inTech Trailers Gooseneck Owner'S Manual Download

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Owner’s

Manual

Summary of Contents for Gooseneck

Page 2: ...able warranty that s how confident we are in the trailers that we build This manual includes safety and operating information along with towing and loading requirements You should read the entire manual and head all caution and warning information prior to the operation of your trailer inTech has a very comprehensive quality control program that is conducted throughout the entire manufacturing pro...

Page 3: ... to inTech Trailers for repairs or a repair facility authorized by inTech Trailers Reasonable notification must be given for all repairs When an authorized repair facility is used a written estimate must be provided to inTech Trailers prior to any work being performed This warranty does not cover freight to or from inTech Trailers for repairs or to an authorized repair facility The original purcha...

Page 4: ...ler and Hitch 13 1 2 7 Unsafe Tires Lug Nuts or Wheels 14 1 2 8 Overload 15 1 2 9 Unsafe Load Distribution 15 1 2 10 Shifting Cargo 16 1 2 11 Inappropriate Cargo 17 1 2 12 Inoperable Brakes Lights or Mirrors 17 1 2 13 Hazards From Modifying Your Trailer 18 1 2 14 Hazards From Accessories 18 1 2 14 1 Generator 18 1 2 14 2 Shore Power 19 1 2 14 3 LP Fuel System 19 1 2 15 Reporting Safety Defects 20 ...

Page 5: ...ING AND UNCOUPLING THE TRAILER 25 2 2 1 Trailer with Ball Hitch Coupler 26 2 2 1 1 Before Coupling the Trailer to the Tow Vehicle 27 2 2 1 2 Prepare the Coupler and Hitch 27 2 2 1 3 Coupling the Trailer to the Tow Vehicle 28 2 2 1 4 Rigging the Safety Chains 28 2 2 1 5 Attach and Test Electrical Breakaway Brake System 29 2 2 1 6 Connecting the Electrical Cables 30 2 2 1 7 Uncoupling the Ball Hitch...

Page 6: ...paring the Trailer for Loading 45 4 CHECKING THE TRAILER BEFORE DURING EACH TOW 47 4 1 PRE TOW CHECKLIST 47 4 2 MAKE REGULAR STOPS 47 5 BREAKING IN A NEW TRAILER 47 5 1 RETIGHTEN LUG NUTS AT FIRST 25 50 AND 200 MILES 47 5 2 ADJUST BRAKE SHOES AT FIRST 200 MILES 48 5 3 SYNCHRONIZING THE BRAKE SYSTEM 48 6 ACCESORRIES 49 6 1 GASOLINE POWERED ELECTRIC GENERATORS 49 6 2 ACCESSORY BATTERY 50 6 3 SHORE P...

Page 7: ...es 60 7 2 4 3 4 Magnets For All Electric Brakes 60 7 2 4 4 Brakes Hydraulic Vacuum Air or Electric Operated 61 7 2 4 4 1 Vacuum Operated Hydraulic 61 7 2 4 4 2 Air Pressure Operated Hydraulic 61 7 2 4 4 3 Electric Operated Hydraulic 61 7 2 5 Trailer Connection to Tow Vehicle 61 7 2 5 1 Coupler and Ball 61 7 2 5 2 Gooseneck 62 7 2 5 3 Fifth Wheel Kingpin 62 7 2 6 Landing Leg or Jack 63 7 2 7 Lights...

Page 8: ... 8 3 DOORS BARLOCKS AND RAMP HINGES 68 8 4 ROOF MAINTENANCE 68 8 5 ROOF VENTS 69 8 6 FRAME MAINTENANCE 69 8 7 EXTERIOR MAINTENANCE 69 9 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION 70 9 1 STEPS FOR DETERMING CORRECT LOAD LIMIT TRAILER 70 9 2 STEPS FOR DETERMING CORRECT LOAD LIMIT TOW VEHICLE 72 9 3 GLOSSARY OF TIRE TERMINOLOGY 72 10 INTECH TRAILERS CONTACT INFORMATION 82 Physical Mailing Address 82 inTech Trailers 82 ...

