If you are new to travel trailering, please read the following information before hooking up and heading out. It doesn't take long, and it just might save your trailer or your life.

WEIGHT AND EQUIPMENT SELECTION

Refer to the owner's manual of your tow vehicle, trailer and other parts of your towing system. Learn the capabilities and limitations of each part. Two of the most important terms to learn are Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight. Gross Trailer Weight is the weight of the trailer plus all cargo. Measure Gross Trailer Weight by putting the fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. Tongue Weight is the downward force exerted on the hitch ball by the trailer coupler. Measure Tongue Weight with the fully loaded trailer on a level surface. The coupler must be at its normal towing height. Use a commercial scale or a bathroom scale. For heavy tongue weights, set up the bathroom scale as shown. These weights must never exceed the lowest rating of any part of your towing system.

YOUR TOWING EQUIPMENT

Trailer Hitches, Receivers, and Ball Mounts
Select by Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight ratings. Ratings vary depending on whether weight distribution equipment is used. Match the products according to the anticipated use. Use only those products designed for your vehicle.

Hitch Balls
Select by Gross Trailer Weight rating, mounting platform thickness and hole size, and coupler socket size. Do not mix one class of hitch ball with another class of coupler. The platform where the ball is mounted must be at least 3/8" thick. The hole must not exceed the size of the threaded shank diameter by more than 1/16". Use a lock washer and tighten the nut per instructions. When tightened, the shank must protrude beyond the bottom of the nut at least one full thread. The Gross Trailer Weight rating and ball diameter are marked on hitch balls.

Trailer Couplers
The coupler socket should be smooth, clean, and lightly lubricated. Tighten or adjust the socket per the coupler manufacturer's instructions. Use the proper class type.

Safety Chains
Connect safety chains properly every time you tow. Cross chains under the coupler. This is done to cradle the trailer tongue in the event the ball and coupler separate. Attach the chains securely to the trailer hitch or tow vehicle so they can't bounce loose. Leave only enough slack to permit full turning. Too much slack may prevent chains from maintaining control if other connections separate. To avoid chain degradation, don't let your chains drag on the road.

Trailer Lights, Turn Signals, Electric Brakes, and Break Away Switch Connections
Make these safety-critical connections every time you tow, no matter how short the trip. Check operation, including the electric brake manual control, before getting on the road.

Sway Control and Weight Distribution Equipment
Sway controls can lesson the effects of sudden maneuvers, wind gusts, and buffeting caused by other vehicles. We strongly recommend them. Adjustable friction models can help control trailers with low tongue weight. Weight distribution equipment reduces sway and distributes part of the trailer weight to the front axle of your tow vehicle.

Other Useful Equipment
Air springs, air shocks, helper springs and transmission coolers may be necessary for heavy towing. Many states require towing mirrors on both sides.

Tire Inflation
Check often. Follow tow vehicle and trailer manufacturers recommendations. Improper tire inflation can cause uncontrollable trailer sway. A flat tire with a single-axle trailer can be very dangerous.

Check Your Equipment & Replace Worn Parts
Check ball, coupler, chains, retaining pins and clips, and all other connectors every time you tow. Re-check at fuel and rest stops.

SAFE TOWING TIPS

No Passengers in Trailers
Never, under any circumstance, allow people to ride in trailers while towing.

Trailer Loading
Proper loading helps prevent sway. Place heavy objects on the floor ahead of the axle. Balance the load side-to-side. Secure it to prevent shifting. The Tongue Weight should be 10-15 percent of the Gross Trailer Weight. Too low a percentage of Tongue Weight can cause sway. Never load the trailer rear-heavy. Load the trailer heavier in the front.

Driving
The additional weight of a trailer affects acceleration, braking and handling. Allow extra time for passing, stopping and changing lanes. Severe bumps can damage your towing vehicle, hitch and trailer. Drive slowly on rough roads. Stop and make a thorough inspection if any part of your towing system strikes the road. Correct any problems and replace any damaged parts before resuming travel.

Check for Excessive Sway and Eliminate It
Normal sway motion should settle out quickly. Excessive sway can lead to a loss of control and should not be tolerated. Sway tends to increase on a downgrade. Starting slowly, increase speed in gradual steps. If sway occurs, adjust your trailer load and equipment. Repeat until the trailer is stable at highway speed. Do this whenever your trailer loading changes.

If Trailer Suddenly Starts to Sway
Turbulence from another vehicle, a wind gust, or a downgrade can cause sudden sway. So can a shift of the trailer's load or a trailer tire blowout. If the trailer sways, address the situation immediately. Below are suggestions that may apply, depending on conditions:

DO

• Reduce your speed gradually.
• Hold the steering wheel as steady as possible.
• Apply electric brakes alone at the brake controller, without using the tow vehicle's brakes.

DON'T

• Don't hit your brake pedal hard unless absolutely necessary. A jackknife can result.
• Don't try to steer out of the sway condition. Sudden or violent steering can make it worse.
• Don't speed up. Sway increases as you go faster.
• Don't continue towing a trailer that tends to sway. You may lose control during an emergency maneuver or if the conditions listed above occur.