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CAUTION

Extreme cold weather can degrade battery
performance and cause brakes to not 
operate properly. 

Check battery charge level before towing.

Do not tow trailer if the battery requires recharging. A 
discharged brake battery will not activate the brakes if 
the trailer uncouples from the tow vehicle. The battery 
must be fully charged before towing trailer.

To test the breakaway brake battery, remove the 
pullpin from the switch and attempt to pull the trailer 
forward. You should feel the trailer resisting being 
towed, but the wheels will not necessarily be locked. If 
the brakes do not function, do not tow the trailer until 
brakes, or battery, are repaired.

Immediately replace the pullpin. The breakaway 
brake battery discharges rapidly when the pullpin is 
removed.

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WARNING

An ineffective breakaway brake system can 
result in a runaway trailer, leading to death 
or serious injury if the coupler fails.

Test the function of the breakaway brake 
system before towing trailer. Do not tow 
trailer if breakaway brake system is not 
working; have it serviced or repaired.

Connect breakaway lanyard to the tow 
vehicle, NOT to the safety chain, ball, 
pintle, hitch, or support.

Do not tow the trailer with the breakaway brake 
system ON because the brakes will overheat which 
can result in permanent brake failure.

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WARNING

Failure to replace the pullpin can result 
in ineffective brakes, leading to loss of 
control, serious injury or death.

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 specifi ed by battery manufacturer.

4.3.5.3  Test Surge Brakes (If Equipped)

Hydraulic surge actuator systems provide automatic 
and smooth trailer braking without special application 
by the tow vehicle driver. While this is extremely 
convenient it can sometimes be diffi cult to determine 
if the surge setup is functioning properly. The 
following steps provide a quick fi eld-test to confi rm 
that the trailer brake system is operational.

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WARNING

The fi eld-test procedure indicates only if 
the trailer brake system is functional, but 
DOES NOT provide information on how 
effi ciently it will operate.

Regular inspection, maintenance,  
and adjustment of all brake system 
components (including the surge actuator, 
tubing, hoses, brake clusters, drums, and 
associated hardware/support structure) 
are still required to ensure maximum brake 
performance and smooth, even brake 
operation.

Move the trailer to fl at, level ground, pulling 
FORWARD several feet before parking. This 
forward motion will ensure trailers equipped with 
free-backing brakes are in their normal operating 
mode. Disconnect the trailer from the tow vehicle 
and jack up the trailer’s tongue until it is horizontal. 
Hook the trailer’s safety chains (NOT the actuator’s 
breakaway cable) together to form a loop, which is 
centered below the actuator’s coupler. Place wheel 
chock blocks two feet behind the trailer to prevent a 
runaway trailer.

Place a sturdy board, such as a 2 inch by 4 inch 
piece of lumber, into the chain loop below the coupler. 
The board should be 4 feet or longer so it will extend 
several feet above the actuator. Keep the end of the 
board a few inches off the ground, and position it to 
press against the front end of the actuator’s coupler. 
Press the board towards the rear of the trailer. 

Keep pressing the top of the board to stroke the 
actuator and its internal master cylinder. If the trailer 
brake system is operational, the brakes will apply and 

Coupling To Tow Vehicle

Summary of Contents for Enclosed Trailer

Page 1: ...s safety information and instructions for your trailer You must read this manual before loading or towing your trailer You must follow all safety precautions and instructions Bumper Pull Trailers Apri...

Page 2: ...ing Safety Defects 16 3 Tire Safety Information 17 3 1 Trailer Tire Information 17 3 2 Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit Trailer 18 3 2 1 Trailers 10 000 Pounds GVWR Or Less 18 3 2 2 Trailers O...

Page 3: ...ins 30 4 3 4 Connect Electrical Cable 31 4 3 5 Attach Breakaway Brake Lanyard 31 4 3 5 1 Test Electric Brakes 31 4 3 5 2 Test Electric Breakaway Brakes 31 4 3 5 3 Test Surge Brakes If Equipped 32 4 3...

Page 4: ...9 2 2 3 Electric Brakes 46 9 2 2 4 Tow Vehicle Operated Electric Brakes 46 9 2 2 5 Electric Brake Magnets 46 9 2 3 Trailer Brakes Surge If Equipped 46 9 2 3 1 Surge Brake Master Cylinder 46 9 2 3 2 H...