Page 9: ...e you must read understand and follow the instructions given by the tow vehicle and trailer hitch manufacturers as well as the instructions in this manual Trailer Components inTech Trailers are built with components produced by various manufacturers Some of these items have separate instruction manuals Where this manual indications that you should read another manual and you do not have that manua...

Page 10: ...r Anticipate the trailer swaying Swaying is the trailer reaction to the air pressure wave caused by passing trucks and buses Continued pulling of the trailer provides a stabilizing force to correct swaying Do not apply the brakes to correct trailer swaying Check review mirrors frequently to observe the trailer and traffic Use lower gear when driving down steep or long grades Use the engine and tra...

Page 11: ...serve the hitch for wear corrosion and cracks before coupling Replace worn corroded or cracked hitch components before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle Be sure the hitch components are tight before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle An improperly coupled trailer can result in death or serious injury Do not move the trailer until The coupler is secured and locked to the hitch The safety...

Page 12: ...derneath the hitch and coupler with enough slack to permit turning and to hold the tongue up if the trailer should come uncoupled An ineffective or inoperative breakaway brake system can result in a runaway trailer leading to death or serious injury if the coupler or hitch fails The breakaway cable must be connected to the tow vehicle and NOT to any part of the hitch Before towing the trailer test...

Page 13: ...0mph before checking tire pressure NOTE Trailer tires will be inflated to a higher pressure than passenger vehicle tires WARNING Since trailer wheels and lug nuts or bolts are subjected to greater side loads than automobile wheels they are more prone to loosen Before each tow check to make sure they are tight WARNING The proper tightness torque for lug nuts is listed on page 66 of this manual Use ...

Page 14: ...railer plus its cargo Gross Vehicle Weight or GVW that should appear on the tongue or gooseneck hitch of the trailer For example a trailer with a gooseneck hitch with a loaded weight of 12 000 pounds should have 20 25 of 12 000 pounds on the gooseneck hitch tongue In this example the trailer would have 2 400 to 3 000 pounds on its gooseneck hitch tongue Lug nuts are prone to loosen after initial i...

Page 15: ...tch is equipped with a catch that has a hole for a linchpin use a linchpin to prevent the door latch from opening WARNING Improper tongue weight load distribution can result in loss of control of the trailer leading to death or serious injury Make certain that the tongue weight is within the allowable range Distribute the load front to rear to provide proper tongue weight see chart Distribute the ...

Page 16: ...er brake lights by having someone step on the tow vehicle brake pedal while you look at the trailer lights Do the same thing to check the turn signal lights If your trailer has electric brakes your tow vehicle will have an electric brake controller that sends power to the brakes Before towing the trailer on the road you must operate the brake controller while trying to pull the trailer in order to...

Page 17: ...ay be on your trailer Read and follow all of these instructions before operating the accessories The major hazards from some of these accessories are 1 2 14 1 Generator If your trailer is equipped with a gasoline LP or diesel generator you must have and follow the generator manufacturer s instructions You must also have one or more carbon monoxide detectors in the trailer s living quarter s accomm...

Page 18: ...rator or refuel near an ignition source Shore power poses risk of death due to electrocution or fire Always use an electrical cord specifically designed for shore power connections Never use an ordinary extension cord Always connect the electrical cord to a grounded source of shore power Do not alter the shore power cord or plug Connect only to source of power voltage Make certain polarity is corr...

Page 19: ...h due to fire or explosion Do not store LP tanks inside the trailer Only fill a propane tank 80 full Only fill the tanks with liquefied petroleum gas Never attempt to connect natural gas to this system Overfilled tanks can release gas and cause an explosion Risk of fire or explosion If LP is detected by smell or by the LP detector do not touch electrical switches Extinguish flames and pilot lights...

Page 20: ...djust the mirrors so you can see the trailer as well as the area to the rear of it Drive slowly at first 5mph or so and turn the wheel to get the feel of how the tow vehicle and trailer combination responds Next make some right and left hand turns Watch in your side mirrors to see how the trailer follows the tow vehicle Turning with a trailer attached requires more room Stop the tow vehicle and tr...

Page 21: ... coupler is secure to the hitch and is locked Electrical connectors are made There is appropriate slack in the breakaway switch pull pin cable The tires are not visibly low on pressure Your cargo is secure and in good condition 2 COUPLING TO THE TOW VEHICLE 2 1 USE AN ADEQUATE TOW VEHICLE AND HITCH If the vehicle or hitch is not properly selected and matched to the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR...

