Malibu Boats Wakesetter 20VTX 2018, Руководство пользователя, Страница: 137 / 200

through which the safety cables can be attached. Holes or rings should be on both sides of the hitch ball.
Most states require that the safety cables should be criss-crossed under the trailer tongue prior to
being attached to the other hole or ring location. If the trailer should disengage, these cables should be
able to prevent the trailer tongue from falling onto the tow surface.
The cables should be attached as tautly as possible but still allow for turning, including close-quarters
turns.
The trailer also is equipped with a surge-brake breakaway cable. This cable, explained further in this
Owner’s Manual, must also be attached to the tow vehicle frame, securely but allowing for turns.
Safety cables and the breakaway cable must be securely attached to the tow vehicle,
while allowing for turns. Failure to do so could result in serious injury or death, as
well as property damage to other persons and vehicles on the road if the trailer
becomes disengaged from the tow vehicle.
A truck or van with a “step bumper” requires eye-bolt or equivalent safety cable attachment, which
meets the Society of Automotive Engineers: SAE J684 Standard.
BREAKAWAY CABLE
The purpose of the breakaway cable is to immediately activate the trailer’s brakes if the cable
becomes detached from the tow vehicle. To avoid an unplanned or unnecessary activation, a
small, metal clip is installed adjacent to the indicator bead. In the event of an actual breakaway,
this clip will not prevent the designed action, but the clip prevents activation when there are
small, inadvertent tugs on the cable.
If the clip is destroyed during an actual breakaway, it should be replaced as soon as possible.
New clips are available through your authorized Malibu dealer. In fact, it is a good idea to
purchase and keep a few extra clips in the tow vehicle glove box.
If the breakaway cable has been activated, it is necessary to reset the cable prior to operating
the trailer again. If pushing on the bracket does not release the braking or if it seems to work
improperly, it may be necessary to insert a pry bar into the 5/16” hole behind the bracket. Use
the pry bar with care. Gently push the push rod backwards to relive the load on the bracket.
Then push up on the bracket and hold while releasing the pry bar. The push rod release bracket
should move freely and the brakes should release.
Be certain to reset the actuator. To do this, extend the actuator completely. Remove the
cap from the top and pull the plug from the top of the reservoir cover. Manually compress the
actuator while verifying that there is a slight movement of the fluid inside the reservoir. If it
does, then the actuator is operating correctly. If not, seek assistance from an authorized Malibu
or Axis dealer.
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
A range between five percent (5%) to ten percent (10%) of the total weight on the trailer must rest at the coupling ball when
the tongue is parallel to the ground. This determination can be made with a bathroom scale, provided you know the total weight
of the trailer, boat and items on-board.
Some vehicle manufacturers limit tongue weight to a maximum of two hundred (200) pounds when using certain types of weight-
carrying, bumper-mounted hitches. Check the tow vehicle’s Owner’s Manual to determine the correct distribution.
Failure to properly distribute weight in the boat and across the trailer can result in the trailer fish-tailing (swaying
from side-to-side) in a dangerous fashion that puts not only the total rig at risk but also other vehicles and persons
on the road. Adequate download on the hitch ball is critical!
Malibu Owners Manual • 2018 • Trailers • Page 5-4