PAGE 46 — WT5HP/WTE5HP/WT5HPSG WATER TRAILERS • OPERATION MANUAL — REV. #1 (03/14/17)
TRAILER SAFETY GUIDELINES
the ball andcoupler system. All bent or broken coupler parts
must be replaced before towing the trailer.
THE TOW VEHICLE, PINTLE HITCH AND PINTLE
COUPLER MUST HAVE A RATED TOWING CAPACITY
EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE TRAILER
Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
.
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE PINTLE HITCH BE OF THE
SAME SIZE AS THE PINTLE COUPLER.
The coupler size and load rating (capacity) are marked on
the coupler. Hitch capacity is marked on the hitch.
Rock the pintle eye coupler to make sure it is secured
tightly to the hitch.
Wipe the inside and outside of the pintle coupler. Clean
and inspect it visually for cracks and deformations. Feel
the inside of the coupler for worn spots and pits.
Be sure the coupler is secured tightly to the tongue of the
trailer. All coupler fasteners must be visibly solid against
the trailer frame.
Raise the bottom surface of the coupler to be above the
top of the pintle hitch hook. Use the tongue jackstand
to support the trailer tongue. Wood or concrete blocks
may also be used.
WARNING
Coupler-to-hitch mismatch can result in uncoupling,
leading to death or serious injury.
Be sure the LOAD RATING of the pintle hitch hook is
equal or greater than the load rating of the pintle eye
coupler.
Be sure the SIZE of the pintle hitch hook matches the
size of the pintle eye coupler.
WARNING
A worn, cracked or corroded pintle hitch hook can fail
while towing, and may result in death or serious injury.
Before coupling trailer, inspect the pintle hitch hook for
wear, corrosion and cracks.
Replace worn or damaged pintle hitch hook.
Coupling Trailer to Tow Vehicle (Pintle Coupler)
Slowly back up the tow vehicle so that the pintle
hitch hook is near or aligned under the pintle eye ring
coupler.
Using the jackstand at the front of trailer (tongue), turn
the jackstand crank handle to raise the trailer. If the pintle
eye coupler does not line up with the pintle hitch hook,
adjust the position of the tow vehicle.
OPEN the pintle hook locking mechanism (Figure H).
Place the hook inside the eye coupler. CLOSE the pintle
hook mechanism.
Figure H. Attaching Safety Chain (Pintle Hitch)
Insert a pin or lock through the hole in the locking
mechanism.
Be sure the pintle hook is inserted completely through
the eye ring and the locking mechanism 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 by1-inch after the coupler is locked to the
hitch.
Lower the trailer so that its entire tongue weight is held
by the hitch.
Raise the jackstand to a height where it will not interfere
with the road.
WARNING
A defective pintle hitch not properly fastened can result
in uncoupling, leading to death or serious injury.
Be sure the pintle hook is securly tighten to the tow
vehicle before coupling the trailer.
TRAILER
TONGUE
SAFETY CHAIN
MASTER LINK
TOW
VEHICLE
CROSS BOTH
SAFETY CHAINS
IMPORTANT!
PINTLE
HOOK
PINTLE
RING “EYE”
SAFETY
CHAIN
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