Page 22: ...Maximum Gross Trailer Weight GVWR GTWR and MGTW are all the same rating 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 to be carried by the tow vehicle rather than on 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 the GAWR 2 1 1 3 PSI The tir...

Page 23: ...system that may be equipped on the trailer 2 1 2 5 Side View Mirror The size of the trailer that is being towed and your state law regulations determine the size of the mirrors However some states prohibit extended mirrors on a tow vehicle except while a trailer is actually being towed In this situation detachable extended mirrors are necessary Check with your appropriate state agency for mirror r...

Page 24: ...lat tire Your tow vehicle lug nut wrench may not necessarily be the correct size to remove and reinstall the lug nuts on your trailer You will also need a way to raise the trailer off of the ground making certain that all the tires are blocked and the jack in your tow vehicle may not be adequate 2 2 COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING THE TRAILER A secure coupling fastening of the trailer to the tow vehicle i...

Page 25: ...ng a trailer to a tow vehicle is sometimes referred to as bumper pull A ball hitch trailer may be fitted with a tongue jack that can raise and lower the coupler The tongue jack is mounted to the A frame front or tongue part of the trailer By rotating the jack handle clockwise the jack will extend and raise the front of the trailer The load rating of the coupler and the necessary ball size are list...

Page 26: ...ts and pits Be sure the coupler is tight to the tongue of the trailer All coupler fasteners must be visibly solid against the trailer frame WARNING Raise the bottom surface of the coupler to be above the top of the hitch ball Use the jack if one is provided otherwise use wood or concrete blocks to support the trailer tongue 2 2 1 2 Prepare the Coupler and Hitch Lubricate the hitch ball and the ins...

Page 27: ...racting the jack to its fully retracted position 2 2 1 4 Rigging the Safety Chains Visually inspect the safety chains and hooks for wear damage Replace worn or damaged safety chains and hooks before towing Rig the safety chains so that they o Cross underneath the coupler o Loop around a frame member of the tow vehicle or to holes in the hitch system but do not attach them to an interchangeable par...

Page 28: ... the safety chains is taken up Do not connect the pull pin cable to a safety chain or to the hitch ball or to the hitch ball assembly This would keep the breakaway brake system from operating when it is needed Remove the pull pin from the switch and test tow the trailer at less than 5mph You should feel the trailer resisting being towed but the wheels will not necessarily be locked If the brakes d...

Page 29: ...e While towing the trailer at less than 5mph manually operate the electric brake controller in the tow vehicle cab You should feel the operation of the trailer brakes WARNING 2 2 1 7 Uncoupling the Ball Hitch Trailer with the Tongue Jack Follow these steps to uncouple your ball hitch trailer from the tow vehicle Block the trailer tires to prevent the trailer from rolling before jacking the trailer...

Page 30: ... RATED TOWING CAPACITY EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE TRAILER GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING GVWR IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE GOOSENECK BALL BE OF THE SAME SIZE AS THE GOOSENECK BALL RECEIVER The gooseneck ball size and load rating capacity are marked on the ball hitch capacity is marked on the hitch WARNING The height of the ball receiver on the trailer must be adjusted to match the height of the goosene...

Page 31: ...side of the receiver for worn spots and pits If any of these conditions exist have the receiver replaced before coupling the trailer Lubricate the inside of the gooseneck ball receiver with automotive bearing grease Be sure the receiver is tight to the trailer All receiver fasteners must be visibly solid against the trailer frame Release the jack handle or crank from its holder Make certain the gr...

Page 32: ...o the CLOSED position Be sure the locking pin is holding the locking plate Be sure the receiver is all the way on the gooseneck ball and the lock plate is engaged A properly engaged locking mechanism will allow the coupler to raise the rear of the tow vehicle Using the trailer jack test to see that you can raise the rear of the tow vehicle by 1 inch NOTICE IF THE GOOSENECK BALL CANNOT BE SECURED T...

