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OPS COVER-2012 - MGS Incorporated

1. OPERATIONS MANUAL INCORPORATED E INNOVATORS AND MANUFACTURERS OF TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT OMSLSGN0014 10 12 INCORPORATED s INNOVATORS AND MANUFACTURERS OF TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT TRAILER OPERATIONS MANUAL This User s Manual contains safety information and instructions for your trailer You must read this manual before loading or towing your trailer You must follow all safety precautions and instructions MGS INCORPORATED 178 MUDDY CREEK CHURCH ROAD DENVER PA 17517 PHONE 800 952 4228 717 336 7528 FAX 717 336 0514 info mgsmail com WWW mgsincorporated com 1 Contents General Safety Information 1 1 Safety Alert Symbols anid Wotds s iicvit suds ecru ablel ts teu snide Deraivah tisadi wae ds deae aaa aaoi 5 12 Major Hazards ieie Mi ydtad anes dawned sian EEA sat Wass cow aa a iaa ERSA ERA etedn tack EA TI ae tenets 5 1 2 1 Improper Sizing of the Trailer to the Tow Vehicle 0 cect eee e ees 5 12 2 Dertvinestoo Hast moraa ene eld iain A A EE La nae aad eed ae ag Aa a pa EE de 6 1 2 3 Failure to Adjust Driving Behavior When Towing a Trailer 0 0 0 cece nent 6 1 2 4 Trailer Not Properly Coupled to the Hitch 0 eee ne cence cere ee ee eens 6 1 2 5 Proper Use of Safety Chains i ri tau stedi yes e agaes coed soos ia ie Dad tag ba hod dine eR i aeai 7 1 2 6 Proper Connection of Breakaway Brake 0 00 c cece cece eee eee ene e nee eee eee 7 127
2. An ineffective breakaway brake system can result in a runaway trailer leading to death or serious injury if the coupler or ball hitch fails Connect the breakaway cable to the tow vehicle and NOT to the hitch ball or support Before towing the trailer test the function of the breakaway brake system If the breakaway brake system is not working do not tow the trailer Have it serviced or repaired Do not tow the trailer with the breakaway brake system ON because the brakes will overheat which can result in permanent brake failure A WARNING Failure to replace the pullpin will prevent brakes from working leading to loss of control serious injury or death If you do not use your trailer for three or more months or during winter months store the battery indoors and charge the battery every three months Replace 1f needed Also replace the breakaway brake battery according to the intervals specified by battery manufacturer Connect the trailer lights to the tow vehicle s electrical system using the electrical connectors Check all lights for proper operation Clearance and Running Lights Turn on tow vehicle headlights Brake Lights Step on tow vehicle brake pedal Turn Signals Operate tow vehicle directional signal lever Check electric brakes for proper operation using brake controller mounted in the cab If your trailer has electric brakes your tow vehicle will have an electric brake cont
3. Matchirio Trailer and Hitch tssessis sed teewholedes ress aat edap eo agi en a a AAE age 7 1 2 8 Worn Tires Loose Wheels and Lug Nuts s ssiiserissriisesriisrrirrrrrrsrisrerritrriirrrrien 7 1 2 9 Improper Loadiney uss aiccsianeeak din sei Nes fo Gives weg dag ds D2 awk RAS IAR edad tad abs TROT dan Gerda EALA ATD 8 1 2 10 Unsafe Load Distribution 000 0 6 ccc enn n nnn nnn debe Ee nnn eee ees 8 PATIN Shitting Cargo sere anA op ia Seeded Goan EERE EEEE TAEA EOR A tiie 9 1 212 Inappropriate Caro Ororen ie tE E E a E E E tinder ie EE EEA E ead iat ta 9 1 2 13 Inoperable Brakes Lights or Mifrors s ssssssisisssririsssrrrrrrrirsrrrrrirrrrrrirrirerrrrrrr 9 1 2 14 Hazards From Modifying Your Trailer 0 0000 0 ener renee nee es 10 W275 Tr iler Towing Guides ner taciice dete Gace ye si era Sis ba Dea tees ee nag tea deep 10 1 216 Reporting Safety Defects irasos ipnr aA eeoMiawylgh Modular aah sepia lags ea Manat E i 10 1 2 17 Safety Warning Labels on Your Trailer 0 0 0 e net ne rene ee nes 11 13 Safe Trailer lowing Guidelines hrern rt E e feed AA tes and ar AEA ERT abet ears 12 Tire Safety Information 2A AR paler Lire Ti FOrin at Ones cjeetsceae gots encroaches ad esate cay aoe bees Soke a Mee alot lalla glial dl la ada Mena oath 13 2 2 Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit 0 0 0 eee ree tne tren r bene n nee ree 14 224A Wralers lt 1 0 000 6 V WR Gt Lessa sts pen cave ithe cette a Nod detouy
4. To perform many of the inspection and maintenance activities you must jack up the trailer The jack should be placed under the axle as close to the wheel as possible When jacking and using jack stands place them so as to clear wiring brake lines and suspension parts springs torsion bars etc Place jacks and jack stands inside of the perimeter strip on the supporting structure to which the axles are attached When jacking some tandem axle trailers note the position of the equalizer shackles before and after jacking see Fig 7 2 1 not on all vehicles The shackles can flip down when both axles on one side are raised which will result in instability during towing and may cause damage to the suspension aas S Ry s Equalizer shackles Shown with Front Wheel Removed A WARNING Never crawl under your trailer unless it is on firm and level ground and resting on properly placed and secured jack stands 37 7 2 2 Trailer Structure Because the trailer floor receives the most abuse it will most likely corrode before any other part of the structure This is particularly true for horse and livestock trailers having floors subjected to urine and manure The urine and manure are corrosive to the metal flooring and other structural parts of the trailer Remove the rubber mats from the floor of the trailer and wash them at least every three months Using a power washer and a detergent solution was
5. 1 2 13 Inoperable Brakes Lights or Mirrors Be sure that the electric brakes and all of the lights on your trailer are functioning properly before towing your trailer Electric brakes and lights on a trailer are controlled via a connection to the tow vehicle generally a multi pin electrical connector Check the trailer tail lights by turning on your tow vehicle headlights Check the trailer brake lights by having someone step on the tow vehicle brake pedal while you look at trailer lights Do the same thing to check the turn signal lights If your trailer has electric brakes your tow vehicle will have an electric brake controller that sends power to the trailer brakes Before towing the trailer on the road you must operate the brake controller while trying to pull the trailer in order to confirm that the electric brakes operate While towing the trailer at less than 5 mph manually operate the electric brake controller in the tow vehicle cab You should feel the operation of the trailer brakes Improper electrical connection between the tow vehicle and the trailer will result in inoperable lights and electric brakes and can lead to collision Before each tow e Check that the taillights brake lights and turn signals work e Check that the electric brakes work by operating the brake controller inside the tow vehicle g If your trailer has hydraulic surge brakes pull the emergency break away brake lanyard to c
6. Four way wrenches ratchets and similar tools can be useful for short term emergency repairs but are not appropriate tools for adequately checking lug nut torque You must use a torque wrench to adequately indicate the torque that you are applying to the lug nut If you do not have a torque wrench tighten the fasteners with a lug wrench as much as you can then have a service garage or dealer tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque Over tightening will result in breaking the studs or permanently deforming the mounting stud holes in the wheels Keep a record of the date and approximate mileage when you check the lug nut torque Note any lug nut that has lost torque Investigate the reason s if the lug nut torque is not maintained after more than one re torque application because this indicates there is something wrong with the lug nuts nut studs wheels and or hubs and should be corrected Contact your dealer or vehicle manufacturer immediately if you experience any persistent lug nut loosening or any other lug wheel or axle problems In the event of a wheel separation incident notify the vehicle manufacturer and dealer Seek prompt professional assistance in assessing the trailer and its gear and retain but don t re use involved lugs wheels 42 and studs Don t repair or service the trailer yourself Call a trained technician Figure 7 1 Lug Nut Sequence of Tightening To assure a properly installed wheel th
7. and inspecting tires for cuts slashes and other irregularities are the most important things you can do to avoid tire failure such as tread separation or blowout and flat tires These actions along with other care and maintenance activities can also e Improve vehicle handling e Help protect you and others from avoidable breakdowns and accidents e Improve fuel economy e Increase the life of your tires This booklet presents a comprehensive overview of tire safety including information on the following topics e Basic tire maintenance e Uniform Tire Quality Grading System e Fundamental characteristics of tires e Tire safety tips Use this information to make tire safety a regular part of your vehicle maintenance routine Recognize that the time you spend is minimal compared with the inconvenience and safety consequences of a flat tire or other tire failure 2 5 1 Safety First Basic Tire Maintenance Properly maintained tires improve the steering stopping traction and load carrying capability of your vehicle Underinflated tires and overloaded vehicles are a major cause of tite failure Therefore as mentioned above to avoid flat tires and other types of tire failure you should maintain proper tire pressure observe tire and vehicle load limits avoid road hazards and regularly inspect your tires Tire Safet 2 5 2 Finding Your Vehicle s Recommended Tire Pressure and Load Limits Tire informatio
