Taxa Outdoors Cricket 2019, Owner'S Manual

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C RIC K E T
®
www.taxaoutdoors.com
1830 west 15th street houston, tx 77008 usa (rev.11292018) 11
TOWING
We want your towing experiences and practices to be safe and enjoyable. Please take your time, avoid being in a rush and give special
attention to all safety matters prior to and during the towing of your trailer.
As previously indicated, we recommend that you practice towing your Cricket in, for example, an empty parking lot before going on your
first camping trip. This initial trial and practice is fun and will help you get accustomed to and familiar with Cricket®’s systems and operation .
Please also make note of any questions, issues or problems that arise during your pre-travel towing practice, and then inquire with your
dealer or email us hello@taxaoutdoors.com. You can also visit our website (www.taxaoutdoors.com) for current contact information.
Please also refer to the “Overview of Safety Precautions” and “Pre - Travel Checklist” sections before towing your trailer.
safety chains … We have equipped your trailer with safety chains. Make use of them. Safety chains serve to maintain the connection
between your trailer and the tow vehicle in the event of separation of the ball and trailer coupling. Be sure to hook the safety chains to the
frame of the tow vehicle (not the hitch), crossing them under the trailer’s tongue. Also, remember to inspect the length of the chains once
they are attached to the tow vehicle frame. A proper chain length will allow turns and prevent the chains from dragging on the road.
breakaway switch … Your trailer is equipped with a breakaway switch. For every Cricket the breakaway switch is wired to the Cricket’s
internal battery. Breakaway switches are designed to activate the electric brakes in the event your trailer disconnects/uncouples from the
tow vehicle. Your trailer battery powers this braking. Ideally, the safety chains will prevent your trailer from disconnecting if the coupler
comes off the hitch ball. However, if the safety chains fail, the breakaway pulls the pin out of the switch which fires the brakes and serves as
a last line of defense against a runaway trailer. The breakaway switch cable needs to be secured to the tow vehicle bumper or frame
independently of the trailer safety chains. The following are guidelines for attaching the cable:
The cable should come straight out from the switch to attach to the tow vehicle
The switch and cable should be located and secured on the same side of the trailer and tow vehicle
Do not loop the cable over the hitch ball; the cable may bounce off while the vehicle is moving
Before towing you may test the breakaway assembly by pulling the pin out of the switch to confirm activation of the trailer electric
brakes.
See below
tire pressure … you are responsible for maintaining proper tire pressure in the tires of your trailer and tow vehicle. Thus, always check your
tire pressure and refer to the “Tires” discussion herein before traveling.
brakes … you are responsible for inspecting and maintaining both your trailer and tow vehicle brakes before towing. Do not tow your trailer
unless you have confirmed your brakes are in good condition and operating properly. Be sure to have a qualified technician perform all
brake adjustments, service and maintenance. Please
also refer to the “Brakes” discussion herein before traveling.
lights … be sure to check all electrical connections to ensure all lights on the tow vehicle and trailer are functioning properly before traveling.
The brake lights, and hazard and turn signals should be in synchronization with the tow vehicle.
stay level … the trailer and tow vehicle must be level when hitched. Dragging may occur if the hitch is too low. Conversely, if the hitch is
too high, the rear of the trailer is exposed to striking higher points in the road.
general towing/driving … drive defensively, anticipating stops, braking early, and never following closely. W e recommend maintaining a
length of at least three cars and a trailer (approximately 65 ft.) between you and the car in front of you for every 10 mph of speed you are
traveling (for example, at 60mph, you should maintain approximately 390 ft. of distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of
you). This should give you adequate time to safely complete a proper avoidance maneuver (i.e. come to a safe stop, change lanes, etc.) in
switch location
cable attached independently to tow vehicle, with
pin secured in switch