Teardrop Campers • nucamprv.com
16
nucamprv.com • Teardrop Campers
17
When your hitch is mounted to your tow vehicle, your travel trailer must
be level. If necessary, purchase a hitch with adjustable height for your
tow vehicle so that your trailer is pulling level to the ground behind
your vehicle.
• A high hitch will accent weight behind the axle and may cause sway
or fishtailing.
• A low hitch will add extra tongue weight and extra weight to the
front axle.
SAFETY CHAINS
To be effective, safety chains must:
• Be in good condition and properly connected to the tow vehicle.
• Be fastened to the frame of the tow vehicle. Do not fasten to ball
or hitch!
• Cross each other under the hitch and twisted for minimum slack to
allow for turns.
• Be able to hold tongue off the ground if the trailer should uncouple
for any reason.
Safety chains are provided on bumper pull trailers so that control of
the trailer can still be maintained if the trailer comes loose from the tow
vehicle. If the safety chains and emergency breakaway brake lanyard are
incorrectly attached, the result can be extensive trailer and tow vehicle
damage, serious injury and even death.
BREAKAWAY SWITCH
Your trailer is equipped with a system that will apply the brakes in
emergencies where the trailer uncouples from the towing vehicle.
When hooking up the breakaway system:
• Connect the breakaway switch lanyard to a permanent part of the
tow vehicle.
• DO NOT connect the lanyard to the safety chains, hitch, or ball.
• Make sure the auxiliary battery, equipped on your trailer, is correctly
installed, fully charged and in good working condition. Your system
will not work without the battery hooked up for power.
• Test the system before towing on the road.
• DO NOT tow your trailer on the road if the system is not working
properly. Have the system repaired before towing.
The breakaway switch is activated when the trailer moves a certain
distance away from your tow vehicle. The breakaway system is a way for
your trailer to keep tension on the safety chains and allow you to come to
a full stop with minimal trailer, vehicle damage or personal injury. Keep the
breakaway system, including the trailer battery, in good working condition
and properly rigged to be fully effective.
CONNECTOR PLUG
Before each trip:
1. Plug the 7-way connector plug into the tow vehicle socket and verify
that the driving lights on the side and rear of trailer light up.
2. Have someone stand behind the trailer and confirm lights are
working when you perform next steps.
a. Step on the tow vehicle brakes. Brake lights should light up in
the rear.
b. Turn on right/left turn signals and verify that the appropriate
lights come on.
c. With your foot on the brake, put your vehicle in reverse and
verify that the backup lights come on.
3. If any of the lights do not function as expected, the system may
need serviced.
The 7-way connector plug, the wire harness by the tongue, supplies power
from the tow vehicle to brake, turn signal, driving and backup lights in your
travel trailer. It may build up corrosion over time. Clean the connector plug
frequently to ensure good electrical contact.
TOWING HOOKUP
Before you move your trailer:
• Secure and lock the coupler mechanism.
• Secure the safety chains to the tow vehicle.
• Fully retract all tongue and stabilizer jacks.
• Remove chocks from trailer wheels.
• Connect the breakaway switch lanyard to the tow vehicle.
• Connect the 7-pin Connector plug to the tow vehicle power plug.
• Secure all cargo.
Before you tow your trailer on the road, check and ensure:
• Proper function of trailer brakes.
• Proper function of breakaway switch and system.
• Loads and cargo are secured to the trailer.
• All driving, brake and backup lights are functioning properly.
Right Turn/Stop
(BROWN)
Left Turn/Stop
(RED)
Charge
(BLACK)
Tail/Running Lights
(GREEN)
Brakes/Open
(BLUE)
Ground
(WHITE)
Backup Lights
(Yellow)
RV Industry Standard 7-Way Plug
Incorrect attachment of safety chains can
result in serious tow vehicle and trailer
damage, loss of control, serious injury or
death. Attach safety chains according to
proper instructions.
WARNING
A dysfunctional breakaway system can
cause a runaway trailer which may result
in loss of control, serious injury or death.
Never tow a trailer with a malfunctioning
breakaway system.
WARNING
Malfunctioning or dis-connected lights
on your trailer while driving is not only
illegal but may result in traffic accidents
due to limited visibility of your trailer by
other vehicles. Loss of control, serious
injury or death can result.
WARNING
If your trailer is improperly connected
to your tow vehicle, chances for loss of
control and traffic accidents are majorly
increased and may result in serious
injury or death.
WARNING