8. on trailer wheels are tight and properly torqued is an important responsibility that trailer owners and users need to be familiar with and practice Inadequate and or inappropriate wheel nut torque tightness is a major reason that lug nuts loosen in service Loose lug nuts can rapidly lead to a wheel separation with potentially serious safety consequences Inspection Service and Maintenance Lug nuts ate prone to loosen right after a wheel is mounted to a hub When driving on a new or remounted wheel check the lug nut tightness often during the first few hundred miles of the trailer s use especially after the first 10 25 and 50 miles of driving before each tow and at least twice per year thereafter 7 WARNING Lug nuts are prone to loosen after initial installation which can lead to death or serious injury Check lug nuts for tightness on a new trailer or when wheel s have been remounted after the first 10 25 and 50 miles of driving A WARNING Metal creep between the wheel rim and lug nuts will cause rim to loosen and could result in a wheel coming off leading to death or serious injury Tighten lug nuts before each tow Tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque for the axle size on your trailer to prevent wheels from coming loose Use a torque wrench to tighten the fasteners The only way to be certain you have checked the torque or torqued the lug nuts to the proper torque is with a torque wrench
9. 4236 ITY 1 800 424 9153 go to http www safecar gov or write to Administrator NHTSA 1200 New Jersey Avenue S E Washington DC 20590 You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from http www safecat gov General Safety Information 1 2 17 Safety Warning Labels on Your Trailer Depending on your trailer configuration your trailer may not be equipped with all safety labels shown Uncoupling will cause trailer to come ALWAYS use safety chains loose from tow vehicle 1 Tire pressure and tread PULL switch CONNECT trailer and tow vehicle 2 Tires and wheels for damage 1 CHECK that pintie LOAD RATING is f1 g E CHECK brake by PULLA TRAL ER wath electrical connectors 3 Lug nuts for tightness seme or grester than ring tow vehicle CHECK all lights tail lights turn For new and remounted wheels LOAD RATING 3 ATTACH pin CABLE to tow vehicle so and brake lights re tighten lug nuts at the first oe eenee 3 DO NOT TOW if lights are not 10 25 and 50 miles of driving Uncoupling will cause trailer to come ALWAYS use safety chains Trailer can roll if it comes loose Safety Lights can prevent trailer from being Tire wheel or lugnut failure can cause loss o loose from tow vehicle Chains hold trailer if connection fails brake applies when chain pulls brake lever hit by other vehicles You must control Before towing you must CHECK You must 1 ATTACH brake CHAIN securely to 1 Tire
10. Ball Pintle Eye and Pintle Hook Check for cracks pits and flats Replace w ball amp coupler having trailer GVW Rating Grease Check locking device amp replace Check Safety Pin Section 7 2 5 1 Section 7 2 5 2 Safety Chain s amp Hooks Check for wear and damage Section 1 2 5 Tires Check tire pressure when cold Inflate as needed Section 7 2 9 Wheels Lug Nuts Bolts amp Hub Check for tightness Tighten For new and remounted wheels check torque after first 10 25 amp 50 miles of driving and after any impact Section 7 2 11 2 35 Inspection Service and Maintenance Inspection and Service each 3 Months or 3 000 Miles Item Inspection Service Manual Section Reference Structure gt Rubber mats and floor gt Hinges Doors and dividers Remove mats Wash both sides Wash floor Inspect Repair or replace damaged worn or broken parts Section 7 2 2 Inspection and Service each 6 Months or 6 000 Miles Item Inspection Service Manual Section Reference Tires Rotate 5 000 miles Section 7 2 9 Brakes electric gt Magnets gt Controller in tow vehicle Check wear and current draw Check power output amperage and modulation Section 7 2 4 3 4 Section 7 2 4 3 3 See Controller Mfrs Manual Tires Inspect tread and sidewalls thoroughly Replace tire when treads a
11. MOUNTED EQUIPMENT MAY HAVE REDUCED THE PAYLOAD CAPACITY IDENTIFIED ON THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL Information 14 2 2 1 Trailers 10 000 GVWR or Less e Locate the statement The weight of cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs on your vehicle s placard See figure 1 1 e This figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity e Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage load capacity The trailer s placard refers to the Tire Information Placard attached adjacent to or near the trailer s VIN Certification label at the left front of the trailer Note The following calculations in Sections 2 1 2 and 2 2 ate not required by the government For the purpose of completeness MGS has included these statements 2 2 2 Trailers Over 10 000 lbs GVWR Note These trailers are not required to have a tire information placard on the vehicle e Determine the empty weight of your trailer by weighing the trailer using a public scale or other means This step does not have to be repeated e Locate the GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of the trailer on your trailers VIN Certification label e Subtract the empty weight of your trailer from the GVWR stated on the VIN label That weight is the maximum available cargo capacity of the trailer and may not be safely exceede
12. a small electrically driven pump to generate hydraulic pressure which operates the brake cylinders Like electrical brakes an electric hydraulic braking system is operated by an electrical signal from the tow vehicle 7 2 5 Trailer Connection to Tow Vehicle 7 2 5 1 Coupler and Ball The coupler on the trailer connects to the ball attached to the hitch on the tow vehicle The coupler ball and hitch transfer the towing forces between the tow vehicle and the trailer Before each tow coat the ball with a thin layer of automotive bearing grease to reduce wear and ensure proper operation and check the locking device that secures the coupler to the ball for proper operation See the coupler manufacturer s manual for other inspection and maintenance activities If you do not Inspection Service and Maintenance have this manual call MGS at 800 952 4228 or 717 336 7528 for a free copy If you see or feel evidence of wear such as flat spots deformations pitting or corrosion on the ball or coupler immediately have your dealer inspect them to determine the proper action to prevent possible failure of the ball and coupler system All bent or broken coupler parts must be replaced before towing the trailer The coupler handle lever must be able to rotate freely and be pinned snap into the latched position Oil the pivot points sliding surfaces and spring ends with SAE 30W motor oil Keep the ball pocket and latch mecha
13. deh e deeb ieeatol de thud or EEA pia SRN een SAET deal set 29 41 Checking Tongue Weights s ss cceiaciadesiadesiseennnede nh toteh sadeat Ae PA AEAEE E eienen 30 4 1 1 1 Bathroom Scale Method for Checking Tongue Weight 0 0 cece cece eee eee 30 42 Securing the Catoni srei eea iee aaea E EENEN Socwadaier aaa ai Vita od eos ahaa ba EAA aia daed oily cantons 31 4 2 1 Distributing the Cargo Open Trailer 0 00 0 een rene rene ens 31 4 2 1 1 Preparing the Trailer for Loading 0 00 ne ener ene tee 31 4 2 1 2 Loading a Rigid Deck Tratler 0 0 eee tne renee eee renee 31 4 2 2 Loading Cargo Enclosed Trailer 0 0 cece een eee rete ene ene ene 31 4 2 2 1 Preparing the Trailer for Loading 0 0 00 nent 32 42 272 Loading the Enclosed Tr len ssie esl teeca ves bee vetg ne pea eee Celta aetna th eek AEA 32 5 Checking the Trailer Before and During Each Tow Hal PreTow Checklist haeie e a tere hassle O ath daly E a a aa a a a dapat aea dll us stele ends Oa shots 33 5 2 Make Regular Stops medrasni oaa edan iera na ie vans iea A Ea DE ARARA E ELA DIRE nana sadeelon 33 6 Breaking In a New Trailer 6 1 Retighten Lug Nuts at First 10 25 and 50 Miles 00 00 nnn e nee 34 6 2 Adjust Brake Shoes at First 200 Miles 00 ee eee EEE EE E EE E 34 6 3 Synchronizing the Brake System 0 00 00 occ cece ee ee ene nent eee enent ene nEn ees 34 7 Inspection Service and Maintenance 7 1 Inspection Servi
14. drive faster than 60 m p h Allow plenty of room for passing A rule of thumb is that the passing distance with a trailer is 4 times the passing distance without a trailer Shift your automatic transmission into a lower gear for city driving Use lower gears for climbing and descending grades Do not ride the brakes while descending grades they may get so hot that they stop working Then you will potentially have a runaway tow vehicle and trailer To conserve fuel don t use full throttle to climb a hill Instead build speed on the approach Slow down for bumps in the road Take your foot off the brake when crossing the bump Do not brake while in a curve unless absolutely necessary Instead slow down before you enter the curve Do not apply the tow vehicle brakes to correct extreme trailer swaying Instead lightly apply the trailer brakes with the hand controller Make regular stops about once each hour Confirm that The coupler is secure to the hitch and 1s locked Electrical connectors are made There is appropriate slack in the safety chains There is appropriate slack in the breakaway switch pullpin cable The tires are not visibly low on pressure and The cargo is secure and in good condition 12 Information 2 Tire Safety Information This portion of the User s Manual contains tire safety information as required by 49 CFR 575 6 Section 2 1 contains Trailer Tire Information Section 2 2 contain
15. lubricants that are beneficial to tire life Using the trailer tires often also helps prevent flat spots from developing The main cause of tite failure is improper inflation Check the cold tire inflation pressures at least once a week for proper inflation levels Cold means that the tires are at the same temperature as the surrounding air such as when the vehicle has been parked overnight Wheel and tire manufacturers recommend adjusting the air pressure to the trailer manufacturers recommended cold inflation pressure in pounds per square inch PSI This pressure will be stated on the vehicle s Federal Inspection Service and Maintenance Certification Label or on the Tire Placard for when the trailer is loaded to its gross vehicle weight rating GVWR If the tires are inflated to less than the recommended inflation level or the GVWR of the trailer is exceeded the load carrying capacity of the tire could be dramatically affected If the tires are inflated more than the recommended inflation level handling characteristics of the tow vehicle trailer combination could be affected Refer to the owner s manual or talk to your dealer or vehicle manufacturer if you have any questions regarding proper inflation practices Tires can lose air over a period of time In fact tires can lose 1 to 3 PSI per month This is because molecules of air under pressure weave their way from the inside of the tire through the rubber to the ou
