Lance 1130, Owner'S Manual

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Heavy Duty Flasher: A Heavy Duty Flasher is an
electrical component that may be required when your
trailer turn signal lights are attached to the tow vehicle
flasher circuit.
Electrical Connector: An Electrical Connector con-
nects the light and brake systems on the trailer to the
light and brake controls on the towing vehicle.
Heavy Duty Engine Oil Cooling System: The tow
vehicle engine works harder when a trailer is being
towed. Depending on the size of the trailer, you may
need to install a separate engine oil cooler. Inad-
equate cooling may result in sudden engine failure.
Ask the tow vehicle dealer if it is necessary to install a
heavy duty cooling system.
Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler: The automatic
transmission of a towing vehicle handles more power
when a trailer is being towed. Inadequate cooling will
shorten transmission life, and may result in sudden
transmission failure. Ask the tow vehicle dealer if it is
necessary to install a separate oil cooler for the auto-
matic transmission.
Fire Extinguisher: It is sensible to have a fire extin-
guisher in the tow vehicle.
Emergency Flares and Emergency Triangle
Reflectors:
It is wise to carry these warning devices
even if you are not towing a trailer. It is particularly
important to have these when towing a trailer be-
cause the hazard flashers of your towing vehicle will
not operate for as long a period of time when the bat-
tery is running both the trailer lights and tow vehicle
lights.
COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING THE TRAILER
A secure coupling (or fastening) of the trailer to the
tow vehicle is essential. A loss of coupling may result
in death or serious injury. Therefore, you must under-
stand and follow all of the instructions for coupling.
The following parts are involved in making a secure
coupling between the trailer and tow vehicle:
Coupling: That part of the trailer connecting mecha-
nism by which the connection is actually made to the
trailer hitch. The coupler size on bumper pull trailers
is 2” or 2 5/16”. This is stamped on the coupler.
Hitch: That part of the connecting mechanism in-
cluding the ball support platform and ball and those
components that extend and are attached to the
towing vehicle, including bumpers intended to serve
as hitches.
Safety Chains: Chains are permanently attached to
the trailer such that if the coupler connection comes
loose, the safety chains can keep the trailer attached
to the tow vehicle. With properly rigged safety chains,
it is possible to keep the tongue of the trailer from
digging into the road pavement, even if the coupler-
to-hitch connection comes apart.
Trailer Lighting (and braking) Connector: A device
that connects electrical power from the tow vehicle to
the trailer. Electricity is used to turn on brake lights,
running lights, and turn signals as required. In ad-
dition, if your trailer has a separate braking system,
the electrical connector will also supply power to the
trailer brakes from the tow vehicle.
Breakaway Switch: If the trailer becomes decoupled
from the towing vehicle, the breakaway switch lan-
yard, attached independently to the tow vehicle hitch,
will pull a pin in the emergency electrical breakaway
switch on the trailer. The breakaway switch is activat-
ed by a separate coupling to the tow vehicle battery
supply in the trailer such as to energize the trailer
brakes independently of the towing vehicle. It is im-
portant to check the state of charge of the emergency
breakaway battery before each trip. Simply pull the
pin out of the switch by hand and then try to pull the
trailer. If you feel a significant drag force the brakes
are activated. Be sure to re-insert the pin in the break-
away switch. Also be sure to allow enough slack in
the breakaway 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. The jack is called the “land-
ing gear” on 5th wheel trailers.
WARNING
An improperly coupled trailer can result in
death or serious injury.
Do not move the trailer until:
• The coupler is secured and locked
• The safety chains are secured to the tow
vehicle; and
• The trailer jacks are fully retracted
Do not tow the trailer on the road until:
• The trailer brakes are checked
• The breakaway switch is connected to the
tow vehicle
• The load is secured to the trailer; and
• The trailer lights are connected and
checked