7
•
Make sure the cables are not too long — the cables
should not hang down to the extent they may catch on
obstructions, or drag on the ground. This much slack could
cause damage to the towing system, the towed vehicle,
or the motorhome.
If the cables are too long, wrap the excess cable around
the tow bar to take up the slack.
Make sure there is
enough slack in the cables at the motorhome to allow
for sharp turns.
•
Damage caused by using safety cables of an incorrect
length is not covered under warranty.
•
Always cross the cables under the hitch receiver, as
shown in Figure 9 under “Proper installation of safety ca-
bles.” . In the unlikely event the tow bar separates from
the motorhome, crossing the cables will help prevent the
tow bar from dragging on the ground, which can cause
the tow bar to “pole vault” the towed vehicle.
HOW TO USE SAFETY CABLES
Safety cables are an integral part of your towing system.
They are a secondary safety device, required by law in
many states. This section and the following section will
acquaint you with how to use them properly.
•
The safety cables must connect the towing vehicle to
the towed vehicle, frame to frame.
•
The safety cables must be rated at 8,000 pounds weight
capacity per pair, or higher. This is the maximum weight
capacity of the tow bar — the towed vehicle and all its
contents cannot exceed 8,000 pounds.
•
Pull the safety cables so that all the slack is at the mo-
torhome.
Make sure there is enough slack in the cables
at the motorhome to allow for sharp turns
— if there
is not enough slack, the towing system will be severely
damaged when the motorhome turns a sharp corner.
•
The safety cables must be the correct length…
•
Make sure the cables are not too short — if you use
a receiver hitch extension or other equipment that ex-
tends the distance between the towed vehicle and the
motorhome, the standard cables may be too short. If the
cables are too short, the towing system will be severely
damaged when the motorhome turns a sharp corner.
(Safety cable extensions in a variety of lengths are
available from ROADMASTER.)