16. nuts to loosen and could result in a wheel coming off leading to death or serious injury Tighten lug nuts before each tow The proper tightness torque for lug nuts is listed in Section 7 2 11 2 in the Inspection and Service Instructions chapter of this manual Use a torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts use the crisscross star pattern on page 49 If you do not have a torque wrench use a lug wrench from your tow vehicle and tighten the nuts as much as you can At the first opportunity have a service garage or trailer dealer tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque Lug nuts are also prone to loosen after first being assembled When driving a new trailer or after wheels have been remounted check to make sure they are tight after the first 10 25 and 50 miles of driving and before each tow thereafter Failure to perform this check can result in a wheel separating from the trailer and a crash leading to death or serious injury A WARNING Lug nuts are prone to loosen after initial installation which can lead to death or serious injury Check lug nuts for tightness on a new trailer or when wheel s have been remounted after the first 10 25 and 50 miles of driving A WARNING Improper lug nut torque can cause a wheel separating from the trailer leading to death or serious injury Be sure lug nuts are tight before each tow 1 2 9 Improper Loading The total weight of the load you put
17. pressure and tread 1 CHECK that pintle LOAD RATING is 1 CROSS chains underneath coupler tow vehicle so lever will be pulled 1 CONNECT trailer and tow vehicle 2 Tires and wheels for damage same or than ring 2 ALLOW slack for trailer to turn if trailer separates electrical connectors 3 Lug nuts for tightness LOAD 3 chain hooks securely 2 CHECK all lights tail lights turn For new and remounted wheels 2 LOCK the clamp in place using a a Se tote a oe eee signal and brake lights re tighten lug nuts at the first pin or lock vehicle frame 3 DO NOT TOW trailer if brake fluid 3 DO NOT TOW if lights are not 10 25 and 50 miles of driving Uncoupling will cause trailer to come ALWAYS use safety chains Trailer can roll if it comes loose Lights can prevent trailer from being Tire wheel or lugnut failure can cause loss of loose from tow vehicle You must Chains hold trailer if connection fails pA ano means saa hit by other vehicles You must control Before towing you must CHECK You must en aero si 1 Tire pressure and tread 2 Tires and wheels for damage 1 CHECK that ball LOAD RATING is same ROSS chains underneath 1 PULL hard to get pin out of switch box 1 CONNECT trailer and tow vehicle Sapos ereny oS panara i ries slack for trailer to Aree pler 2 CHECK brake by PULLING TRAILER electrical connectors 3 Lug nuts for tightness 2 with tow vehicle 3 E 3 ATTACH chain hooks to tow 2 CHECK all lights tail lights t
18. raise the tow vehicle more than 1 inch 3 3 1 4 Rig Safety Chains Visually inspect the safety chains and hooks for wear or damage Replace worn or damaged safety chains and hooks before towing Rig the safety chains so that they Criss cross underneath the coupler so if the trailer uncouples the safety chains can hold the tongue up above the road Loop around a frame member of the tow vehicle or to holes provided in the hitch system but do not attach them to an interchangeable part of the hitch assembly Attach snap hooks up from underneath the hole do not just drop mto hole and provide enough slack to permit tight turns but not be close to the road surface to drag Improper rigging of the safety chains can result in loss of control of the trailer and tow vehicle leading to death or serious injury if the trailer uncouples from the tow vehicle e Fasten chains to safety chain receivers on the hitch not to ball e Have sufficient slack to permit turning and to keep gooseneck on bed of tow vehicle if the trailer comes loose 27 3 3 1 5 Attach and Test Breakaway Brake System and Safety Components If the coupler or hitch fails a properly connected and working breakaway brake system will apply electric brakes on the trailer The safety chains will keep the tow vehicle attached and as the brakes are applied at the trailer s axles the trailer tow vehicle combination will come to a c
19. supports the tire and attaches either integrally or separably to the wheel center member and upon which the tire is attached NON PNEUMATIC SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY A non pneumatic tire assembly intended for temporary use in place of one of the pneumatic tires and rims that are fitted to a passenger car in compliance with the requirements of this standard NON PNEUMATIC TIRE A mechanical device which transmits either directly or through a wheel or wheel center member the vertical load and tractive forces from the roadway to the vehicle generates the tractive forces that provide the directional control of the vehicle and does not rely on the containment of any gas or fluid for providing those functions NON PNEUMATIC TIRE ASSEMBLY A non pneumatic tire alone or in combination with a wheel or wheel center member which can be mounted on a vehicle NORMAL OCCUPANT WEIGHT This means 68 kilograms 150 Ibs times the number of occupants specified in the second column of Table I of 49 CFR 571 110 OCCUPANT DISTRIBUTION The distribution of occupants in a vehicle as specified in the third column of Table I of 49 CFR 571 110 OPEN SPLICE Any parting at any junction of tread sidewall or innerliner that extends to cord material OUTER DIAMETER The overall diameter of an inflated new tire OVERALL WIDTH The linear distance between the exteriors of the sidewalls of an inflated tire including elevations due to labeling decorat
20. to hitch or ball see the Coupling to the Tow Vehicle chapter e Test of lights Tail Stop and Turn Lights e Test trailer brakes e Safety breakaway switch cable fastened to tow vehicle not to safety chains see the Coupling to the Tow Vehicle chapter e Cargo properly loaded balanced and tied down see the Loading the Trailer chapter e Tongue weight and weight distribution set up e Doors and gates latched and secured e Fire extinguisher e Flares and reflectors 5 2 Make Regular Stops After each 50 miles or one hour of towing stop and check the following items e Coupler secured e Safety chains are fastened and not dragging e Cargo secured e Cargo door latched and secured 33 Breakin In a New Trailer 6 Breaking In a New Trailer 6 1 Retighten Lug Nuts at First 10 25 and 50 Miles Wheel lugs can shift and settle quickly after being first assembled and must be checked after the first 10 25 and 50 miles of driving Failure to perform this check may result in a wheel coming loose from the trailer causing a crash leading to death or serious injury A WARNING Lug nuts are prone to loosen after initial installation which can lead to death or serious injury Check lug nuts for tightness on a new trailer or when wheel s have been remounted after the first 10 25 and 50 miles of driving See Section 7 2 12 2 Lug Nuts Bolts on page 49 for proper torquing t
21. trailer is being towed For lighter trailers the recommended method of checking tongue weight 1s to use an accessory called a tongue weight scale Ifa tongue weight scale is not available from your dealer call MGS at 800 952 4228 or 717 336 7528 for assistance A WARNING An unrestrained trailer can fall off its support resulting in serious injury or death Before checking tongue weight block trailer wheels front and rear 4 1 1 1 Bathroom Scale Method for Checking Tongue Weight The loaded trailer must be on a smooth and level surface and you must block the trailer wheels front and rear Raise the tongue of the trailer with the jack Place a bathroom scale on the ground directly below the coupler Place a strong block support such as a cement block on the scale note the scale reading for the weight of the block support Lower the tongue until the coupler rests on the block support and the jack is 2 inch above the ground The scale reading minus the weight of the block support is the tongue weight If the tongue weight exceeds the capacity of a bathroom scale you can use leverage to divide the tongue weight between the bathroom scale and another support see Checking Tongue Weight figure Checking Tongue Weight Non SCALE IEE BRICK BOARD Raise the tongue of the trailer with the jack Arrange a brick 2 x 4 or 4 x 4 board bathroom scale and pipes as shown in Checkin
22. underrated is loose or is worn the trailer can come loose from the tow vehicle and may cause death or serious injury THE TOW VEHICLE HITCH AND BALL PINTLE HOOK MUST HAVE A RATED TOWING CAPACITY EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE TRAILER GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING GVWR IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE BALL BE OF THE SAME SIZE AS THE COUPLER The ball pintle eye size and load rating capacity are marked on the ball pintle eye hitch capacity is marked on the hitch 25 3 3 1 1 Before Coupling the Ball Pintle Hook to the Tow Vehicle Be sure the size and rating of the hitch ball pintle hook match the size and rating of the coupler Hitch balls pintle hooks and couplers are marked with their size and rating Coupler to hitch mismatch can result in uncoupling leading to death or serious injury Be sure the LOAD RATING of the hitch ball pintle hook is equal or greater than the load rating of the coupler Be sure the SIZE of the hitch ball matches the size of the coupler Wipe the hitch ball clean and inspect it visually and by feel for flat spots cracks and pits A worn cracked or corroded hitch ball can fail while towing and may result in death or serious injury Before coupling trailer inspect the hitch ball for wear corrosion and cracks Replace worn or damaged hitch ball Rock the ball to make sure it 1s tight to the hitch and visually check that the hitch ball nut is solid against the l
