9
Important Trailer Safety Information
Tow Vehicles
WARNING: Serious injury or property damage can
result if the total weight of your loaded trailer exceeds
the capacity of the hitch and/or your tow vehicle.
AVERTISSEMENT: Des blessures graves ou de
dommages à la propriété peuvent survenir sir le poids
total de la remorque chargée excède la capacité de
l'attelage et/ou du véhicule
remorqueur
.
It is very important that you know and understand the
towing capabilities of your tow vehicle. This is especially
true with the braking abilities of the tow vehicle. You
should check with your authorized dealer to see what the
capabilities are for the total towing load and the maximum
allowable tongue weight for the vehicle you plan on using
for towing.
It is also important that the lighting system in the tow
vehicle has sufficient capacity support the additional load
the trailer lighting will add to the system. A heavy duty
flasher may be required to make your turn signals function
properly.
Trailer Ball & Couplers
WARNING: Failure to properly engage the hitch ball in
the coupler ball socket and securely lock the coupler
latch mechanism can cause the trailer to become
detached from the tow vehicle while traveling, which
may cause serious injury or property damage.
AVERTISSEMENT: Le non-respect d'engager
correctement la boule d'attache dans la cavité de la
boule de l'attelage et de verrouiller solidement le
mécanisme du loquet de l'attelage pourrait mener la
remorque à se détacher du véhicule remorqueur
pendant le déplacement, ce qui pourrait causer des
blessures graves ou des dommages à la propriété
Ball diameter for which rating (GVWR) shall not exceed
the gross trailer weight marked on the trailer coupler.
The hitch balls have the rated load they are capable of
towing stamped Into the top of the ball.
Make sure the ball that you use to tow your trailer has the
same capacity rating as the coupler.
Do not use a different size ball than the size the coupler is
designed to use.
Hitch Coupler Troubleshooting
If the coupler becomes damaged it must be repaired or
replaced before towing. When the coupler is placed on the
ball, the latch should close firmly. Keep the latch
mechanism lightly oiled and clean. Items to check for are
as follows:
1. Latch does not grasp ball securely:
•
Check the ball size. Make sure the ball and
coupler are the same size.
2. Latch does not snap into full latch position:
•
Check adjustment. Latch mechanism may be too
tight.
•
Check to see that the coupler housing has not
been damaged, keeping the ball hitch from fitting
completely into the housing as designed.
3. Keep the tongue blocked up when not in use so the
coupler and mechanism are not in the ground being
exposed to dirt and moisture.
4. Apply a small amount of an automotive grease to the
ball before hitching coupler to prevent wear of the two
parts during towing.
5. Make sure the latch safety pin is in position before
towing.
Coupler & Ball Engagement
If the coupler and towing ball resist attempts to make
engagement, do not force latch assembly. Instead, check
the ball diameter to verify that it conforms to Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE) specifications. Standard two-
inch diameter ball should be within the limits of 2.000-
inches to 1.970-inches. Balls larger than 2.000- inches will
not readily fit the coupler. A two-piece coupler ball is not
recommended.
If the coupler becomes damaged it must be repaired or
replaced before towing. When the coupler is placed on the
ball, the latch should close firmly. Keep the latch
mechanism lightly oiled and clean.
Improper engagement of the coupler and ball can cause
damage if the vehicles separate in transit, thus, caution
must be exercised to insure a secure hook-up. Lower the
coupler onto the ball with the coupler latch in the vertical
position. Continue to lower the trailer tongue until the jack
clears the ground, then flip the coupler latch to its locked
(horizontal) position. At this point visually observe that the
ball is fully engaged in the ball hitch. An even better check
to make sure the two are fully engaged is to raise the
tongue of the trailer again using the jack. Raise until the
ball hitch connection starts to raise the rear of the tow
vehicle. If the connection was not properly made, the ball
and socket will separate as the tongue of the trailer is
raised.
Class
Coupler
Ball Diameter
II
3,500# GVWR
2”
III
5,000# GVWR
2”
IV
8,000# GVWR
2”
Karcher HDS 3.5/40 GE MT Operator’s Manual 9.807-942.0 - C
