Tow Vehicle

• Know your tow vehicle. Do not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your tow vehicle as specified by the manufacturer.
• Check the GVWR rating on the hitch or bumper to make sure it meets or exceeds the GVWR rating on the trailer.
• Check hitch ball to make sure it is the same size as the trailer coupler. Also, the hitch ball should meet or exceed the GVWR of the trailer. Periodically lubricate the ball and visually check for any signs of deterioration. With excessive wear, hitch balls can come loose from the trailer coupler.
• If you are towing with a vehicle that did not come with a factory installed towing package, make sure to install a transmission cooler and a heavy-duty turn signal switch.
• Your tow vehicle should have properly installed fastener points (either links or rings) for the trailer's safety chains. These fastener points are part of the equalizer hitch. If you are using a bumper or a straight frame hitch, you may need to have fastener points added to the tow vehicle.
• Check your tow vehicle's tire pressure. When you add the hitch weight to tires that are improperly inflated, tread wear will be greatly accelerated.
• Make sure the mirrors are wide enough to see the back corner of the trailer. Most trucks have adequate mirrors, but most automobiles will require add-on extended mirrors that can be purchased at almost any auto or RV parts supplier.
• When you are hitched to the trailer, make sure both the tow vehicle and trailer ride level. If the hitch weight makes the tow vehicle "squat" in the rear, you will need to purchase an equalizer hitch to eliminate this problem. A tow vehicle that rides low in the rear will not steer properly and may cause damage to the rear axle, hubs, and tires from an overload situation.
• If you are towing with an automatic transmission, you should never tow in overdrive.

Trailer

• Know your trailer. Do not overload. Stay within your Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) capacity. Refer to your trailer's identification plate for the GVWR.
• Follow the axle manufacturer's recommendations for checking lug nuts on wheels.
• If the trailer has been idle for several months, it is a good idea to grease the bearings as condensation can build up in the bearings. Regular use keeps the bearings free of moisture.
• Check tire pressure on trailer regularly and keep inflated per the PSI listed on the sidewall of the tire.
• Scale your trailer after it is loaded to make sure it does not exceed the GVWR. Make sure the hitch weight is between 10 and 15 percent of the trailers loaded weight. For example: A trailer that weighs 10,000 lb. loaded should have a hitch weight no less than 1,000 lb. and no more than 1,500 lb.
• Check your coupler periodically for adequate lubrication. A dry coupler and hitch ball will cause excessive wear. This will result in coupler or component replacement.
• Make sure you have a pin or padlock to secure the latching lever on the coupler. Without properly securing the latching lever, it could accidentally disengage allowing the coupler to jump off the ball.
• We equip all their new trailers with breakaway systems that meet Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) standards. When coupling your trailer to your tow vehicle, be sure your battery is fully charged and the breakaway switch cable is secured to the tow vehicle.
• Make sure your trailer's safety chains have a rating that meets or exceeds the GVWR of the trailer. We manufacture all our trailers with chains that exceed the GVWR rating of the trailer. Securely latch the chains to links (or rings) on the tow vehicle. Be sure to cross the chains before you attach them to your tow vehicle. This crossing technique creates a cradle to catch the coupler should it disengage from the tow vehicle preventing it from dragging or plowing into the road. This will enable you to stop more safely in such an emergency. Do not allow the chains to drag on the road surface because over time this will weaken the chains and lessen their effectiveness. All ball coupler hitch trailers are required to have safety chains.
• Make sure all doors are closed and locked while in transit. Make sure all roof vents and windows are securely closed.
• Make sure your load has been properly secured so is does not shift while you are towing.
• Before each trip, check the operation of all lights on the tow vehicle and trailer.
• Before each trip check the trailer's brakes and make sure they are properly adjusted for the load you are carrying. Remember . . . it takes more room (and time) to stop a heavier loaded trailer than a light one. Anticipate stops and don't tailgate.
• Use common sense when towing a trailer. Watch your speed (maximum posted speed limit on any interstate highway is 60 mph). Make your turns a bit wider to accommodate your trailer.

Maintenance & General Safety

WHAT KIND OF MAINTENANCE DOES MY TRAILER NEED AND HOW OFTEN?

Your new trailer is just like any other piece of equipment or tool. The best way to know exactly what to do is always refer to the owner’s manual. In most cases, the wheel bearings need to be lubricated periodically. The tire air pressure needs to be checked and corrected at least every season change, the lights need to be checked to make sure all lights are working, and all the hinges and locks need to be checked and lubricated as needed.