23. you should weigh the entire combination vehicle This result should be less than the Gross Combined Weight Rating GCWR for your towing vehicle Some scales allow you to get individual axle weights also If this is possible get the tow vehicles front and rear axle weights to make sure they are in the same proportion as the tow vehicle alone and that the reat axle is not overloaded This is the best way to check that a weight distribution or load leveling hitch is adjusted properly i e you have the proper number of chain links attached to the snap up brackets Loading the Trailer 4 2 Securing the Cargo Since the trailer tide can be bumpy and rough you must secure your cargo so that it does not shift while the trailer is being towed 7 WARNING Shifting cargo can result in loss of control of the trailer and can lead to death or serious injury Tie down all loads with proper sized fasteners ropes straps etc 4 2 1 Distributing the Cargo Open Trailer Couple the trailer to the tow vehicle before loading This is essential for the bumper pull trailer because the tongue of a bumper pull trailer can rise during loading before the cargo is properly distributed Do not transport people containers of hazardous substances cans of containers of flammable substances such as gasoline kerosene paint etc However fuel in the tank of an off road vehicle or a car or motorcycle etc may be carried on you
24. E diva vou y uabaredeoniedaswueukaa te ie 14 2 22 Trailers Over 10 0001Bs GVWR eine oid a wade tbe Wiens SP Eonar Sed aie edad Ghee whol eia 14 2 3 Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit low Vehicles ion sccco nite puid oures ieee a ee ee 14 24 Glossary of Mire Terminology atspari a ian scoks peas adr eA narei enen i niea terete En etary 15 2 5 Tire Satety Everythine Rides On TEns sie ei Re Weal ad eens A EETA E E ee 17 2 5 1 Safety First Basic Tire Maintenance 0 0 een nner etree ener 17 2 5 2 Finding Your Vehicle s Recommended Tire Pressure and Load Limits 0 cece 18 2 5 3 Understanding Tire Pressure and Load Limits 0 0 0 0c e nena ees 18 204 Checking Tire Pressures sc ccteey eh jag einas E EEE sae ait ana ETE EREE as neve 18 2 5 5 Steps for Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure 0 0 eect enna 18 25 6 Tre Steins ne eieaa eet lente ey ba a a bare bdtlad ob ead ay a bled wad dd Band bent a deca as 18 25I Tire Brea yet ese teetcrs n an a tan RAR Sia lia a nai aN al Tele ta atau a atati nea Ra platelet oe Bele ot 19 2 5 8 Tire Balance and Wheel Alignment 0 0 00 c cece center e rnb tnt ene ee 19 255 9 Weare Repair ere nena weenie a eater te dials caesar st Santohce dada EETA ARE cease nate es Goes 19 ADO rest ut Gar nien tal Snine wisely ee oma hate bate tena reat das heats sues aon wr atin Okan eta 2am EE 19 2 5 10 1 Information on Passenger Vehicle Tires 0 0 00 cece cece eee ne
25. TOW trailer if brake fluid signal and brake lights re tighten lug nuts at the first wili not separate from ball is NOT FULL 3 DO NOT TOW if lights are not 10 25 and 50 miles of driving 5 LOCK coupler clamp with pin or padlock 1 CHECK that ball LOAD RATING is same working Check Attach Breakaway Z Fluid DISCONNECTED CONNECTED Vehicle Level Closed clamp Lug Mias a TIGHT PS Pin or padlock we in place soos SOSS CHAINS Lift coupler to check Tires and Wheels OK A WARNING To protect you and others against death or serious injury all of the labels shown above must be on the trailer and must be legible If any of these labels are missing or cannot be read call MGS at 800 952 4228 or 717 336 7528 for free replacement labels General Safet 1 3 Safe Trailer Towing Guidelines Recheck the load tiedowns to make sure the load will not shift during towing Before towing check coupling safety chain safety brake tires wheels and lights Check the lug nuts or bolts for tightness Check coupler tightness after towing 50 miles Adjust the brake controller to engage the trailer brakes before the tow vehicle brakes Use your mirrors to verify that you have room to change lanes or pull into traffic Use your turn signals well in advance Allow plenty of stopping space for your trailer and tow vehicle Do not drive so fast that the trailer begins to sway due to speed Generally never
26. Y TRIANGLE REFLECTORS It is wise to carry these warning devices even if you are not towing a trailer It is particularly important to have these when towing a trailer because the hazard flashers of your towing vehicle will not operate for as long a period of time when the battery is running both the trailer lights and tow vehicle lights Coupling to the Tow Vehicle 3 2 Coupling and Uncoupling the Trailer A secure coupling or fastening of the trailer to the tow vehicle is essential A loss of coupling may result in death or serious injury Therefore you must understand and follow all of the instructions for coupling The following parts are involved in making a secure coupling between the trailer and tow vehicle COUPLING That part of the trailer connecting mechanism by which the connection is actually made to the trailer hitch This does not include any structural member extension of the trailer frame or brake controller HITCH That part of the connecting mechanism including the ball support platform and ball and those components that extend and are attached to the towing vehicle including bumpers intended to serve as hitches WEIGHT DITRIBUTING EQUALIZING HITCH A mechanical device that connects the trailer to the towing vehicle and by means of leverage applied on both the trailer and towing vehicle structures when properly adjusted distributes the imposed vertical load at the hitch and coupling connection betwe
27. ach tow 41 7 2 10 Wheel Rims If the trailer has been struck or impacted on or near the wheels or if the trailer has struck a curb inspect the rims for damage i e being out of round and replace any damaged wheel Inspect the wheels for damage every year even if no obvious impact has occurred 7 2 11 Wheels Bearings amp Lug Nuts A loose worn or damaged wheel bearing is the most common cause of brakes that grab To check your bearings jack trailer and check wheels for side to side looseness If the wheels are loose or spin with a wobble the bearings must be serviced or replaced Most trailer axles are built with sealed bearings that are not serviceable Sealed bearings must be replaced as complete units 7 2 11 1 Bearings Hubs The bearings and hubs must be inspected and lubricated once a year or 12 000 miles to insure safe operation of your trailer If a trailer wheel bearing is immersed in water it must be replaced If your trailer has not been used for an extended amount of time have the bearings inspected and packed lubricated more frequently at least every six months and prior to use For complete details on hub removal seal replacement and bearing lubrication consult the axle manufacturers service manual If you do not have this manual call MGS at 800 952 4228 or 717 336 7528 for a free copy 7 2 11 2 Lug Nuts Bolts Being sure wheel mounting nuts ug nuts
28. ants increases This item is also discussed in Section 3 C Determining compatibility of tire and vehicle load capabilities D Adverse safety consequences of overloading on handling and stopping on tires Information 13 2 1 Trailer Tire Information Trailer tires may be worn out even though they still have plenty of tread left This is because trailer tires have to carry a lot of weight all the time even when not in use It is actually better for the tire to be rolling down the road than to be idle During use the tire releases lubricants that are beneficial to tire life Using the trailer tires often also helps prevent fl at spots from developing The main cause of tite failure is improper inflation Check the cold tire inflation pressures at least once a week for proper inflation levels Cold means that the tires are at the same temperature as the surrounding aur such as when the vehicle has been parked overnight Wheel and tire manufacturers recommend adjusting the air pressure to the trailer manufacturers recommended cold inflation pressure in pounds per square inch PSI stated on the vehicle s Federal Certification Label or Tire Placard when the trailer is loaded to its gross vehicle weight rating GVWR If the tires are inflated to less than the recommended inflation level or the GVWR of the trailer 1s exceeded the load carrying capacity of the tire could be dramatically affected If the tires
29. ar or aligned under the coupler if the trailer jack has raised the coupler Figure 3 1 Ball Hitch Coupler Mechanism LATCHED Engaged Released If your trailer does not have a jack you will have to lift the coupler and place it over the ball If you have a jack lower the trailer tongue until the coupler fully engages the hitch ball If the coupler does not line up with the hitch ball adjust the position of the tow vehicle Engage the coupler locking mechanism In the engaged position the locking mechanism securely holds the coupler to the hitch ball Insert a pin or lock through the hole in the locking mechanism Be sure the coupler is all the way on the hitch ball and the locking mechanism is engaged A properly engaged 26 locking mechanism will allow the coupler to raise the reat of the tow vehicle Using the trailer jack test to see that you can raise the rear of the tow vehicle by 1 inch after the coupler is locked to the hitch A Notice Overloading can damage the tongue jack Do not use the tongue jack to raise the tow vehicle more than 1 inch If the coupler cannot be secured to the hitch ball do not tow the trailer Call MGS at 800 952 4228 or 717 336 7528 for assistance Lower the trailer so that its entire tongue weight is held by the hitch and continue retracting the jack to its fully retraced position 3 3 1 3 Coupling with a Pintle Hook Hitch Release