Page 33: ...eakaway brake system in working order Visually inspect the breakaway system for broken parts Connect the pull pin cable to the tow vehicle so that the pull pin will be pulled out before all of the slack in the safety chains is taken up Do not connect the pull pin cable to a safety chain or a safety chain receiver or to the gooseneck ball or its support This would keep the breakaway brake system fr...

Page 34: ...perate tow vehicle directional signal lever o Backup lights if available put tow vehicle gear shift into reverse Check electric brakes for proper operation If your trailer has electric brakes your tow vehicle must have an electric brake controller that sends power to the trailer brakes Before towing the trailer on the road you must operate the brake controller while trying to pull the trailer in o...

Page 35: ...ting to engage the drop leg Slowly raise your foot permitting the drop leg jack to rise The plunger pin will engage a hole in the drop leg CAUTION Be sure the plunger pin is fully engaged Push it by hand if necessary The bent part of the plunger pin handle must be touching the plunger pin housing If your trailer has two drop leg jacks lower them both to the same level following the above instructi...

Page 36: ...is system of coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle has a greater tongue weight capacity than a ball hitch or gooseneck coupling A fifth wheel coupler includes a flat load bearing plate with a slot and a mechanism inside the slot that grips the kingpin You must provide a kingpin and kingpin plate that match the fifth wheel and that is rated for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR of your trailer 2 2...

Page 37: ...that the fifth wheel locks are properly locked onto the kingpin by performing the following checks Attempt to pull forward as an initial test of the closing of the fifth wheel locks WARNING A trailer having a fifth wheel coupler will be outfitted with one or two step drop leg jacks for raising and lowering the fifth wheel coupler Because we use several drop leg jack mechanisms the general instruct...

Page 38: ...red by the breakaway brake controller manufacturer If you do not have these instructions contact inTech Trailers Parts Service and Warranty Department at 574 773 9536 for a free copy The breakaway brake system may be fitted with a charging facility that draws power from the tow vehicle If the electrical system on your tow vehicle does not provide power to the breakaway brake battery you must perio...

Page 39: ...peration While towing the trailer at less than 5mph manually operate the electric brake controller in the tow vehicle cab You should feel the operation of the trailer brakes WARNING An ineffective breakaway brake system can result in a runaway trailer leading to death or serious injury if the coupler fails Connect the breakaway cable to the tow vehicle and NOT to the kingpin or its supports Before...

Page 40: ...necessary The bent part of the plunger pin handle must be touching the plunger pin housing If your trailer has two step drop leg jacks lower them both to the same level following the above instructions NOTICE Release the handle or crank from its holder and engage it with the jackshaft Rotate the handle or crank clockwise to slowly extend the jack and transfer the weight of the trailer tongue to th...

Page 41: ...d the trailer within its rating you must consider the distribution of weight as well as the total weight of the trailer and its contents The trailer axles carry most of the total weight of the trailer and its contents Gross Vehicle Weight or GVW The remainder of the total weight is carried by the tow vehicle hitch It is essential for safe towing that the trailer tongue and tow vehicle hitch carry ...

Page 42: ...loss of steering control and traction as well if the front wheels are driving In addition to tow vehicle control tongue weight is necessary to insure that the trailer axle s do not exceed their Gross Axle Weight Rating GAWR In the table below the second column notes the rule of thumb percentage of total weight of the trailer plus its cargo Gross Vehicle Weight or GVW that should appear on the tong...

Page 43: ... the portable scale on the ground directly below the coupler Place a strong support such as a cement block on the scale note the scale reading for the weight of the block support Lower the tongue until the coupler rests on the support and the jack is inch above the ground The scale reading minus the weight of the block support is the tongue weight If the tongue weight exceeds the capacity of a por...

Page 44: ... Loading Before loading cargo into your enclosed trailer inspect the interior of the trailer Enclosed trailers may be fitted with D ring hold downs and or a track system that can be used to secure the cargo Inspect the D ring and track system for looseness signs of bending or damage before loading the cargo onto the trailer Shifting cargo can result in loss of control of the trailer and can lead t...

Page 45: ...ndows These openings are provided to exhaust potentially deadly fumes WARNING 3 Secure the cargo to the trailer using appropriate straps chains and tensioning devices 4 Close the drop ramp door and secure the door catch using a linchpin or other locking device so that the catch and door cannot open while the trailer is being towed Damaged or loose D rings can break allowing cargo to become loose i...

