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CAUTION: Failure
to follow proper maintenance procedures or use of the trailer
for purposes other than originally intended will void your warranty.
General Checklist
Never
tow before you check the following:
1. Coupler securely engages your hitch. The coupler and hitch
ball must be rated for the same size. The size should be imprinted
on both the ball and the hitch.
2. Safety Chains are safely secured to trailer and tow vehicle
in a Chris-cross fashion under the tongue.
3. Jack is fully cranked up (and parallel to tongue if swivel
jack).
4. All fasteners / bolts are properly tightened. Pay particular
attention to the lug nuts (tightened to 85 ft-lbs).
5. Boat is securely tied down with tie-down straps. Your winch
strap is not a tie-down strap. A winch controls your boat in
a horizontal direction. Tie-downs control your boat in the vertical
direction. You must have bow-eye and transom tie down straps
securely attached whenever the trailer is in use.
6. Tires are properly inflated- read the tire sidewall to determine
the correct tire pressure required. This rating will be different
than your tow vehicle. Also check for tire wear, cracks, bubbles
or foreign objects imbedded in the tire. Bias ply trailers are
not designed for speeds in excess of 65 mph.
7. Brake lights and other trailer lights are working.
8. If the trailer is equipped with brakes, make sure they are
functioning by lightly testing before getting on a major road.
9. If the trailer is equipped with brakes, connect the breakaway
cable (located on top of actuator) to the tow vehicle.
CAUTION: Do
not exceed the maximum weight rating on your trailer.
Exceeding
the maximum rating voids the manufacturer’s warranty and may lead
to premature failure of the trailer causing damage to the boat and
creating an unsafe towing condition.
Coupler
There
are generally two types of couplers. One, the lever type is
currently being used in production. It has a lever on top of
the coupler that engages the pawl & secures the trailer
to the hitch ball. The second type of coupler is a hand-wheel
type. On the top of this coupler is a small hand-wheel that
is turned to engage/disengage the trailer from the hitch ball.
Visually inspect hitch, ball and coupler for signs of wear or
damage. Replace any parts that are worn or damaged before towing.
Be sure the coupler is secured to the hitch ball and the lock
lever or hand wheel is down and tight and locked. Clamp hand
wheel couplers hand tight only. When properly engaged, the tongue
jack will not be able to lift the trailer off of the hitch ball.
Verify that the ball is properly inside the coupler and the
coupler is not sitting on top of the ball.
CAUTION: Use
only the ball diameter indicated on your coupler - any other
ball diameter will create an extremely dangerous condition that
may result in separation from the coupler or ball failure.
Secure the safety chains. Criss-cross the safety chains under
the tongue and then securely attach the S-hooks to the tow vehicle.
Recheck tightness after initial 50 miles.
NOTE:
When attached, your boat and tow vehicle should be parallel
to the road surface. It you have questions concerning the load,
see your dealer.
Tongue Jack
Before
each use, check jack for grease. Grease as necessary with wheel
bearing grease.
Ensure that the jack is completely raised before towing. If
your trailer is equipped with a swivel jack, make sure that
the swivel jack is in the folded position - jack parallel to
the trailer tongue.
CAUTION: When placing a swivel
jack in the down position (positioned to support the weight
of the tongue) ensure the swivel pin is engaged BEFORE adding
weight to the jack or removing the trailer from the tow vehicle.
Not verifying that the swivel jack pin is engaged could cause
the jack to collapse under the weight of the tongue.
Winch Assembly
Visually
check the strap, rope, or cable and hook before each use. Never
use any strap, rope or cable that is worn, damaged, frayed or
kinked. Replace with parts from your authorized trailer parts
dealer.
Make sure the winch strap is securely attached to the boat's
bow eye. NOTE. The winch/winch strap is not designed to be the
only line securing a boat to a trailer while towing. Tie-down
straps (bow eye and transom) must be used to properly secure
your boat while towing.
CAUTION: Failure to properly secure
your boat with tie down straps can cause damage to your boat
trailer, boat and boat contents. In addition, an improperly
secured boat can create a dangerous road condition. In many
states, towing a boat without tie down straps is illegal. See
your dealer to get the proper tie down straps and learn their
correct use.