Page 5: ...lease have the VIN number available for the dealer The VIN number is normally on the front left side of the trailer For future reference please write your VIN number in the space below _______________...

Page 6: ...property 2 2 Major Hazards Loss of control of the trailer or trailer tow vehicle combination can result in death or serious injury The most common causes for loss of control of the trailer are Improp...

Page 7: ...oad 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...

Page 8: ...e system If the breakaway brake system is not working do not tow the trailer Have it serviced or repaired 2 2 7 Matching Trailer And Hitch DANGER Be sure hitch and tow vehicle are rated for the Gross...

Page 9: ...us injury WARNING Wheel nuts or bolts are prone to loosen after being first assembled Death or serious injury can result Check wheel nuts or bolts for tightness on a new trailer and after re mounting...

Page 10: ...iler is evenly loaded left right Towing stability also depends on keeping the center of gravity as low as possible WARNING Improper tongue weight load distribution can result in loss of control of the...

Page 11: ...ric brakes and all of the lights on your trailer are functioning properly before towing the trailer Electric brakes and lights on a trailer are controlled via a connection to the tow vehicle generally...

Page 12: ...l clockwise with your hands at the bottom of the wheel will move the rear of the trailer to the left while backing up Be careful not to allow the trailer to turn too much because it will hit the rear...

Page 13: ...13 2 2 17 Safety Warning Labels On Your Trailer Depending on trailer configuration your trailer may not be equipped with all safety labels shown Safety...

Page 14: ...14 Safety...

Page 15: ...ect you and others against death or serious injury all applicable labels shown must be on the trailer and must be legible If any of these labels are missing or cannot be read contact your dealer for r...

Page 16: ...estigation and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles it may order a recall and remedy campaign However NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you your dea...

Page 17: ...It is actually better for the tire to be rolling down the road than to be idle During use the tire releases lubricants that are beneficial to tire life Using the trailer tires often also helps preven...

Page 18: ...y in all cases It is best to have your tires inspected by a tire supplier to determine if your tires need to be replaced If you are storing your trailer for an extended period make sure the tires are...

Page 19: ...l rubber which when inflated bears the load Chunking The breaking away of pieces of the tread or sidewall Cold inflation pressure The pressure in the tire before you drive Cord The strands forming the...

Page 20: ...ember which can be mounted on a vehicle Normal occupant weight This means 68 kilograms 150 lbs times the number of occupants specified in the second column of Table I of 49 CFR 571 110 Occupant distri...

Page 21: ...ct you and others from avoidable breakdowns and accidents Improve fuel economy Increase the life of your tires This booklet presents a comprehensive overview of tire safety including information on th...

Page 22: ...hicle s design load limit that is the greatest amount of weight a vehicle can safely carry and the vehicle s tire size The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is referred to as the recommended cold...

Page 23: ...ions spaced intermittently in the bottom of the tread grooves When they appear even with the outside of the tread it is time to replace your tires Another method for checking tread depth is to place a...

Page 24: ...a recall Tire Ply Composition and Materials Used The number of plies indicates the number of layers of rubber coated fabric in the tire In general the greater the number of plies the more weight a ti...

Page 25: ...venting Tire Damage Slow down if you have to go over a pothole or other object in the road Do not run over curbs or other foreign objects in the roadway and try not to strike the curb when parking Tir...

Page 26: ...port It is the lowest of axle wheel or tire rating Sometimes the tire or wheel rating is lower than the axle manufacturers rating and will then determine GAWR The sum total of the GAWR for all trailer...

Page 27: ...brake lanyard such that the switch will only activate pin pulls out if the coupler connection comes loose Jack A device on the trailer that is used to raise and lower the trailer tongue WARNING An imp...

Page 28: ...face of the coupler to be above the top of the hitch ball 4 3 1 2 Prepare Coupler And Hitch 1 Lubricate hitch ball and inside of coupler with a thin layer of automotive bearing grease 2 Remove safety...

