Titan Leaf Pro, Operation & Maintenance Manual

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General Safety Information
1.2. M
AJOR
H
AZARDS
Loss of control of the trailer or trailer/tow vehicle combination can result in death or serious injury. The
most common causes for loss of control of the trailer are:
•
Improper sizing the trailer for the tow vehicle, or vice versa.
•
Excessive Speed: Driving too fast for the conditions.
•
Failure to adjust driving behavior when towing a trailer.
•
Improper or mis-coupling of the trailer to the hitch.
•
Improper braking and steering under sway conditions.
•
Not maintaining proper tire pressure.
•
Not keeping lug nuts tight.
1.2.1. I
MPROPER
S
IZING OF THE
T
RAILER TO THE
T
OW
V
EHICLE
.
Trailers that weigh too much for the towing vehicle can cause stability problems, which can lead to death
or serious injury. Furthermore, the additional strain put on the engine and drive-train may lead to serious
tow vehicle maintenance problems. For these reasons the maximum towing capacity of your towing
vehicle should not be exceeded. The towing capacity of your tow vehicle, in terms of maximum Gross
Trailer Weight (GTW) and maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) can be found in the tow
vehicles Owner’s Manual.
^ 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.
1.2.2. D
RIVING
T
OO
F
AST
With ideal road conditions, the maximum recommended speed for safely towing a trailer is 60 mph. If you
drive too fast, the trailer is more likely to sway, thus increasing the possibility for loss of control. Also your
tires may overheat, thus increasing the possibility of a blowout.
^ W
ARNING
Driving too fast for conditions can result in loss of control and cause death or
serious injury.
1.2.3. A
DJUSTING
D
RIVING
B
EHAVIOR TO MATCH
C
ONDITIONS
When towing a trailer, you will have decreased acceleration, increased stopping distance, and increased
turning radius (which means you must make wider turns to keep from hitting curbs, vehicles, and anything
else that is on the inside corner). Furthermore the trailer will change the handling characteristics of your
towing vehicle, making it more sensitive to steering inputs and more likely to be pushed around in windy
conditions or when being passed by large vehicles. In addition, you will need a longer distance to pass,
due to slower acceleration and increased length. With these caveats in mind: