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EARTHBOUND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE TRAILER OWNER'S MANUAL
HITCHING UP
Hitching up your trailer is something that will become almost second nature with practice. The following section
includes proper hitch load distribution and a procedure for hitching up.
WARNING
: The tongue weight should he approximately 10% of the trailer's total weight, but MUST NOT
EXCEED 1,000 lbs. And, under no condition should it exceed the hitch rating. Your hitch installer should
provide your hitch rating information
.
Sway Control Device
Although Earthbound RV has not performed testing of sway control devices, we find the vast majority of
Earthbound's owners purchases sway-‐control devices. When passed by large trucks or when exposed to
sudden crosswinds the trailer will be "pushed" and this action will be felt in the tow vehicle. It's our
understanding the sway control devices will reduce the amount of movement and make towing more
comfortable and add some safety.
Should you purchase a sway control device, please be sure to follow the directions of the sway control manufacturer
when having it installed and using it.
Steps for Hitching Up
Jack up the trailer hitch until there is clearance for the HITCH BALL to slide under it. Remove the safety pin, slide
the locking lever forward and raise. Back the tow vehicle straight back to the hitch. This can best be
accomplished with prearranged hand signals with the help of another person, but, if you are hitching up by yourself,
we recommend the use of a HOOK-‐UP VIEW MIRROR.
Lower the trailer hitch onto the hitch ball. Then close the locking lever and insert safety pin.
Attach the leveling bars according to the manufacturer's instructions.
The hitch ball should be level to slightly higher. Readjust leveling bars until this condition is
correct by increasing or decreasing the length the chain engaged in “A” frame saddle bracket. Short
chain raises hitch ball, longer chain lowers it. A level condition will result in the best balance for
towing and steering control as the weight-equalizing hitch distributes the hitch load.
A low hitch ball increases tail wagging tendencies by lowering the nose of the trailer, thus changing
the center of support for the trailer and reducing the weight on the four wheels of the tow vehicle.
With proper hitch installation and hitching up, the bar should have a noticeable amount of the
deflection or bending. A little practice with your rig will teach you how far to pull the bar; you may
wish to mark the chain links that match your rig.
Always choose level ground for checking correct hookup.
If you are unfamiliar with the proper steps for hitching up your travel trailer, it is highly
recommended that you review this procedure with your dealer until you are comfortable with the
proper steps.
Note:
If you're tow vehicle is equipped with adjustable load leveling air shocks, you must load the tow vehicle first
with typical luggage and passengers and bring it back to level. Then attach the trailer and adjust the load leveling bars.
Otherwise, the air shocks on the tow vehicle will overload the rear wheels.
Do not use air shocks to
level tow
vehicle and trailer after hitching up
.
Note:
Leveling the trailer end to end, then measuring from the ground to the inside top of the ball socket determines
hitch ball height for the tow vehicle Attach the safety chains to the welded portion of the hitch or tow vehicle's frame,
but never to the removable ball mount. Cross the safety chains under the hitch.
