1
mounts, brackets, bolts, fasteners, wiring, the safety
cables and all other system components each time
before towing. Check
the coupler ball clamp
and ball socket (Fig-
ure 1) for fractures or
cracks in the steel.
If any component
is damaged, replace
it before towing.
Check the nut at
the bottom of the threaded hitch ball shank (Figure 2)
to ensure that it is
tightened to the man-
ufacturer’s torque
specifications. Inspect
the nut and the bot-
tom of the threaded
hitch ball shank (Fig-
ure 2) for signs of
wear caused when
the motorhome ‘bot-
toms out.’ If the nut is
damaged, replace it; if the threaded shank is damaged,
replace the hitch ball and shank.
Additionally, check the tow bar bracket every 3,000
miles — inspect for any fractures or cracks in the steel, or
any visible damage. Do not tow if the tow bar bracket is
damaged.
Additionally, check the torque on all bolts. (To find the
torque ratings, refer to the installation instructions for the
mounting bracket and the tow bar.)
• Never tow a vehicle with one of a comparable
weight.
The towed vehicle’s weight should never exceed
40 percent of the towing vehicle’s weight.
Towing a vehicle with one of similar weight will cause
the towed vehicle to override the towing vehicle, result-
ing in “jackknifing,” “leapfrogging” or “fishtailing.” Serious
damage to both vehicles, as well as the towing system,
could result.
• Always stand to one side and as close to the motor-
home as possible when releasing the tow bar locking
mechanisms.
Never stand between the adjustable arms,
or put any part of your body between the adjustable arms,
when releasing the tow bar — always stand to one side.
Because the towed vehicle may jerk forward when the
locking mechanisms are released, face the towed vehicle
and stand as close to the back of the motorhome as pos-
sible before releasing the locking mechanisms, to keep
from being hit by the towed vehicle.
• Check the motorhome turning radius.
Some motor-
home chassis have such a tight turning radius that you
can damage your motorhome, towed vehicle or tow bar
while turning too sharply. Before getting on the road with
your towed vehicle, you should test your turning radius in
an empty parking lot.
With the towed vehicle attached, have someone watch
continued on next page
CAUTION
Do not back up the motorhome with the towed ve-
hicle attached.
Backing up with the towed vehicle attached will
cause the towed vehicle to “jackknife,” which will dam-
age the tow bar, the mounting bracket, the receiver
hitch, the towed vehicle's front end, and/or the rear
of the motorhome. Backing up with the towed vehicle
attached is the primary cause of tow bar damage and
will void the warranty.
• Be sure the vehicle can be towed
before taking it on
the road. Some vehicles must be equipped with a transmis-
sion lube pump, an axle disconnect, driveline disconnect
or free-wheeling hubs before they can be towed. Failure
to properly equip the vehicle will cause severe damage
to the transmission.
Check the vehicle manufacturer’s instructions for the
proper procedure(s) to prepare the vehicle for towing.
• The tow bar must be approximately level with the
ball hitch on the motorhome.
Towing with the tow bar
at an upward or downward slope puts undue strain on the
tow bar bracket and the ball mount. Driving over sharp in-
clines or declines could force the coupler off the hitch ball.
If it is necessary to raise or lower the hitch, two op-
tional accessories are available: an adjustable ball hitch,
part number 880; and roller hitch drops, in 4" through 10"
drops (part numbers 051-4 through 051-10).
• The steering wheel must be unlocked and free to
turn when towing.
Failure to do so can cause severe
tire and equipment damage. Check the manufacturer’s
instructions for the proper towing procedure(s).
• Always use safety cables when towing.
The safety
cables must connect the towed vehicle to the towing ve-
hicle, frame to frame.
Additionally, check to ensure that the safety cables are
the proper length. Refer to the sections titled “How to use
safety cables” and “Proper installation of safety cables”
for further information.
The weight capacity of the safety cables must meet
or exceed the towed weight, or the safety cables will
fail.
•
The StowMaster All Terrain tow bar is rated at a maxi-
mum of 6,000 pounds carrying capacity; therefore
the
weight of the towed vehicle and all its contents can-
not exceed 6,000 pounds.
In addition, the hitch ball, the
receiver hitch, the safety cables and all supplementary
towing equipment must be rated at no less than the weight
of the towed vehicle and all its contents.
• The tow bar must be secured with linch pins (or op-
tional padlocks) before towing.
Unless the tow bar is
secured to both vehicles with all appropriate pins (or pad-
locks), the towed vehicle will detach.
• This tow bar is designed for use on paved roads
only.
ROADMASTER does not recommend off-road tow-
ing, nor does ROADMASTER warrant the tow bar for off-
road use.
• Inspect the system before towing
— check the
SAFE TOWING PRACTICES
Figure 1
Figure 2
Summary of Contents for StowMaster ALL TERRAIN
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