30. are inflated more than the recommended inflation level handling characteristics of the tow vehicle trailer combination could be affected Refer to the ownet s manual or talk to your dealer or vehicle manufacturer if you have any questions regarding proper inflation practices Tires can lose air over a period of time In fact tires can lose 1 to 3 PSI per month This is because molecules of air under pressure weave their way from the inside of the tire through the rubber to the outside A drop in tire pressure could cause the tire to become overloaded leading to excessive heat build up If a trailer tire is under inflated even for a short period of time the tire could suffer internal damage High speed towing in hot conditions degrades trailer tires significantly As heat builds up during driving the tires internal structure starts to breakdown compromising the strength of the tire It is recommended to drive at moderate speeds Statistics indicate the average life of a trailer tire is about five years under normal use and maintenance conditions After three years replacing the trailer tires with new ones should be considered even if the tires have adequate tread depth Some experts claim that after five years trailer tires are considered worn out and should be replaced even if they have had minimal or no use This is such a general statement that it may not apply in all cases It is best to have your tires inspected by a ti
31. ccur Road test the brakes in a safe area at no more than 30mph before each tow To insure safe brake performance and synchronization read and follow the axle brake and the brake controller manufacturers instructions If you do not have these instructions call MGS at 800 952 4228 or 717 336 7528 for a free copy TIRE PRESSURE Check tire pressures on both the trailer and tow vehicle Inflate to the maximum shown on the VIN Certification Label Inspection Service and Maintenance 7 Inspection Service and Maintenance 7 1 Inspection Service and Maintenance Summary Charts You must inspect maintain and service your trailer regularly to insure safe and reliable operation If you cannot or are unsure how to perform the items listed here have your dealer do them Note In addition to this manual also check the relevant component manufacturer s manual Inspection and Service before Each Use Item Inspection Service Manual Section Reference Breakaway Brakes gt Electric gt Hydraulic Check operation Check fluid level Section 7 2 4 3 1 7 2 4 3 2 Breakaway Battery Fully charged connections clean Section 7 2 4 3 1 Brakes all types Check operation Section 7 2 4 Shoes and Drums Adjust Section 7 2 4 2 Brakes Hydraulic Vacuum Actuated Check gauge for proper vacuum of 18 In Hg inches of mercury Section 7 2 4 4 2 Coupler and Hitch
32. ce and Maintenance Summary Charts 0 066 c ccc neneee 35 12 Inspection and S rvice Ins tructions y inti acverviabis idake tigen pendia a a REA E AEA eens 37 7 2 1 Axle Bolts Frame Suspension amp Structure 0 00 e center een e eee 37 ADD Praen SUC LULes ao haa a an s25 aaa dae uae Die EE Beek att ae eee ean Gane boi ad aun det dared Moe 37 7 2 2 1 Fasteners and Frame Membets 0 000 c cece cece cece eee eect nee e ence eee e eee n nes 37 T222 SMO AS ese detected eats gob tac a a a ao a EA EAEAN E E aa oye 37 7 23 Drop Ramp Torsion Springs rniran y e EE EEEE EEE ueee ie oe E R eyes Gee 38 UO Trailer Brake sinuicoe rani e ia E AE T E E e E e EEE EE NEAT 38 7 2 4 1 Brake Shoes and Drums 0 0 0 00 c cece cece eee need eee eee E teen een ens 38 7 2 4 2 Manually Adjusting Brake Shoes 0 0 cece cee e eee eee eee eee eee eene ene e ees 38 L243 Brakes Pil eGtti Gy acix venue sete nent asia saucer a E a EE tae meade scien beh es att denn aag eng 38 7 24 3 1 Breakaway System Battery eeii nese ni eiea iai sea ete eee a As 38 7 24 3 2 Breakaway System Switch 0 0 0c ccc e eee eee ener ene trea 38 7 24 3 3 Tow Vehicle Operated Electric Brakes 0 0 0 00 eee 39 7 2 4 3 4 Magnets for All Electric Brakes 0 0 00 enes 39 P2AA Brakes Hydai oni eva iw vas copings E ena awa quad EEE E Tats 39 2AA Hydraulic Surges sennen oes ta wis oe tue Sele a Done Rion 39 7 2 4 4 2 Vacuum Operated H
33. centage of total weight of the trailer plus its cargo Gross Trailer Weight or GTW that should appear on the tongue of the trailer For example a large trailer with a loaded weight of 6 000 pounds should have 10 15 of 6 000 pounds 600 900 Ibs on the hitch A dump trailer will have the proper weight distribution if the load is evenly distributed in the dump bed For non flowable discrete loads locate the load such as to provide the proper tongue weight After loading be sure to check that none of the axles are overloaded Tongue Weight as a Percentage of Loaded Trailer Weight TYPE OF HITCH PERCENTAGE Ball Hitch or Bumper Hitch Pintle Eye Hitch lal The numbers quoted above are for example purposes only and should be tailored to the specific trailer For questions regarding the actual percent of tongue weight for the trailer check with the manufacturer for specifics General Safet Uneven left right load distribution can cause tire wheel axle or structural failure Be sure your trailer is evenly loaded left right Towing stability also depends on keeping the center of gravity as low as possible Improper tongue weight load distribution can result in loss of control of the trailer leading to death or serious injury Make certain that tongue weight is within the allowable range Be sure to e Distribute the load front to rear to provide proper tongue weight see chart e Distrib
34. curb weight accessory weight and normal occupant weight distributed in accordance with Table I of CRF 49 571 110 and dividing by 2 WEATHER SIDE The surface area of the rim not covered by the inflated tire WHEEL CENTER MEMBER In the case of a non pneumatic tire assembly incorporating a wheel a mechanical device which attaches either integrally or separably to the non pneumatic rim and provides the connection between the non pneumatic rim and the vehicle or in the case of a non pneumatic tire assembly not incorporating a wheel a mechanical device which attaches either integrally or separably to the non pneumatic tire and provides the connection between tire and the vehicle Information WHEEL HOLDING FIXTURE The fixture used to hold the wheel and tire assembly securely during testing 2 5 Tire Safety Everything Rides On It The National Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA has published a brochure DOT HS 809 361 that discusses all aspects of Tire Safety as required by CFR 575 6 This brochure is reproduced in part below It can be obtained and downloaded from NHTSA free of charge from the following web site http www nhtsa gov cars rules TireSafety ridesonit tires_ index html Studies of tire safety show that maintaining proper tire pressure observing tire and vehicle load limits not carrying more weight in your vehicle than your tires or vehicle can safely handle avoiding road hazards
35. d 2 3 Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit Tow Vehicle e Locate the statement The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX lbs on your vehicle s placard e Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers who will be riding in your vehicle e Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds e The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage capacity For example if the XXX amount equals 1400 Ibs and there will be five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle the amount of available cargo and luggage capacity is 650 lbs 1400 750 5 x 150 650 Ibs e Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle That weight may Tire Safet not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage capacity calculated in Step 4 e If your vehicle will be towing a trailer load from your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle Consult the tow vehicle s manual to determine how this weight transfer reduces the available cargo and luggage capacity of your vehicle 2 4 Glossary of Tire Terminology ACCESSORY WEIGHT The combined weight in excess of those standard items which may be replaced of automatic transmission power steering power brakes power windows power seats radio and heater to the extent that these items are available as factory installed equipment whether installed or
36. e 31st week of 1997 The other numbers are marketing codes used at the manufacturer s discretion This information is used to contact consumers if a tire defect requires a recall TIRE PLY COMPOSITION AND MATERIALS USED The number of plies indicates the number of layers of rubber coated fabric in the tire In general the greater the number of plies the more weight a tire can support Tire manufacturers also must indicate the materials in the tire which include steel nylon polyester and others MAXIMUM LOAD RATING This number indicates the maximum load in kilograms and pounds that can be carried by the tire MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE INFLATION PRESSURE This number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under normal driving conditions 2 5 10 2 UTQGS Information TREADWEAR NUMBER This number indicates the tire s wear rate The higher the treadwear number is the longer it should take for the tread to wear down For example a tire graded 400 should last twice as long as a tire graded 200 TRACTION LETTER This letter indicates a tire s ability to stop on wet pavement A higher graded tire should allow you to stop your car on wet roads in a shorter distance than a tire with a lower grade Traction is graded from highest to lowest as AA A B and C TEMPERATURE LETTER This letter indicates a tire s resistance to heat The temperature grade is for a tire that is inflated properly and
37. e Step 1 Locate the recommended tire pressure on the vehicle s tire information placard certification label or in the owner s manual e Step 2 Record the tire pressure of all tires e Step 3 If the tire pressure is too high in any of the tires slowly release air by gently pressing on the tire valve stem with the edge of your tire gauge until you get to the correct pressure e Step 4 If the tire pressure 1s too low note the difference between the measured tire pressure and the correct tire pressure These missing pounds of pressure are what you will need to add e Step 5 At a service station add the missing pounds of air pressure to each tire that is underinflated e Step 6 Check all the tires to make sure they have the same air pressure except in cases in which the front and rear tires are supposed to have different amounts of pressure If you have been driving your vehicle and think that a tire 1s underinflated fill it to the recommended cold inflation pressure indicated on your vehicle s tire information placard or certification label While your tire may still be slightly underinflated due to the extra pounds of pressure in the warm tire it is safer to drive with air pressure that is slightly lower than the vehicle manufacturer s recommended cold inflation pressure than to drive with a significantly underinflated tire Since this is a temporary fix don t forget to recheck and adjust the tire s pressure when you can
38. e wheel fastener must be tightened in two stages Each tightening stage must be done in the proper sequence Use the sequence shown in the figure below for each bolt pattern Torque Values for Steel Wheels Size Torque Value ft lb Wheel Fastener 1 Stage 2 Stage 13 and under 1 2 60 cone nut 65 80 14 15 16 amp 16 5 1 2 60 cone nut 9 16 60 cone nut 5 8 90 16 cone nut 5 8 90 cone nuts and clamp ring 17 5 17 5 Hub Pilot 5 8 flange nuts Important notes e The mating surfaces of the wheel and hub should be free of damage and excessive paint Smooth clean surfaces provide the best clamping pressure and torque retention e Start all bolts or nuts by hand to prevent cross threading e Light grease lubrication is only required on 5 8 studs used with a clamp ring All other fasteners are to be clean and dry for assembly e Use a calibrated torque wrench set to the correct torque e Complete the Torque sequence in two complete stages through the criss cross pattern shown in Figure 7 1 e For wheel sizes fasteners and wheel materials not listed in the above chart please contact MGS Incorporated at 800 952 4228 INCORPORATED ig INNOVATORS AND MANUFACTURERS OF TRANSPORTATION EQUIPMENT The information contained in this manual was current at time of publication This manual
39. echniques 6 2 Adjust Brake Shoes at First 200 Miles Brake shoes and drums experience a rapid initial wear The brakes must be adjusted after the first 200 miles of use and each 3 000 miles thereafter Some axles are fitted with a mechanism that will automatically adjust the brake shoes when the trailer is hard braked from a rearward direction Read your axle and brake manual to see if your brakes adjust automatically If you do not have the axle and brake manual call MGS at 800 952 4228 or 717 336 7528 for a free copy A hard stop is used to e Confirm that the brakes work e Confirm that the trailer brakes are properly synchronized with the tow vehicle brakes using the brake controller in the tow vehicle e Adjust the brake shoes as necessary e For surge brakes check the Master cylinder reservoir for fluid If your trailer is not fitted with automatically adjusting brakes the brakes will need to be manually adjusted See section 7 2 5 2 Manually Adjusting Brake Shoes for instructions 34 6 3 Synchronizing the Brake System Trailer brakes are designed to work in synchronization with the brakes on the tow vehicle When the tow vehicle and trailer braking systems are synchronized both braking systems contribute to slowing and the tongue of the trailer will neither dive nor rise sharply 7 WARNING If trailer and tow vehicle brakes do not work properly together death or serious injury can o
40. ection of Breakaway Brake If equipped with brakes your trailer will be equipped with a breakaway brake system that can apply the brakes on your trailer if your trailer comes loose from the hitch ball for any reason You will have a separate set of instructions for the breakaway brake if your trailer is so equipped The breakaway brake system including battery must be in good condition and properly rigged to be effective An ineffective or inoperative breakaway brake system can result in a runaway trailer leading to death or serious injury if the coupler or hitch fails The breakaway cable must be connected to the tow vehicle and NOT to any part of the hitch Before towing the trailer test the function of the breakaway brake system If the breakaway brake system is not working do not tow the trailer Have it serviced or repaired 1 2 7 Matching Trailer and Hitch Use of a hitch with a load rating less than the load rating of the trailer can result in loss of control and may lead to death or serious injury Use of a tow vehicle with a towing capacity less than the load rating of the trailer can result in loss of control and may lead to death or serious injury Be sure your hitch and tow vehicle are rated for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR of your trailer 1 2 8 Worn Tires Loose Wheels and Lug Nuts Just as with your tow vehicle the trailer tires and wheels are important safety items Ther
41. eed Driving too fast for the conditions e Failure to adjust driving behavior when towing a trailer e Overloading and or improper weight distribution e Improper or mis coupling of the trailer to the hitch e Improper braking and steering under sway conditions e Not maintaining proper tire pressure e Not keeping lug nuts tight 1 2 1 Improper Sizing of the Trailer to the Tow Vehicle Trailers that weigh too much for the towing vehicle can cause stability problems which can lead to death or serious injury Furthermore the additional strain put on the engine and drive train may lead to serious tow vehicle maintenance problems For these reasons the maximum towing capacity of your towing vehicle should not be exceeded The towing capacity of your tow vehicle in terms of maximum Gross Trailer Weight GTW and maximum Gross Combined Weight Rating GCWR can be found in the tow vehicles Owner s Manual Use of a hitch with a load rating less than the load rating of the trailer can result in loss of control and may lead to death or serious injury Use of a tow vehicle with a towing capacity less than the load rating of the trailer can result in loss of control and may lead to death or serious injury Be sure your hitch and tow vehicle are rated for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR of your trailer General Safet 1 2 2 Driving Too Fast With ideal road conditions the maximum recommended speed for
42. eed their Gross Axle Weight Rating GAWR The table below has rules of thumb for proper tongue weight In the table below the second column notes the rule of thumb percentage of total weight of the trailer plus its cargo Gross Vehicle Weight or GVW that should appear on the tongue of the trailer For example a trailer with a gooseneck hitch with a loaded weight of 12 000 pounds should have 20 25 of 12 000 pounds on the tongue That is the example trailer would have 2 400 to 3 000 pounds on its tongue Tongue Weight as a Percentage of Loaded Trailer Weight Type of Hitch Ball Hitch or Bumper Hitch 10 15 Gooseneck Hitch 20 25 The numbers quoted above are for example purposes only and should be tailored to the specific trailer For questions regarding the actual percent of tongue weight for the trailer check with the manufacturer for specifics Loading the Trailer Improper tongue weight load distribution can result in loss of control of the trailer leading to death or serious injury Make certain that tongue weight is within the allowable range Be sure to e Distribute the load front to rear to provide proper tongue weight see chart e Distribute the load evenly right and left to avoid tire overload e Keep the center of gravity low 4 1 1 Checking Tonque Weight To check the tongue weight the tow vehicle and trailer must be on level ground as they will be when the
43. efore it is essential to inspect the trailer tires before each tow If a tire has a bald spot bulge cut cracks or is showing any cords replace the tire before towing Ifa tire has uneven tread wear take the trailer to a dealer service center for diagnosis Uneven tread wear can be caused by tite imbalance axle misalignment or incorrect inflation Tires with too little tread will not provide adequate frictional forces on wet roadways and can result in loss of control leading to death or serious injury Improper tire pressure causes increased tire wear and may reduce trailer stability which can result in a tire blowout or possible loss of control Therefore before each tow you must also check the tire pressure Remember the proper tire pressure is listed on the Certification VIN label normally mounted on front left side of the trailer and should be checked when tires are cold Allow 3 hours cool down after driving as much as 1 mile at 40 mph before checking tire pressure A WARNING Improper tire pressure can result in a blowout and loss of control which can lead to death or serious injury Be sure tires are inflated to pressure indicated on sidewall before towing trailer The tightness of the lug nuts is very important in keeping the wheels properly seated to the hub Before each tow check to make sure they are tight General Safet A WARNING Metal creep between the wheel rim and hub may cause lug
44. en parking Tire Safety Checklist e Check tire pressure regularly at least once a month including the spare Tire Safety Information e Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the tread cracks foreign objects or other signs of wear or trauma e Remove bits of glass and foreign objects wedged in the tread e Make sure your tire valves have valve caps e Check tire pressure before going on a long trip e Do not overload your vehicle Check the Tire Information and Loading Placard or User s Manual for the maximum recommended load for the vehicle 21 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle 3 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle Follow all of the safety precautions and instructions in this manual to ensure safety of persons cargo and satisfactory life of the trailer 3 1 Use an Adequate Tow Vehicle and Hitch If the vehicle or hitch is not properly selected and matched to the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR of your trailer you can cause an accident that could lead to death or serious injury If you already have a tow vehicle know your vehicle tow rating and Gross Combination Weight Rating GCWR and make certain the trailer s rated capacity 1s less than or equal to the tow vehicle s rated towing capacity If you already have or plan to buy a trailer make certain that the tow rating of the tow vehicle is equal to or greater than the GVWR of the trailer and that the GCWR will be within limits Use of a hitch w
