Taxa Outdoors 2022 Mantis Owner'S Manual Download Page 11

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HITCHING

LOADING & TOWING

(Continued)

WARNING: DO NOT CONNECT THE
BREAKAWAY SWITCH LANYARD TO THE HITCH
BALL OR ANY PART OF THE HITCH ASSEMBLY.

NOTE: Your breakaway switch will automatically
engage the electric habitat brakes if the safety
chains fail during uncoupling.

9. Connect the power cord between the tow

vehicle and the habitat, leaving enough
slack for the tow vehicle to turn without
disconnecting the power cord;

10. Adjust side mirrors;

11. Check all lights on habitat and tow vehicle,

ensuring that they are working properly.

12. Confirm the brakes are working properly prior

to towing the habitat on a public road. You
can, for example, check the operation of the
habitat brakes by pulling forward and using
the AUTOWBRAKE fob or hand control of any
alternate brake controller.

Depending on your tow vehicle or intended usage
of the habitat, you may want to consider the use
of a weight distributing hitch and/or sway bars.
These distribute the tongue weight of the habitat
further away from the rear and can help in vehicle
handling.

WARNING: FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS
PROVIDED BY YOUR TOW VEHICLE’S TOW
PACKAGE MANUFACTURER AND/OR INSTALLER

WEIGHTS AND SPECIFICATIONS

Weights and measurements are crucial to
understand and take into consideration, both
for your safety and for your enjoyment as
a habitat owner. Please study and learn the
following weight ratings and reference them
before loading or towing.

lly

GVWR

4,200

5,000 2,700 3,000 2,200 2,400 2,100

GAWR

4,000 5,200 3,500 3,500 2,000 2,200 2,000

UVW (Dry Weight)

2,972 3,486

1,753 1,978

1,310

1,458 1,270

CCC (Cargo Capacity)

1,028

1,614

900 1,022

990

942

830

Tongue Weight

435

510

245

264

127

195

140

Bunk Weight Rating

185

130

N/A

Exterior Length

19'

15'

12'10"

12'9" 10'8"

Exterior Height (open)

9'10"

10'1"

9'4"

N/A

Exterior Height (closed)

6'9"

6'11"

7'2"

6'8"

4'9"

Ground Clearance

11"

14"

11"

14"

15"

18"

12"

NOTE: All measurements are in Pounds (Lbs)
unless otherwise noted.

A. 2” ball coupler
B. Habitat wiring plugged securely into

tow vehicle, lights tested.

C. Chains crossed and securely attached

to frame of hitch.

D. Breakaway switch cable attached to

tow vehicle separate from chains

Coupler Securely Latched and Pinned

Example of Weight Distributing Hitch Assembly

The process of safely and properly loading your
habitat should become easier with practice and

experience. Please first get familiar with and

understand the following terms related to your
habitat’s weight, carrying capacity, and rating.
Refer to our spec sheet for more information.

TERMS

Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)

is the

maximum permissible weight of the habitat when

fully loaded and equipped/outfitted. It includes but

is not limited to all weight at the habitat axle(s) and
tongue or pin as well as all add-ons, appliances,
accessories, potable water, etc. This number is
recorded on the permanent label on the tongue of
your habitat.

Dry weight or unloaded vehicle weight (UVW)

is the weight of the habitat as manufactured at
the factory (typical weight without loading, no
options). It includes all weight at the habitat axle(s)
and tongue or pin.

You will need to account for the weight of the
dealer or third-party installed add-ons, options
and accessories, if any, in determining your actual
UVW. In sum, your actual UVW will vary (and

increase) to the extent you have outfitted your

habitat with additional items. Note: Your cargo
carrying capacity (discussed below) will vary (and
decrease) to the extent of the weight of dealer
or third-party installed add-ons, options and
accessories, if any.

Cargo carrying capacity (CCC)

is equal to GVWR

minus UVW and potable water weight.

However, remember that your actual CCC will vary

(and decrease) to the extent you have outfitted

your habitat with additional items. Please refer to
the stickers located at the front exterior of your
habitat for CCC.

Gross axle weight rating (GAWR)

is the value

specified as the load carrying capacity of a single

axle system, as measured at the tire-ground
interfaces. Please refer to the sticker located at the
front exterior of your habitat for GAWR.

Gross trailer (habitat) weight (GTW)

is the weight

of the habitat with all the items and supplies that
are loaded into the unit at any point in time and
must be less than the allowed GVWR.

GENERAL WEIGHT CONSIDERATIONS

Before towing, you must choose the items you will

load onto your habitat and then determine whether
the loaded weight is safe and proper.
Of course, the best way (highly recommended) to
calculate the loaded weight of your habitat is to
have it weighed while loaded, and then compare
it with the GVWR. Otherwise, you will need to do
some calculations on your own in order to make
an appropriate determination. If the loaded weight
of your habitat exceeds the GVWR, your habitat
is overloaded and should not be towed. You will
need to remove items from, and reduce the loaded
weight of, the habitat until it’s at or below the
GVWR before towing. Note: remember to include
in your calculations the weight of dealer or third-
party installed equipment, options, add-ons,
accessories and any other non-standard items. As
an additional safety precaution, we recommend
that you take a conservative approach when doing
your own weight calculations.

WEIGHT/LOAD DISTRIBUTION AND TONGUE
WEIGHT

Proper weight and load distribution is essential to
safe towing. Load the habitat evenly (front to back
and side to side) and securely, keeping heavier
items as low as possible. Be sure to secure the load.

A firmly secured load will be less prone to shifting

and should help maintain load balance during
travel.

The tongue

is the habitat arm extension that

couples with the tow vehicle receiver.

Tongue weight

is the amount of weight borne

by the habitat hitch and another important
consideration when loading your habitat.
Generally, the actual tongue weight should equal
approximately 10-15% of the gross habitat weight.
Excessive tongue weight will make your tow
vehicle’s steering and braking less responsive.

Insufficient tongue weight may cause your habitat

to sway.

You could weigh your loaded habitat’s tongue to
determine the actual tongue weight. However,
you may also observe the actual tongue weight
and determine if it is too light or too heavy. For
example, a habitat with a proper tongue weight
will form a straight line from front to back between
the tow vehicle and the habitat. A habitat with the
weight improperly distributed (i.e. a light tongue
weight) will cause the coupling between the tow
vehicle and habitat to rise, with the weight pressing
down at the rear of the habitat and the front of the
tow vehicle. Excessive tongue weight will do just
the opposite.