WILL MY PICKUP TRUCK PULL A TRAILER, AND IF SO, HOW BIG OF A TRAILER WILL IT PULL?

This question has several answers.

First is this, we cannot tell you how big a trailer your tow vehicle will pull, or if it will pull a trailer at all, there are too many variables. It is easier to first call the manufacturer of the vehicle, (Ford, Chevy, Dodge etc…) or read the owners manual that came with the vehicle, and see if it can and what tow capacity of the vehicle is.

Once this is discovered, it is best to figure out what and how much you plan to put in the trailer. A good way to see how much room is needed is to look through our selection, take a guess on what size you think you may need, and then go to your driveway. Measure out about the same dimensions on the driveway of the trailer you think you may want. Mark these boundaries out.

For example, if you choose a 7 X 12 foot trailer, measure out and make a 7-foot wide, by 12-foot long area, and then place what you plan to put in the trailer, in this space. If it fits and you have a small amount of room left over, you are probably in good shape. If not, you may have to adjust one way or another.

IS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN TOWING DIFFERENT FROM WHEN I AM NOT TOWING THE TRAILER?

There are a few basic logical tips for safe and comfortable towing:

A. The addition of a trailer to your vehicle lengthens the total wheelbase, when turning it is necessary to widen the turning circle to avoid hitting curbs.

B. Remember that the addition of a trailer and its load will increase your stopping distance, so leave more room for braking, as this may take some time to get used to, you may want to find a safe place to just drive around and get used to it.

C. Do not exceed the maximum towing weight for the tow vehicle.

D. Remember when reversing, steer the opposite way to the direction in which you need the trailer to travel, you will find minor changes in turning will sometimes make major changes in direction. This requires a lot of practice to become good.

WHAT IS A BREAKAWAY KIT AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

This is a small device that is attached to the frame of the trailer, along with a small battery. If ever your trailer becomes unhooked from your tow vehicle, this device will go into action.

What happens is a small pin is pulled out of a sensor that tells the system the trailer is no longer hooked up. It will then apply the brakes on the trailer to bring it to a stop as quickly as possible. The trailer must have electric brakes to have this equipment.

HOW DO I CORRECTLY POSITION THE LOAD IN MY TRAILER?

To maintain towing safety it is extremely important that the trailer is loaded correctly and that the towing height of the trailer is correct. When coupling an unloaded trailer, check to see that the front of the trailer is slightly higher than the rear of the trailer. Also, take account of the effect of any possible loads to be added to the tow vehicle when calculating this.

If the trailer nose is too high or too low it is possible that handling difficulties will result. Never try to vary or adapt the trailer tow bar or coupling.

When loading a trailer it is vital that a POSITIVE nose weight is achieved. Loading cars of front-engine design means that the car should be driven up forwards into the trailer until the tow vehicle's suspension just starts to settle. (We recommend that rear engine cars should be driven in reverse onto the trailer.) You might find it tows better.

WHY ARE OIL AND TRANSMISSION COOLERS NECESSARY?

Anytime you tow something, you add additional weight to your vehicle. Heat can and will damage the drive train. We recommend adding the coolers to reduce this heat as much as possible. This will reduce the heat in the engine and transmission. That way you can reduce the overall cost to maintain your tow vehicle. You may also want to look at adding extra cooling fans for the cooling system and/or a large radiator for your vehicle.

WHEN IT IS NOT BEING USED, HOW SHOULD I STORE MY TRAILER?

This question is best answered like this. You made a good investment on this trailer, and you want it to last a long time. We recommend that you do park it somewhere where you can look it over occasionally to insure that it does not need something, like air in a tire, or a tree has not fallen on it.

In addition, a bath occasionally with a light coat of wax will help to maintain the overall appearance and value of the trailer. Also, if your trailer has been sitting a while, check the tires carefully, if they are under inflated, or dry rotted, you may want to correct this concern before you end up on the side of the road changing a tire.

By the way, remember, you only get flat tires, when you have to be somewhere at a certain time and it is raining, or snowing or 100 degrees outside. If you keep that in mind when you are hooking up, you should not have any tire problems. Also, check for bug, and pest or animal infestation. They seem to like to hide in trailers that sit for long periods and they can do a lot of damage in a short time.