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EARTHBOUND RECREATIONAL VEHICLE TRAILER OWNER'S MANUAL
The BRAKE CONTROLLER is activated when you apply the brakes of the tow vehicle. Your tow vehicle brakes
will automatically apply the trailer brakes first when properly adjusted. This will help keep your tow vehicle and
trailer in a straight line and make you stop as if you were driving the tow vehicle alone. If swaying or swerving
should occur, briefly operating the controller separate from the vehicle brakes may help correct the situation.
Practice this maneuver on a clear highway or deserted parking lot. Don't wait for an emergency then grope for the
controller.
When going downhill in dry weather, down shift so that engine compression will slow the whole rig down. Take
dips and depressions in the road slowly and do not resume normal driving speeds until you are sure that the trailer
wheels are clear of the dip.
WARNING
: On slippery pavement do not use engine drag to help slow down as this may cause
the rear wheels of the tow vehicle to skid. On icy pavement drive slowly and if you feel the tow vehicle
skidding gently apply the trailer brakes only. This will bring the tow vehicle and trailer back into a single
line. On snow covered roads, chains do not help the trailer wheels.
When driving in mud and sand let the momentum carry the rig through. Apply power gently and use as little
as possible. Stay in the tracks of the vehicle ahead and keep the tow vehicle in the highest possible gear. If you
get stuck it is best to tow out the entire rig together without unhitching.
Despite the best hitch you will notice that whenever a large bus or truck overtakes your rig the displaced air first
pushes the trailer rear slightly to the right and then affects the front. It may be necessary to steer very slightly,
momentarily, toward the bus or truck to help compensate for the sway induced by the passing-‐vehicle. Do not apply
the vehicle brakes, as this can tend to exaggerate the situation. You may find, however, that briefly applying the
trailer brakes with your manual control will help eliminate sway.
WARNING
: CHOCK THE TRAILER WHEELS when stopping on a hill or slope. Leaving your
tow vehicle in gear is not enough for standstill safety. Do not use trailer brakes as parking brakes.
Backing Up
In BACKING UP the important thing to remember is to DO EVERYTHING SLOWLY and to correct immediately
if you see the trailer turning the wrong way. Concentrate on the rear of the trailer. With your tow vehicle and trailer
in a straight line back up slowly and turn the bottom of the steering wheel in the direction you want the trailer to go.
Watch out the window or in the mirror until the rear of the trailer is pointing in the desired direction. Your tow
vehicle will be following the trailer in an arc. Straighten the tow vehicle and trailer by turning the steering wheel
more sharply, and then when they are in line, straighten the steering wheel.
ALWAYS TRY TO BACK TO YOUR LEFT BECAUSE THE VISIBILITY IS MUCH BETTER.
When you don't make it on the first try it is usually much easier to pull forward to your original position and start
over.