DRY PRIME PUMP — OPERATION AND PARTS MANUAL — REV. #3 (10/06/08) — PAGE 35
TRAILER SAFETY INFORMATION
Safety precautions should be followed at all times when
operating this equipment. Failure to read, understand and
follow the Operating Instructions could result in injury to
yourself and others. Loss of control of the trailer or tow ve-
hicle can result in death or serious injury.
Common Causes for Loss of Trailer
■
Driving too fast for the conditions (maximum speed
when towing a trailer is 60 m.p.h.).
■
Overloading the trailer or loading the trailer unevenly
■
Trailer improperly coupled to the hitch
■
No braking on trailer
■
Not maintaining proper tire pressure
■
Not keeping lug nuts tight
■
Not properly maintaining the trailer structure.
Trailer Towing Guidelines
■
Recheck the load tiedowns to make sure the load will
not shift during towing.
■
Before towing, check coupling, safety chain, safety
brake, tires, wheels and lights.
■
Check the lug nuts or bolts for tightness.
■
Check coupler tightness after towing 50 miles
.
■
Adjust the brake controller to engage the trailer brakes
before the tow vehicle brakes. Your dealer can assist
you by making this adjustment.
■
Use your mirrors to verify that you have room to change
lanes or pull into traffic.
■
Use your turn signals well in advance. Allow plenty of
stopping space for your trailer and tow vehicle.
■
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.
■
Allow plenty of room for passing. A rule of thumb is that
the passing distance with a trailer is 4 times the passing
distance without the trailer.
■
Shift your automatic transmission into a lower gear for
city driving.
TRAILER SAFETY GUIDELINES
■
ALWAYS
use lower gears for climbing and descending
grades.
■
DO NOT
ride the brakes while descending grades, they
may get so hot that they 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. This way, 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.
■
Anticipate the trailer “swaying.” Swaying is the trailer
reaction to the air pressure wave caused by passing
trucks and busses. Continued pulling of the trailer
provides a stabilizing force to correct swaying.
DO NOT
apply the brakes to correct trailer swaying.
■
Use lower gear when driving down steep or long grades.
Use the engine and transmission as a brake. Do not
ride the brakes, as they can overheat and become
ineffective.
■
Be aware of your trailer height, especially when
approaching roofed areas and around trees.
■
Make regular stops, about once each hour. Confirm that:
A. Coupler is secure to the hitch and is locked.
B. Electrical connectors are made.
C. There is appropriate slack in the safety chains.
D. There is appropriate slack in the breakaway
switch pullpin cable.
E. Tires are not visibly low on pressure
Driving too fast for severe road conditions can
result in loss of control and cause death or serious
injury.
Decrease your speed as road, weather and lighting
conditions deteriorate.
ALWAYS
check for local trailer-tow speed limits in
your area.
WARNING - Drive Safely
