PAGE 42 — WT5C SERIES WATER TRAILER • OPERATION MANUAL — REV. #6 (05/28/21)
TRAILER SAFETY GUIDELINES
If the coupler cannot be secured to the hitch ball, do not
tow the trailer. Call your dealer for assistance. Lower the
trailer so that its entire tongue weight is held by the hitch and
continue retracting the jack to its fully retracted position.
Attaching Safety Chain
Visually inspect the safety chains and hooks for wear or
damage. Replace worn or damaged safety chains and
hooks before towing.
Attach the safety chains so that they:
• Cross underneath the coupler. See Figure E.
Figure E. Attaching Safety Chain (Ball Hitch)
• Loop around a frame member of the tow vehicle or holes
provided in the hitch system (DO NOT attach them to
an interchangeable part of the hitch assembly).
• Have enough slack to permit tight turns, but not be
close to the road surface, so if the trailer uncouples, the
safety chains can hold the tongue up above the road.
.
NOTICE
Overloading can damage the tongue jack.
DO NOT
use the tongue jack to raise the tow vehicle more than
one inch.
CROSS BOTH
SAFETY CHAINS
IMPORTANT!
TRAILER
TONGUE
SAFETY CHAIN
MASTER LINK
TOW
VEHICLE
WARNING
Improper rigging of the safety chains can result in
loss of control of the trailer and tow vehicle, leading
to death or serious injury, if the trailer uncouples from
the tow vehicle.
• Fasten chains to frame of tow vehicle. DO NOT fasten
chains to any part of the hitch unless the hitch has
holes or loops specifi cally for that purpose.
• Cross chains underneath hitch and coupler with
enough slack to permit turning and to hold tongue
up, if the trailer comes loose.
Breakaway Brake System
If the coupler or hitch fails, a properly connected and
working breakaway brake system (Figure F) will apply the
hydraulic brakes on the trailer. The safety chains will keep
the tow vehicle attached and as the brakes are applied at
the trailer’s axles, the trailer/tow vehicle combination will
come to a controlled stop.
Figure F. Breakaway Brake System
Breakaway Cable Surge Brake System
The breakaway brake system includes a brake cable
connected to the tow vehicle on one end and to the
emergency brake lever located on the hydraulic actuator
on the other end.
Breakaway Lever
Connect Cable
to Tow Vehicle
Breakaway Switch
Connect Cable
to Tow Vehicle
Hydraulic Actuator
Electric Actuator
WARNING
• An ineffective breakaway brake system can result in
a runaway trailer, leading to death or serious injury,
if the coupler or ball hitch fails.
• Connect the breakaway cable to the tow vehicle and
NOT to the hitch, ball or support.
• Before towing the trailer, test the function of the
breakaway brake system. If the breakaway brake
system is not working, DO NOT tow the trailer. Have
it serviced or repaired.
NOTICE
DO NOT tow the trailer with the breakaway brake
system ON because the brakes will overheat which
can result in permanent brake failure.
NOTICE
Replace the breakaway brake battery (if equipped) at
intervals specifi ed by manufacturer.
