Grand Design Solitude 2017, Owner'S Manual

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74
Towing & Leveling
Breakaway Switch
The breakaway switch is located by the FW pin box. It is a crucial
part of the RV braking system. If the RV becomes detached from
the tow vehicle, the lanyard pulls the pin from the breakaway
switch, which automatically activates the RV brakes..
• While hitching the RV, ALWAYS secure the breakaway
switch lanyard to a permanent part of the tow vehicle.
• Check that your auxiliary battery (customer supplied)
is correctly installed, and fully charged BEFORE travel.
An auxiliary battery (customer supplied) MUST be
installed to provide power to the breakaway switch.
Fifth Wheel (FW) Pin Box Hitch
Hitch selection is important because it affects the towing and
handling characteristics of your RV. There are many kinds of
hitches available for various uses and assuring that you have the
correct hitch installed is critical to a safe towing experience. The
factory installed FW pin box is not interchangeable.
Ask your dealer about the proper class and type of hitch you
need to purchase for your individual tow vehicle/RV combina-
tion. A FW requires a pin box hitch bolted directly to the floor of
the truck box through the frame. Before selecting a hitch, you
must know your GVWR and pin box rating.
Fifth wheel pin box height
There is no recommended hitch height for fifth wheels; usually
the FW pin box is adjustable for variance in trucks and truck
suspension systems. Adjust the hitch assembly so the tow
vehicle and the FW are essentially level. A high hitch will transfer
weight behind the axles and cause the vehicle to fishtail. A low
hitch will transfer additional weight to the hitch.
To adjust the weight distributing hitch to the proper height,
Please refer to the hitch manufacturer instructions.
The rating of the hitch
package purchased should
be equal to (or greater than)
the RV's GVWR and Pin Box
rating.
WARNING
NEVER use the breakaway
switch and trailer brake
system as a parking brake.
Doing so would create
a high amp draw on the
battery and converter.
This can cause non-
warranty damage to
wiring, connectors and the
breakaway switch.
WARNING
Be certain there is enough
“slack” in the lanyard
(cable) to accommodate
a tight radius turn. Failure
to do so may result in the
breakaway pins pulling out
of the housing causing the
brakes to engage while
towing. This could result in
significant damage.
WARNING
Do not remove the
following label from
the pin box:
SAFETY BREAK-AWAY
SWITCH WILL NOT OPERATE
unless connected to a power source
equivalent to or greater than an auto-
motive type 12 volt, 12 amp hour wet-
cell battery.