45. en structures of the towing vehicle and trailer HITCH OR WEIGHT CARRYING HITCH A mechanical and or structural device that connects the trailer to the towing vehicle and that does not employ features designed to redistruibute the load imposed at the hitch and carrying connection SAFETY CHAINS OR CABLES Chains or cables permanently attached to the trailer such that if the coupler connection comes loose the safety chains or cables can keep the trailer attached to the tow vehicle With properly rigged safety chains or cables it is possible to keep the tongue of the trailer from digging into the road pavement even if the coupler to hitch connection comes apart Some states do not allow safety cables e g Pennsylvania therefore it may be wise to check with the State Police to see if your state has any restrictions on the use of safety cables if your trailer is so equipped 24 TRAILER LIGHTING CONNECTOR A device that connects electrical power from the tow vehicle to the trailer Electricity 1s used to turn on brake lights running lights and turn signals as required In addition if your trailer has a separate braking system the electrical connector will also supply power to the trailer brakes from the tow vehicle AND BRAKING BREAKAWAY SWITCH If the trailer becomes de coupled from the towing vehicle the breakaway switch lanyard attached independently to the tow vehicle hitch will pull a pin in the emergency e
46. erall load weight e Load weight distribution e Proper tongue weight e Securing the load properly To determine that you have loaded the trailer within its rating you must consider the distribution of weight as well as the total weight of the trailer and its contents The trailer axles carry most of the total weight of the trailer and its contents Gross Vehicle Weight or GVW The remainder of the total weight is carried by the tow vehicle hitch It is essential for safe towing that the trailer tongue and tow vehicle hitch carry the proper amount of the loaded trailer weight otherwise the trailer can develop an undesirable sway at towing speeds or the rear of the towing vehicle can be overloaded Read the Tongue Weight section below The load distribution must be such that no component part of the trailer is loaded beyond its rating This means that you must consider the rating of the tires wheels and axles For tandem and triple axle trailers you must make sure that the front to rear load distribution does not result in overloading any axle Towing stability also depends on keeping the center of gravity as low as possible Load heavy items on the floor and over the axles When loading additional items be sure to maintain even side to side weight distribution and proper tongue weight The total weight of the trailer and its contents must never exceed the total weight rating of the trailer Gross Vehicle Weight Rating o
47. ers 19 25 10 22 UTQGS Information ccc iieii E devised end EEE EED deen 20 2 5 10 3 Additional Information on Light Truck Tires 0 0 0 0 0 20 25 01 Tire Safety Tips aaronii ri oaa ha a aE e E gi do env E EE EEE EE EE tagisbdt vied oe eats 20 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle 3 1 Use an Adequate Tow Vehicle and Hitch 2 ccs csaeot egy ipse een aveyies vei eabes Souueuder cake pey ataonawyigee da ad uae 22 3 1 1 Trailer Information Certification VIN Label 0 0000 c cece ccc cece eee c ee ee eee e eee eeneeeeees 22 Boe Dento nSt e dawns ee Reape tile hease een aN a a Ya a thant ct wl ten thet co a atl Nekoi ooh 23 3 2 Coupling and Uncoupling the Trailer 0 0 e renee ntti nena eies 24 3 3 Various Coupler Desionsscrccsia ote cs tite tne etc Su SEAE salted de spay tile Woe A EE G gtd gates 25 3 3 1 Trailer with Ball Coupler or Pintle Eye 0 ener nen eiee 25 3 3 1 1 Before Coupling the Ball Pintle Hook to the Tow Vehicle 0 0 cece 25 3 3 1 2 Coupling witha Ball Hatches tiesni etn ea a inn E E a E E ia AA 26 3 3 1 3 Coupling with a Pintle Hook Hitch 00 eneenes 26 3 3 1 4 Rig Safety Chains si vin an hace baie ea elds eae aad oh RE E orb pene ee aR Ren 27 3 3 1 5 Attach and Test Breakaway Brake System and Safety Components 064 27 3 3 1 6 Uncoupling the Dally Pintle Hook its tists sere tte i Os AERA A deer 28 2 Contents 4 Loading the Trailer A1 Tongue Weighitess catiueesa cookies as
48. es of the wheels so that they are positioned correctly relative to the vehicle s frame This adjustment maximizes the life of your tires These adjustments require special equipment and should be performed by a qualified technician 2 5 9 Tire Repair The proper repair of a punctured tire requires a plug for the hole and a patch for the area inside the tire that surrounds the puncture hole Punctures through the tread can be repaired if they are not too large but punctures to the sidewall should not be repaired Tires must be removed from the rim to be properly inspected before being plugged and patched 2 5 10 Tire Fundamentals Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the sidewall of all tires This information identifies and describes the fundamental characteristics of the tire and also provides a tire identification number for safety standard certification and in case of a recall Information 19 2 5 10 1 Information on Passenger Vehicle Tires Radial Rim diameter code Ratio of heightto width aspect ratio Load index amp Nominal width of tire in millimeters g za5l65 identihcation number w R15 95 Ay s 00r ita __ Severe snow conditions use Treadwear traction and temperature grades Max load rating P The P indicates the tire is for passenger vehicles NEXT NUMBER This three digit number gives the width i
49. g Tongue Weight figure The brick should be about the same thickness as the bathroom scale Leave a 3 foot distance between the pipes and place the coupler about 2 feet from the pipe on the bathroom scale Place a strong block support such as a cement block on the board Note the weight indicated on the scale Lower the tongue until the coupler rests on the block support and the jack is 2 inch above the ground Subtract the scale reading with the block and board alone from the scale reading with the trailer on the block Multiply the result by 3 to get the actual tongue weight Example e Scale reading with block and board alone 10 lbs e Scale reading with trailer coupler resting on board 50 Ibs e Actual tongue weight 50 10 x 3 120 lbs For heavier trailers it is easier to go to a truck stop where there is a certified scale Pull only the tow vehicle onto the scale and get the weight This weight must be less than your tow vehicles GVWR Pull the trailer onto the scale and decouple it from the tow vehicle leaving just the trailer on the scale Get a ticket which lists the total trailer weight Re connect the trailer to your tow vehicle and the drive the tow vehicle wheels off the scale just leaving the trailer axles on the scale Get a second ticket which lists the trailers axle weight Simple subtract the axle weight from the total weight to determine the hitch weight While you are at the scale
50. g towed and your state law regulations determine the size of the mirrors However some states prohibit extended mirrors on a tow vehicle except while a trailer is actually being towed In this situation detachable extended mirrors are necessary Check with your dealer or the appropriate state agency for mirror requirements HEAVY DUTY FLASHER A Heavy Duty Flasher is an electrical component that may be required when your trailer turn signal lights are attached to the tow vehicle flasher circuit 23 ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR An Electrical Connector connects the light and brake systems on the trailer to the light and brake controls on the towing vehicle HEAVY DUTY ENGINE OIL COOLING SYSTEM The tow vehicle engine works harder when a trailer 1s being towed Depending on the size of the trailer you may need to install a separate engine oil cooler Inadequate cooling may result in sudden engine failure Ask the tow vehicle dealer if it is necessary to install a heavy duty cooling system AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER The automatic transmission of a towing vehicle handles more power when a trailer is being towed Inadequate cooling will shorten transmission life and may result in sudden transmission failure Ask the tow vehicle dealer if it is necessary to install a separate oil cooler for the automatic transmission FIRE EXTINGUISHER It is sensible to have a fire extinguisher in the tow vehicle EMERGENCY FLARES AND EMERGENC
51. h both sides of the rubber mat as well as the floor and walls of the trailer Rinse the rubber mat and the trailer floor and walls Be sure the rubber mat and trailer floor are completely dry before replacing the rubber mat 7 2 2 1 Fasteners and Frame Members Inspect all of the fasteners and structural frame members for bending and other damage cracks or failure Repair or replace any damaged fastener and repair the frame member If you have any questions about the condition or method of repair of fasteners or frame members get the recommendation of or have the repair done by your dealer A WARNING Broken or damaged fasteners or welds can cause injury or damage to trailer and contents Inspect for and repair all damaged parts at least once a year 7 2 2 2 Welds All welds can crack or fail when subjected to heavy loads or movement of cargo that was not properly tied to prevent movement Any time that you know or suspect that the trailer has been subjected to heavy loads or movement of cargo immediately inspect the welds and fasteners for damage To prevent severe damage to your trailer inspect all of the welds for cracks or failure at least once a year Improper weld repair will lead to early failure of the trailer structure and can cause serious injury or death Do not repair cracked or broken welds unless you have the skills and equipment to make a proper repair If not have the welds repaired by yo