Page 46: ...KE REGULAR STOPS Stop and check the following items during normal stops or if something appears abnormal Coupler secured Safety chains are fastened and not dragging Cargo secure Cargo door latched and secured 5 BREAKING IN A NEW TRAILER 5 1 RETIGHTEN LUG NUTS AT FIRST 25 50 AND 200 MILES Wheel lugs can shift and settle quickly after being first assembled and must be checked after the first 50 100 ...

Page 47: ...YSTEM Trailer brakes are designed to work in synchronization with the brakes on the tow vehicle Do not use either brake system alone to stop the combined tow vehicle and trailer When the tow vehicle and trailer braking systems are synchronized both braking systems contribute to slowing and the tongue of the trailer will neither dive nor rise sharply WARNING To insure safe brake performance and syn...

Page 48: ...ccessory Check the fire extinguisher at least once a month If the fire extinguisher is discharged even partially it must be recharged or replaced Follow the fire extinguisher manufacturer s instructions for recharging the extinguisher after use 6 1 GASOLINE POWERED ELECTRIC GENERATORS If your trailer is equipped with a generator you must have and follow the generator manufacturer s instructions Ca...

Page 49: ... to properly supply a charge to the trailers accessory battery the disconnect switch must be kept in the on position When the disconnect switch is in the off position the trailers accessory battery is completely isolated from the electrical system The accessory battery must be kept in a charged condition during storage The battery could freeze and break if it becomes discharged 6 3 SHORE POWER Sho...

Page 50: ...monoxide detector in the living quarter accommodation space of your trailer DANGER When used for the first time or after a period of storage the LP gas lines will be full of air and must be purged of air before the appliances will stay lit Have the LP gas lines purged by your trailer dealer or an LP gas dealer Shore power poses a risk of death due to electrocution or fire Always use an electrical ...

Page 51: ...ected use soapy water solution to search for the leak Do not use a solution that contains ammonia or chlorine common in window and other household cleaning compounds because those chemicals will cause LP piping corrosion WARNING LP gas is either propane or butane that is compressed into liquid form LP gas must be completely vaporized before being burned Butane gas will not operate if the outdoor t...

Page 52: ...NG 6 5 VENDING AND ACCESSORY DOORS A vending or accessory door opens vertically and has a hinge along its top edge These heavy doors are equipped with spring assisted lifting usually with a device known as a gas spring The gas spring lifting device is not designed to hold a vending door up WARNING 6 6 ELECTRIC POWERED LANDING GEAR The landing gear also known as the jack on your trailer may be powe...

Page 53: ...tery is fully discharged the landing gear can be operated manually with a socket wrench 7 INSPECTION AND SERVICE MAINTENANCE 7 1 INSPECTION SERVICE MAINTENANCE SUMMARY CHARTS You must inspect maintain and service your trailer regularly to insure safe and reliable operation If you cannot or are unsure how to perform the items listed here have your dealer or qualified service facility perform the se...

Page 54: ...havie proper trailer GVW Rating Grease Check locking device replace when worn Gooseneck Ball Check for cracks pits and flat spots Make certain ball coupler have proper trailer GVW Rating Grease Check locking device replace when worn Fifth Wheel Kingpin Check for cracks Grease Check locking device replace when worn Safety Chains Hooks Check for wear and damage Tires Check tire pressure PSI when col...

Page 55: ...vice Each 6 Months or 6 000 Miles ITEM INSPECTION SERVICE Tires Rotate 5 000 miles Inspect tread and sidewalls thoroughly Replace tire when tread is worn when sidewall has bulge or sidewall is worn Brakes Electric Magnets Controller in tow vehicle Check wear and current draw Check power output amperage and modulation Structure Roof Vents Windows Clean dirt buildup lubricate hinges slides Clean dir...

Page 56: ...s dents Replace as needed Structure Axle Attachment Bolts Check BY DEALER 7 2 INSPECTIONS AND SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS 7 2 1 Axle Bolts Frame Suspension and Structure WARNING To perform many of the inspections and maintenance activities you must jack up the trailer When jacking and using jack stands place them so as to clear wiring brake lines and suspension parts springs torsion bars etc Place jacks ...

