9
Important Trailer Safety Information
Tow Vehicles
WARNING: Serious injury or property damage can
result if the total weight of your loaded trailer
exceeds the capacity of the hitch and/or your tow
vehicle.
AVERTISSEMENT: Des blessures graves ou de
dommages à la propriété peuvent survenir sir le
poids total de la remorque chargée excède la
capacité de l'attelage et/ou du véhicule
remorqueur.
It is very important that you know and understand the
towing capabilities of your tow vehicle. This is espe-
cially true with the braking abilities of the tow vehicle.
You should check with your authorized dealer to see
what the capabilities are for the total towing load and
the maximum allowable tongue weight for the vehicle
you plan on using for towing.
It is also important that the lighting system in the tow
vehicle has sufficient capacity support the additional
load the trailer lighting will add to the system. A heavy
duty flasher may be required to make your turn signals
function properly.
Trailer Ball & Couplers
WARNING: Failure to properly engage the hitch ball
in the coupler ball socket and securely lock the
coupler latch mechanism can cause the trailer to
become detached from the tow vehicle while trav-
eling, which may cause serious injury or property
damage.
AVERTISSEMENT: Le non-respect d'engager
correctement la boule d'attache dans la cavité de la
boule de l'attelage et de verrouiller solidement le
mécanisme du loquet de l'attelage pourrait mener
la remorque à se détacher du véhicule remorqueur
pendant le déplacement, ce qui pourrait causer des
blessures graves ou des dommages à la propriété.
Ball diameter for which rating (GVWR) shall not exceed
the gross trailer weight marked on the trailer coupler.
The hitch balls have the rated load they are capable of
towing stamped Into the top of the ball.
Make sure the ball that you use to tow your trailer has
the same capacity rating as the coupler.
Do not use a different size ball than the size the coupler is
designed to use.
Hitch Coupler Troubleshooting
If the coupler becomes damaged it must be repaired or
replaced before towing. When the coupler is placed on
the ball, the latch should close firmly. Keep the latch
mechanism lightly oiled and clean. Items to check for
are as follows:
1.
Latch does not grasp ball securely:
•
Check the ball size. Make sure the ball and
coupler are the same size.
2.
Latch does not snap into full latch position:
•
Check adjustment. Latch mechanism may be
too tight.
•
Check to see that the coupler housing has not
been damaged, keeping the ball hitch from
fitting completely into the housing as designed.
3.
Keep the tongue blocked up when not in use so the
coupler and mechanism are not in the ground
being exposed to dirt and moisture.
4.
Apply a small amount of an automotive grease to
the ball before hitching coupler to prevent wear of
the two parts during towing.
5.
Make sure the latch safety pin is in position before
towing.
Coupler & Ball Engagement
If the coupler and towing ball resist attempts to make
engagement, do not force latch assembly. Instead,
check the ball diameter to verify that it conforms to
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) specifications.
Standard two-inch diameter ball should be within the
limits of 2.000-inches to 1.970-inches. Balls larger than
2.000- inches will not readily fit the coupler. A two-piece
coupler ball is not recommended.
If the coupler becomes damaged it must be repaired or
replaced before towing. When the coupler is placed on
the ball, the latch should close firmly. Keep the latch
mechanism lightly oiled and clean.
Improper engagement of the coupler and ball can
cause damage if the vehicles separate in transit, thus,
caution must be exercised to insure a secure hook-up.
Lower the coupler onto the ball with the coupler latch in
the vertical position. Continue to lower the trailer
tongue until the jack clears the ground, then flip the
coupler latch to its locked (horizontal) position. At this
point visually observe that the ball is fully engaged in
the ball hitch. An even better check to make sure the
two are fully engaged is to raise the tongue of the trailer
again using the jack. Raise until the ball hitch connec-
tion starts to raise the rear of the tow vehicle. If the
connection was not properly made, the ball and socket
will separate as the tongue of the trailer is raised.
Class
Coupler
Ball Diameter
II
3,500# GVWR
2”
III
5,000# GVWR
2”
IV
8,000# GVWR
2”
Shark SMT Operator’s Manual 9.800-504.0 - E
Содержание 1.103-841.0
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