Wheels and Hubs
Lug Nuts
Check
for loose or missing lug nuts & tighten all lug nuts to
85 foot-pounds. Replace any damaged or missing lug nuts. Use
the correct size wrench when tightening lug nuts.
When on a trip, visually check the wheel hubs each time you
stop.
CAUTION: The following are signs
of bearing failure or other wheel problems:
a) Bearing grease splattered on the rim. This could be a sign
of rear seal failure, bearing lock-up or loss of grease in the
bearing.
b) Smoke from a wheel. This could indicate a dragging tire (possible
brake lock-up).
If you experience any of these problems, stop your vehicle in
a safe, secure area. You should immediately contact your dealer,
a local trailer repair
facility or the nearest automotive repair facility. Continuing
to operate
your trailer can cause damage to your trailer and your boat
and
creates an unsafe driving condition.
WARNING: Maintain proper torque
on lug nuts. Failure to do so may cause serious injury or damage.
Hubs
Perform
visual inspection of hub, bearing buddy (optional) and bearing
protector or grease cap. If any parts are damaged or missing,
replace before towing your trailer.
If equipped with buddy bearings or posi-lube spindles, apply
grease if needed (see procedure in Maintenance Procedures).
WARNING: Keep wheel bearings properly
lubricated and in good condition. Failure to do so may cause
bearing failure and possible wheel loss resulting in serious
injury and / or property damage.
Tires
Always
check tire pressure prior to each use (when tire is cold). The
proper tire pressure is listed on the tire sidewall. Please
realize that trailer tires often require a higher tire pressure
than the tow vehicle.
WARNING: Keep tires properly inflated.
Failure to maintain correct pressure may result in tire wear,
tire failure and loss of control resulting in serious injury
or property damage.
Ensure that tire treads are visible and there are no slick surfaces
on the tires. The penny can be used to verify remaining tread.
Insert a penny into the tread; if Abe Lincoln's head is not
touched by the top of the tread, there is not enough tread life
on the tires. Replace the tires before towing your trailer.
WARNING: If your tires have bubbles,
deep cracks, insufficient tread, or show signs of tread separation
DO NOT OPERATE YOUR TRAILER until
replacing all defective tires.
Brakes
Brake System (General)
Before
each use check brake fluid in reservoir on brake actuator. Refill
as necessary using DOT 3 heavy-duty brake fluid to 3/8 inch below
the top of the reservoir.
If your trailer is equipped with disc brakes, ensure that the
solenoid wire is securely attached to the tow vehicle's brake
wire. The trailer’s solenoid wire is a separate wire at the front
of the trailer (near the actuator). You need to attach this wire
to a wire from the tow vehicle. The wire from the tow vehicle
operates off of the tow vehicle’s reverse lights. When you put
the tow vehicle in reverse, the power that illuminates the tow
vehicle’s reverse lights also applies power to the solenoid (releasing
the brakes). Improperly (or not) engaging the reverse solenoid
will result in brakes locking while backing-up the trailer and
could cause damage to your trailer and your tow vehicle.
If the trailer is equipped with brakes, connect the breakaway
cable (located on top of actuator) to the tow vehicle.
Immediately after hook-up, always test and confirm that trailer
brakes are operating properly before attaining normal road speed.
NOTE: To prolong the life of your
brakes: after you back up your trailer to park the trailer then
ease forward approximately two inches. This will pull the actuator
forward, relieving the pressure on the brake components
Electrical
Lights
Ensure
both the wire harness connector from the tow vehicle and from
the trailer are free of debris and water.
Verify that the white ground wire on the trailer is securely
attached to the trailer frame.
If your trailer lights have an independent grounding circuit,
verify the grounds from the trailer lights are securely attached
to the trailer frame.
Properly secure the wire harness from the trailer to the wire
harness connection from the tow vehicle.
Check to ensure the brake and turn signal lights correctly illuminate.
Check for burned out or broken bulbs, cracked or broken lenses,
etc. Replace any non-working or damaged parts through your trailer
dealer. A small amount of electrical socket grease on plug contacts
and light bulb bases can be used to prevent rust and corrosion.
NOTE: Disconnecting the wire harness
connections prior to submerging the trailer may reduce
the risk of light bulb failure, fuse failure or other electrical
problems.
WARNING: Operating a trailer without
working lights is both dangerous and illegal. Always ensure
your lights are working before taking your trailer on the
road.
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