Page 57: ...inum trim to the frame of the trailer Huck bolts may be at various locations on the frame huck bolts are not serviceable If you detect a loose huck bolt fastener do not tow the trailer Call your dealer for instructions WARNING 7 2 2 2 Welds All welds can crack or fail when subjected to heavy loads or movement of cargo that was not properly tied to prevent movement Any time that you know or suspect...

Page 58: ...g Brake Shows Some brake systems are not automatically adjusted by hard stopping These brakes require manual adjustment The following steps apply to adjust most manually adjustable brakes Read your axle and brake manual to see how to adjust your brakes If you do not have this manual call inTech Trailers Parts Service and Warranty Department at 574 773 9536 for a free copy 1 Block the front and rea...

Page 59: ... do this by trying to pull the trailer with the tow vehicle after pulling the pin The trailer brakes may not lock but you will notice a greater force is needed to pull the trailer WARNING 7 2 4 3 3 Tow Vehicle Operated Electric Brakes The electric brakes that operate in conjunction with the tow vehicle brakes must be synchronized so that braking is properly distributed to the tow vehicle brakes an...

Page 60: ...typically used when the tow vehicle has a diesel engine The tow vehicle has an air compressor that routes the air to an air hydraulic mechanism which sends brake fluid to the wheel cylinders The air pressure gauge in your tow vehicle indicates the current air pressure See your tow vehicle manual for the proper air pressure 7 2 4 4 3 Electric Operated Hydraulic Electric hydraulic braking systems wh...

Page 61: ... grease to reduce wear and ensure proper operation and check the locking device that secures the receiver to the ball for proper operation See the gooseneck ball receiver manufacturer s manual for other inspection and maintenance activities If you do not have this manual call inTech Trailers Parts Service and Warranty Department at 574 773 9536 for a free copy If you see or feel evidence of wear s...

Page 62: ...ect the accessory battery when you do not plan to be using the trailer for an extended period such as seasonal storage If there is no battery disconnect switch then remove the cables from the battery terminals The accessory battery must be kept in a charged condition during storage The battery could freeze and break if it becomes discharged 7 2 9 Tires Before each tow be sure the tire pressure is ...

Page 63: ...es to insure safe operation of your trailer If a trailer wheel bearing is immersed in water it must be replaced If your trailer has not been used for an extended amount of time have the bearings inspected and packed more frequently at least every six months and prior to use Follow the steps below to disassemble and service the UNSEALED wheel bearings After removing the grease cap cotter pin spindl...

Page 64: ...ou can then have a service garage or dealer tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque Over tightening will result in breaking the studs or permanently deforming the mounting stud holes in the wheels 1 Start all bolts or nuts by hand to prevent cross threading 2 Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern 3 The tightening of the lug nuts should be done in stages Following the recommended sequence tighte...

Page 65: ...uts In these instances the rim must be replaced immediately 8 GENERAL MAINTENANCE 8 1 FLOOR MAINTENANCE 8 1 1 Advantech Flooring To promote longevity and ease of clean up you can paint your plywood or Advantech floor with a quality oil based porch and deck enamel or a quality garage floor epoxy This will seal the floor and make spilled oil clean up easier The painted floor or bare plywood or Advan...

Page 66: ...ntain their factory appearance We strongly suggest you take a few steps to protect your investment Typical road dirt traps moisture which can cause corrosion over a period of time Brake dust is also corrosive and can cause pitting of the wheels finish This dirt must be removed regularly possibly weekly depending on your driving habits After cleaning always apply a coat of soft non abrasive cream w...

Page 67: ...racked sealant that could lead to a roof leak inTech uses a high quality self leveling caulk that is available through inTech Trailers Parts Service and Warranty Department or at your local RV dealer Do not allow excessive snow buildup onto the roof Make certain to brush snow off of the roof after a heavy snowfall The excessive weight may damage the trailer voiding the inTech Trailer warranty inTe...

Page 68: ...or of your trailer after each use or when dirt is present Do not use a hard bristle brush on your trailer this can damage the exterior paints finish Make certain the exterior of your trailer is wet before using anything to clean the surface It is best to use a sponge or soft bristle brush to avoid scratching your trailers paint Even a soft bristle brush can scratch the surface of a black trailer u...