Page 29: ...4 3 2 1 Before Coupling Trailer To Tow Vehicle 1 Be sure the size and rating of pintle match the size and rating of the ring Hitch ring and pintles are marked with their size and rating WARNING Ring t...

Page 30: ...the tongue jack to raise the tow vehicle more than 1 inch 5 If the ring cannot be secured to the pintle do not tow the trailer Contact your dealer for assistance 6 Lower the trailer so that its entire...

Page 31: ...out before all of the slack in the safety chains is taken up Do not connect the lanyard to a safety chain hitch ball or hitch ball assembly This would keep the breakaway brake system from operating w...

Page 32: ...Surge Brakes If Equipped Hydraulic surge actuator systems provide automatic and smooth trailer braking without special application by the tow vehicle driver While this is extremely convenient it can s...

Page 33: ...jack pad will support the tongue load 7 Rotate jack handle to extend the jack and transfer the weight of the trailer tongue to the jack 8 Raise the trailer coupler above the tow vehicle hitch 9 Drive...

Page 34: ...d so that the trailer when loaded to rated capacity is level while connected to the tow vehicle A level trailer allows equal weight distribution on the axles Your dealer or a trailer service center ca...

Page 35: ...35 Coupling To Tow Vehicle...

Page 36: ...distribution and proper tongue weight The total weight of the trailer and its contents must never exceed the total weight rating of the trailer Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or GVWR Do not transport peo...

Page 37: ...he trailer is equipped with ventilation openings do not block these openings WARNING Accumulation of hazardous fumes can cause death or serious injury Do not block access to ventilation openings 5 Sec...

Page 38: ...unload cargo from trailer 7 Trailer Equipped With Removable Ramps Remove ramps and place in storage position Secure ramps to trailer Trailer Equipped With Drop Ramp Door Carefully raise ramp door Latc...

Page 39: ...upling To Tow Vehicle section of this manual Test Tail Stop and Turn Lights Test trailer brakes Safety breakaway lanyard fastened to tow vehicle not to safety chains See Coupling To Tow Vehicle sectio...

Page 40: ...es are fitted with a mechanism that will automatically adjust the brake shoes Read your axle and brake manual to see if your brakes adjust automatically If you do not have the axle and brake manual co...

Page 41: ...may be equipped with an accessory battery The battery may be kept charged either by the tow vehicle by an auxiliary charger or by using an on board battery maintainer charger if equipped If the traile...

Page 42: ...ion Check master cylinder level Section 4 Section 9 Shoes And Drums Adjust Section 9 Safety Chains And Hooks Check for wear damage Section 4 Coupler And Hitch Ball Check for cracks pits and flats Repl...

Page 43: ...Inspect tread and sidewalls thoroughly Replace tire when treads are worn when sidewall has a bulge or sidewall is worn Rotate every 5 000 Miles Section 9 Section 9 Section 9 Brakes Electric Surge Che...

Page 44: ...at top See Jack Mfr s Manual Structure Frame Members Welds Inspect all frame members bolts rivets Repair or replace damaged worn or broken parts Inspect all welds Repair as needed Section 9 Section 9...

Page 45: ...the repair done by your dealer WARNING Broken or damaged fasteners can cause injury or damage to trailer and contents Inspect for and repair all damaged parts at least once a year 9 2 1 2 Welds All we...

Page 46: ...trailer brakes if the trailer uncouples from the tow vehicle Be sure to check maintain and replace the battery according to the battery manufacturer s instructions Your trailer may use the hydraulic s...

Page 47: ...cked so that the trailer will not roll away 2 Fill the master cylinder with correct fluid 3 Install a bleeder hose on the bleeder screw of the farthest wheel cylinder from the actuator If the trailer...

Page 48: ...sent use a grease gun to lubricate the jack mechanism Grease the gears in the top of hand cranked jacks once a year by removing the top of the jack and pumping or hand packing grease into the gears 9...

Page 49: ...ubber plug from the axle end 2 Place grease gun on zerk 3 Pump grease until new grease begins to appear Use a different color grease each time so you will know when the new grease begins to appear 4 I...

Page 50: ...accurate torque readings Over tightening will result in breaking the studs or permanently deforming the mounting stud holes in the wheels and will void the axle warranty See your axle manufacturers ma...

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