
R6 3/30/2017 Page 2
^ DANGER
Use of an under-rated hitch, ball or tow
vehicle can result in loss of control leading
to death or serious injury.
Make certain your hitch and tow vehicle are
rated for your trailer.
1.2.2 Driving Too Fast
With ideal road conditions, the maximum
recommended speed for safely towing a trailer is 60
mph. If you drive too fast, the trailer is more likely
to sway, thus increasing the possibility for loss of
control. Also your tires may overheat, thus
increasing the possibility of a blowout.
^ WARNING
Driving too fast for conditions can result in
loss of control and cause death or serious
injury.
Adjust speed down when towing trailer.
1.2.3 Failure to Adjust Driving Behavior
When Towing a Trailer
When towing a trailer, you will have decreased
acceleration, increased stopping distance, and
increased turning radius (which means you must
make wider turns to keep from hitting curbs,
vehicles, and anything else that is on the inside
corner). Furthermore, the trailer will change the
handling characteristics of your towing vehicle,
making it more sensitive to steering inputs and
more likely to be pushed around in windy
conditions or when being passed by large vehicles.
In addition, you will need a longer distance to pass,
due to slower acceleration and increased length.
With this in mind:
•
Be alert for slippery conditions. You are more
likely to be affected by slippery road surfaces
when driving a tow vehicle with a trailer, than
driving a tow vehicle without a trailer.
•
Anticipate the trailer “swaying.” Swaying can
be caused by excessive steering, wind gusts,
roadway edges, or by the trailer reaction to the
pressure wave created by passing trucks and
busses.
•
When encountering trailer sway, take your foot
off the accelerator, and steer as little as possible
in order to stay on the road. Use small “trim-
like” steering adjustments. Do not attempt to
steer out of the sway; you’ll only make it worse.
Also, do not apply the tow vehicle brakes to
correct trailer swaying. The application of the
trailer brakes alone will tend to straighten out
the combination, especially when going
downhill.
•
Check rearview mirrors frequently to observe
the trailer and traffic.
•
Use lower gear when driving down steep or
long grades. Use the engine and transmission
as a brake. Do not ride the brakes, as they can
overheat and become ineffective.
•
Be aware of your trailer height, especially when
approaching bridges, roofed areas and around
trees.
1.2.4 Improper Loading
The total weight of the load you put in or on the
trailer, plus the empty weight of the trailer itself,
must not exceed the trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). If you do not know the empty
weight of the trailer, you must measure it at a
commercial scale. In addition, you must distribute
the load in the trailer such that the load on any axle
does not exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). The GVWR and GAWR’s are listed on
the Certification / VIN label mounted on the front
left side of the trailer.
^ WARNING
An overloaded trailer can result in failure or
in loss of control of the trailer, leading to
death or serious injury.
Never load a trailer so that the weight on
any tire exceeds its rating.
Never exceed the trailer Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR).
Never exceed an axle Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR).
1.2.5 Trailer Not Properly Coupled to the
Hitch
It is critical that the trailer be securely coupled to
the hitch, and that the safety chains and emergency
breakaway brake lanyard are correctly attached.