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Allow plenty of stopping space for your trailer and tow vehicle.
•
Do not drive so fast that the trailer begins to sway due to speed. Never drive faster than
60mph.
•
Allow plenty of room for passing. A rule of thumb is that passing distance with a trailer
is four times the passing distance without a trailer.
•
Shift your automatic transmission into lower gear for city driving.
•
Use lower gears for climbing and descending grades.
•
Do not ride the brakes while descending grades; they may get so hot that they will stop
working. Then you will potentially have a runaway tow vehicle and trailer.
•
To conserve fuel, don’t use full throttle to climb a hill. Instead, build speed on the
approach.
•
Slow down for bumps in the road. Take your foot off the brake when crossing the bump.
•
Do not brake while in a curve unless absolutely necessary. Instead, slow down before
you enter the curve and power through the curve. Therefore, the towing vehicle
remains “in charge.”
•
Do not apply the brakes to correct extreme trailer swaying. Continued pulling of the
trailer, and even slight acceleration, will provide a stabilizing force.
•
Make regular stops, about once each hour. Confirm that:
The coupler is secure to the hitch and is locked.
Electrical connectors are made.
There is appropriate slack in the breakaway switch pull pin cable.
The tires are not visibly low on pressure.
Your cargo is secure and in good condition.
2.
COUPLING TO THE TOW VEHICLE
2.1
USE AN ADEQUATE TOW VEHICLE AND HITCH
If the vehicle or hitch is not properly selected and matched to the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) of your trailer, you can cause an accident that could lead to death or serious injury. If
you already have a tow vehicle, know your vehicle tow rating and make certain your trailer
rating is equal to or less than that of the tow vehicle. If you already have (or plan to buy) a
trailer, make certain that the tow rating of the tow vehicle is equal to or greater than that of
the trailer. If towing a gooseneck or fifth wheel trailer it is also very important to make certain
the bed of your truck is long enough to clear the trailer during turning maneuvers.
DANGER
Use a hitch with a load rating less than the load rating of the trailer can result in loss
of control and may lead to death or serious injury.
Use of a tow vehicle with a towing capacity less than the load rating of the trailer can
result in loss of control, and may lead to death or serious injury.
Be sure your hitch and tow vehicle are rated for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of
your trailer.
Summary of Contents for Gooseneck
Page 1: ...Owner sManual ...