Page 69: ...old inflation pressure o Vehicle Placard and location on the vehicle o Adverse safety consequences of under inflation including tire failure o Measuring and adjusting air pressure for proper inflation Tire Care including maintenance and safety practices Vehicle load limits including a description and explanation of the following terms o Locating and understanding the load limit information total l...

Page 70: ...icle within the limits of the GVWR so as not to overload the vehicle Understanding this flexibility will allow you the owner to make choices that fit your travel needs When loading your cargo be sure it is distributed evenly to prevent overloading front to back and side to side Heavy items should be placed low and as close to the axle positions as reasonable Too many items on one side may overload...

Page 71: ...ICLE 1 Locate the statement The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XX lbs on your vehicle s placard 2 Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers who will be riding in your vehicle 3 Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds 4 The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage capacity For ex...

Page 72: ...e that comes into contact with the road Tread Separation Pulling away of the tread from the tire carcass Tread Wear Indicators TWI The projections within the principal grooves designed to give a visual indication of the degrees of wear of the tread 9 4 TIRE SAFETY EVERYTHING RIDES ON IT The National Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA has published a brochure DOT HS 809 361 that discusses all aspe...

Page 73: ... proper tire pressure observe tire and vehicle load limits avoid road hazards and regularly inspect your tires Finding Your Vehicle s Recommended Tire Pressure and Load Limits Tire information placards and vehicle certification labels contain information on tires and load limits These labels indicate the vehicle manufacturer s information including Recommended tire size Recommended tire inflation ...

Page 74: ...en a tire is cold The term cold does not relate to the outside temperature Rather a cold tire is one that has not been driven on for at least three hours When you drive your tires get warmer causing the air pressure within them to increase Therefore to get an accurate tire pressure reading you must measure tire pressure when the tires are cold or compensate for the extra pressure in warm tires Ste...

Page 75: ... it is time to replace your tires Another method for checking tread depth is to place a penny in the tread with Lincoln s head upside down and facing you If you can see the top of Lincoln s head you are ready for new tires Tire Balance and Wheel Alignment To avoid vibration or shaking of the vehicle when a tire rotates the tire must be properly balanced This balance is achieved by positioning weig...

Page 76: ...rger the number the wider the tire Next Number This two digit number known as the aspect ratio gives the tire s ratio of height to width Numbers of 70 or lower indicate a short sidewall for improved steering response and better overall handling on dry pavement R The R stands for radial Radial ply construction of tires has been the industry standard for the past 20 years Next Number This two digit ...

Page 77: ...s use the letters ZR U S DOT Tire Identification Number This begins with the letters DOT and indicates that the tire meets all federal standards The next two numbers or letters are the plant code where it was manufactured and the last four numbers represent the week and year the tire was built For example the numbers 3197 means the 31st week of 1997 The other numbers are marketing codes used at th...

Page 78: ...er This letter indicates a tire s ability to stop on wet pavement A higher graded tire should allow you to stop your car on wet roads in a shorter distance than a tire with a lower grade Traction is graded from highest to lowest as A B and C Temperature Letter This letter indicates a tire s resistance to heat The temperature grade is for a tire that is inflated properly and not overloaded Excessiv...

Page 79: ...ssure regularly at least once a month including the spare Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the tread cracks foreign objects or other signs of wear or trauma Remove bits of glass and foreign objects wedged in the tread Make sure your Wre valves have valve caps Check tire pressure before going on a long trip Do not overload your vehicle Check the Tire Information and Loading Placard or User...

Page 80: ...atalog Edge Wear Under Inflation Adjust Pressure to Particular Load Per Tire Catalog Side Wear Loss of Camber Or Overloading Make Sure Load Does Not Exceed Axle Rating Align Trailer Toe Wear Incorrect Toe In Align Trailer Cupping Out of Balance Check Bearing Adjustment and Tire Balance Flat Spots Wheel Lockup Tire Skidding Avoid Sudden Stops When Possible Adjust Brakes CAUTION Tire wear should be ...

Page 81: ...inTech Trailers 1940 West Market Street Nappanee Indiana 46550 P 574 773 9536 F 574 773 9538 info intechtrailers com www intechtrailers com ...

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