Titan Leaf Pro, Operation & Maintenance Manual

Page: 26 / 139

Coupling to the Tow Vehicle
3. C
OUPLING TO THE
T
OW
V
EHICLE
Follow all of the safety precautions and instructions in this manual to ensure safety of persons,
cargo, and satisfactory life of the trailer.
3.1. U
SE AN
A
DEQUATE
T
OW
V
EHICLE AND
H
ITCH
If the vehicle or hitch is not properly selected and matched to the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) of your trailer, you can cause an accident that could lead to death or serious injury. If
you already have a tow vehicle, know your vehicle tow rating, and Gross Combination Weight
Rating (GCWR) and make certain the trailer’s rated capacity is less than or equal to the tow
vehicle’s rated towing capacity. If you already have (or plan to buy) a trailer, make certain that
the tow rating of the tow vehicle is equal to or greater than the GVWR of the trailer, and that the
GCWR will be within limits.
^ Danger
Use of a hitch with a load rating less than the load rating of the trailer can
result in loss of control and may lead to death or serious injury.
Use of a tow vehicle with a towing capacity less than the load rating of the
trailer can result in loss of control, and may lead to death or serious injury.
Be sure your hitch and tow vehicle are rated for the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) of your trailer.
3.2. C
ERTIFICATION
/ VIN
TAG
The VIN tag is located on the driver’s side, near the front of the trailer. The VIN Tag contains the
following critical safety information for the use of your trailer:
MANUFACTURER: Name of trailer manufacturer
DATE OF MANUFACTURE: Month and year the trailer was manufactured.
GVWR: The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the maximum allowable gross weight of the trailer
and its contents. The gross weight of the trailer includes the weight of the trailer and all of the
items within it (such as cargo, water, food and other supplies).
GAWR: The Gross Axle Weight Rating is the maximum gross weight that an axle can support. It
is the lowest of axle, wheel, or tire rating. Sometimes the tire or wheel rating is lower than the
axle manufacturers rating, and will then determine GAWR.
The sum total of the GAWR for all trailer axles may be less than the GVWR for the trailer,
because some of the trailer load is carried by the tow vehicle, rather than by the trailer axle(s).
The total weight of the cargo and trailer must not exceed the GVWR, and the load on an axle
must not exceed its GAWR.
TIRE SIZE: The tire size recommended for your trailer and load range.
PSIC: The “pounds per square inch- cold” is the tire pressure (Kilopascals / Pounds per Square
Inch) measured when Cold.
CERTIFICATION STATEMENT : “This trailer meets all the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards in effect on the date of manufacture shown above”.
VIN: The Vehicle Identification Number.