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©2022 TAXA INC. v.4.2.010122
©2022 TAXA INC. v.4.2.010122
Your habitat is equipped with electric brakes and
a wireless proportional brake controller. Under
normal driving/towing conditions, the habitat
brakes will operate only in conjunction with a
properly installed brake controller (which is also
discussed below). Please also obtain and read the
separate manual of the brake controller.
NOTE: in an emergency uncoupling of your tow
vehicle and habitat, your habitat electric brakes
will automatically engage even without a brake
controller. This assumes, of course, that you have
properly attached and secured the provided
breakaway switch. See also “Hitching” and
“Towing” sections herein.
BREAKING-IN BRAKES
We recommend that you break-in your habitat
brakes in an empty, paved parking lot, not on a
public road, when practicable. To break-in your
brakes, apply the brakes at least twenty (20)
times, decreasing your speed approximately 20
mph in each application. Allow a few minutes for
the brakes to cool between each application so
that the brake shoes and magnets “wear-in” to the
drum surfaces.
BRAKE CONTROLLER
When a brake control or controller is properly
installed, your habitat electric brakes will work in
synchronization with your tow vehicle brakes. If
you sense lock-up, “grabbiness,” or your habitat
“jerking” or “pushing” the tow vehicle when
braking, your braking systems are not properly
synchronized. You may need to have small
adjustments made periodically because of, for
example, changing loads and driving conditions.
Brake Controllers are proportionally adjustable and
small adjustments are easily made. Important Note:
Your habitat does not include a brake controller
from the factory. Refer to your brake controller
manual for instructions on synchronization, use,
maintenance, and adjustments.
WARNING: MINIMUM VEHICLE STOPPING
DISTANCES ARE ACHIEVED WHEN WHEELS
APPROACH LOCK UP. BRAKE LOCK UP SHOULD
BE AVOIDED AS IT RESULTS IN POOR VEHICLE
STABILITY AND CONTROL.
CONNECTOR
Your provided 7-pin cord connector located at
the front of the habitat transfers electrical power
from the tow vehicle battery to the habitat brakes,
lighting system, and battery.
BRAKING TIPS
Do NOT use the habitat brakes only. They were
designed to provide braking for your habitat, not
the tow vehicle. Remember that the added weight
of both the habitat itself and the cargo you are
carrying can put additional load pressures on
your tow vehicle brakes. It also may, under some
conditions (i.e. slippery pavement, loose gravel,
etc.), impact overall stability and control of your
tow vehicle and habitat. Thus, be sure that you
have all the information you need to make an
informed decision regarding your brakes before
getting on the road.
BRAKE ADJUSTMENTS
Generally, brakes should be adjusted after the first
200 miles, every 3,000 miles thereafter, and/or as
use and performance requires. We recommend that
you have a qualified technician perform all brake
adjustments, service and maintenance.
TIRES
BRAKES
OVERVIEW
Properly-maintained tires improve the steering,
stopping, traction, and load-carrying capability
of your vehicle. Under-inflated tires and
overloaded vehicles are a major cause of tire
failure. Maintaining proper tire pressure, tire and
vehicle load limits, avoiding road hazards, and
regularly inspecting tires for cuts, slashes, and
other irregularities are important steps in avoiding
tire failure, such as tread separation, blowout,
or flat tires. These steps, along with other care
and maintenance activities, may improve vehicle
handling, help protect you and others from
avoidable breakdowns and accidents, improve fuel
economy, and increase the life of your tires. In sum,
you are responsible for making tire safety a regular
part of your tow vehicle and habitat maintenance
routine. Remember that the time you spend is
minimal compared with the inconvenience and
safety consequences of tire failure.
FUNDAMENTALS
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place
standardized information on the sidewall of all
tires. This information identifies and describes the
fundamental characteristics of the tire and also
provides a tire identification number for safety
standard certification and recall matters.
Sidewall markings and important terms … your
habitat tires should be marked with either a
designation of “ST” (i.e. ST235/75/ R15, or
LT235/75/R15). The “ST” indicates Standard
Habitat Service and is designed for habitat use
only. The “LT” indicates Light Truck Service and is
designed to be used on vehicles that are capable
of carrying heavy cargo.
TERMS
Maximum Load Rating
is the maximum load in
kilograms and pounds that each tire can carry.
Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure
is the
greatest amount of air pressure that should be put
in the tire under normal driving conditions.
Maximum Load Single kg (lbs) at kPa (psi) cold
Indicates the maximum load and tire pressure
when the tire is used as a single.
LOAD RANGE
Identifies the tire’s load-carrying capabilities and
its inflation limits.
TIRE TREAD
The tire tread provides the gripping action and
traction that helps prevent your vehicle from
slipping or sliding, especially when the road is wet
or icy. Generally, tires are not safe and should be
replaced when the tread is worn down to 1/16 of
an inch. The following chart is a general guide for
determining the condition of and maintenance
action for your habitat tires:
REPLACEMENT
Please refer to the tire sidewall on your habitat’s
standard tires for information regarding proper
tire replacement. Be sure to replace your standard
habitat tires with “ST” or “LT”designated tires.
Note: replacing your habitat tires with non-ST
designated tires will void the Limited Warranty.
See Limited Warranty section herein. If you have
any doubt about the correct size/type to choose,
consult with a tire dealer. Please also refer to the
manual provided by your specific tire manufacturer
for care and use instructions.
REPAIR
The proper repair of a punctured tire requires a
plug for the hole and a patch for the area inside the
tire that surrounds the puncture hole. Punctures
through the tread may be repaired if they are not
too large, but punctures to the sidewall should NOT
be repaired. Tires must be removed from the rim to
be properly inspected before being plugged and
patched.
WARNING: ALL TIRE REPAIRS SHOULD BE
PERFORMED BY A QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN.
TIRE PRESSURE AND LOAD LIMITS
Tire inflation pressure is the level of air in the tire
that provides it with load-carrying capacity and
affects the overall performance of the vehicle.
Because tires may naturally lose air over time,
or when driven over objects such as potholes
or curbs, it is important to check tire pressure
monthly and before every trip. The tire inflation
pressure number indicates the amount of air
pressure– measured in pounds per square inch
(psi)– a tire requires to be properly inflated. Vehicle
manufacturers determine this number based on
the vehicle’s design load limit, that is, the greatest
amount of weight a vehicle can safely carry and
the vehicle’s tire size. Excessive loads may lead to
abnormal tire flex, tire overheating, and ultimately,
tire failure.
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