52. heck the operation of the surge mechanism Standard mirrors usually do not provide adequate visibility for viewing traffic to the sides and rear a towed trailer You must provide mirrors that allow you to safely observe approaching traffic General Safet 1 2 14 Hazards From Modifying Your Trailer Essential safety items can be damaged by altering your trailer Even simply driving a nail or screw to hang something can damage an electrical circuit LP gas line or other feature of the trailer Before making any alteration to your trailer contact your dealer or MGS at 800 952 4228 or 717 336 7528 and describe the alteration you are contemplating Alteration of the trailer structure or modification of mechanical electrical plumbing heating or other systems on your trailer must be performed only by qualified technicians who are familiar with the system as installed on your trailer 1 2 15 Trailer Towing Guide Driving a vehicle with a trailer in tow is vastly different from driving the same vehicle without a trailer in tow Acceleration maneuverability and braking are all diminished with a trailer in tow It takes longer to get up to speed you need more room to turn and pass and more distance to stop when towing a trailer You will need to spend time adjusting to the different feel and maneuverability of the tow vehicle with a loaded trailer Because of the significant differences in all aspects of maneuverability when t
53. ice the counterbalance Take the trailer to your dealer for service Carefully lower the drop ramp to the ground Load the cargo up the drop ramp and into the trailer with approximately 60 of the cargo in the front half of the trailer If the trailer has living quarters the cargo area of your trailer will have ventilation openings near the floor Do not block these ventilation openings These openings are provided to exhaust potentially deadly fumes A WARNING Accumulation of hazardous fumes can cause death or serious injury Do not block access to ventilation ports Secure the cargo to the trailer using appropriate straps chains and tensioning devices Close the drop ramp door and secure the trailer door catch using a linchpin or other locking device so that the catch and door cannot open while the trailer is being towed Checking the Trailer Before and During Each Tow 5 Checking the Trailer Before and During Each Tow 5 1 Pre Tow Checklist Before towing double check all of these items See Inspection Service amp Maintenance Summary Charts for more information e Tires wheels and lug nuts see the Major Hazards section e Tire Pressure Inflate tire on trailer and tow vehicle to the pressure stated on the VIN Certification label e Coupler secured and locked see the Coupling and Uncoupling the Trailer section e Safety chains properly rigged to tow vehicle not
54. icle Discuss the following information and equipment with the vehicle dealer OVERALL CARRYING CAPACITY OF VEHICLE Vehicle manufacturers will provide you with the maximum towing capacities of their various models as well as the GCWR No amount of reinforcement will give a 100 horsepower 2 500 pound truck the towing capacity that a 300 horsepower 5 000 pound truck has AND TOWING TOWING HITCH The towing hitch attached to your tow vehicle must have a capacity equal to or greater than the load rating of the trailer you intend to tow The hitch capacity must also be matched to the tow vehicle capacity SUSPENSION SYSTEM A tow vehicle equipped with a factory installed Towing Package likely comes equipped with heavy duty springs heavy duty tires and other suspension components which are able to serve the size and weight of the trailer that the vehicle is rated to tow However the addition of additional equipment may further improve the tow vehicle performance These may include adjustable air shocks helper springs etc BRAKE CONTROLLER The brake controller is part of the tow vehicle and 1s essential in the operation of the electric brakes on the trailer If your trailer has electric brakes it requires a brake controller be installed at the driver s position The brake controller is not the same as the safety breakaway brake system that is installed on the trailer SIDE VIEW MIRRORS The size of the trailer that is bein
55. if your tires are not cold Because tires are designed to be used on more than one type of vehicle tire manufacturers list the maximum permissible inflation pressure on the tire sidewall This number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under normal driving conditions 2 5 4 Checking Tire Pressure It is important to check your vehicle s tire pressure at least once a month for the following reasons e Most tires may naturally lose air over time e Tires can lose air suddenly if you drive over a pothole or other object or if you strike the curb when parking e With radial tires it is usually not possible to determine underinflation by visual inspection Information 18 For convenience purchase a tire pressure gauge to keep in your vehicle Gauges can be purchased at tire dealerships auto supply stores and other retail outlets The recommended tire inflation pressure that vehicle manufacturers provide reflects the proper psi when a tire is cold The term cold does not relate to the outside temperature Rather a cold tire is one that has not been driven on for at least three hours When you drive your tires get warmer causing the air pressure within them to increase Therefore to get an accurate tire pressure reading you must measute tire pressure when the tires are cold or compensate for the extra pressure in warm tires 2 5 5 Steps for Maintaining Proper Tire Pressure
56. in or on the trailer plus the empty weight of the trailer itself must not exceed the trailer s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR If you do not know the empty weight of the trailer plus the cargo weight you must weigh the loaded trailer at a commercial scale In addition you must distribute the load in the trailer such that the load on any axle does not exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating GAWR If your trailer is equipped with a Tire amp Loading Information Placard mounted next to the Information Certification VIN label the cargo capacity weight stated on that placard is only a close estimate The GVWR and GAWR s are listed on the Certification VIN label mounted on the front left side of the trailer An overloaded trailer can result in loss of control of the trailer leading to death or serious injury Do not exceed the trailer Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR or the Gross Axle Weight Rating GAWR Do not load a trailer so that the weight on any tire exceeds its rating 1 2 10 Unsafe Load Distribution Improper front rear load distribution can lead to poor trailer sway stability or poor tow vehicle handling Poor trailer sway stability results from tongue weights that are too low and poor tow vehicle stability results from tongue weights that are too high Refer to Chapter heading Loading the Trailer for more information In the table below the second column shows the rule of thumb per
57. ions or protective bands or ribs PLY A layer of rubber coated parallel cords PLY SEPARATION A parting of rubber compound between adjacent plies Information PNEUMATIC TIRE A mechanical device made of rubber chemicals fabric and steel or other materials that when mounted on an automotive wheel provides the traction and contains the gas or fluid that sustains the load PRODUCTION OPTIONS WEIGHT The combined weight of those installed regular production options weighing over 2 3 kilograms 5 lbs in excess of those standard items which they replace not previously considered in curb weight or accessory weight including heavy duty brakes ride levelers roof rack heavy duty battery and special trim RADIAL PLY TIRE A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at substantially 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE This is the inflation pressure provided by the vehicle manufacturer on the Tire Information label and on the Certification VIN tag REINFORCED TIRE A tire designed to operate at higher loads and at higher inflation pressures than the corresponding standard tire RIM A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube assembly upon which the tire beads are seated RIM DIAMETER This means the nominal diameter of the bead seat RIM SIZE DESIGNATION This means the rim diameter and width RIM TYPE DESIGNATION This means the industry of
58. is updated regularly Information supplied is subject to change Please contact MGS with any questions you may have regarding the safe operation of your trailer If you need copies of any of the documents mentioned in this manual contact us for a free copy MGS INCORPORATED 178 MUDDY CREEK CHURCH RD DENVER PA 17517 PHONE 800 952 4228 717 336 7528 FAX 717 336 0514 info mgsmail com WWW mgsincorporated com For further details on trailer components please see the following links Dexter Axles http www dexteraxle com literature1 For Dexter axles brakes and hubs click the link above and select the appropriate axle capacity section under the heading Service Manuals Demco Brake Actuators http dem co tc drum brake actuators For Demco hydraulic brake actuators click the link above and select the appropriate actuator model for the application required Titan Dico Brake Actuators htto www titan intl com i i manuals For Titan Dico hydraulic brake actuators click the link above and select the appropriate actuator model for the application required Bulldog Trailer Jacks http www bulldogproducts net content products aspx lvl 1 amp parenti d 7500 amp catID 0 amp part 0 For Bulldog trailer jacks click the link above and select the appropriate type and model of jack for the application required
59. ith a load rating less than the load rating of the trailer can result in loss of control and may lead to death or serious injury Use of a tow vehicle with a towing capacity less than the load rating of the trailer can result in loss of control and may lead to death or serious injury Be sure your hitch and tow vehicle are rated for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR of your trailer 3 1 1 Trailer Information Certification VIN Label A trailers Certification VIN Label is typically located on the tongue or front frame of the trailer MGS INC owe VINJNIV GVWA PNBY MFD BY FABRIQUE PAR ALL AXLES TOUS LES ESSIEUX GAWR PNBE TIRES PNEU RIMS JANTE COLD INFL PRE PRESS DE GONFL AFROID TYPE TYPE DE VEHICULE TRAILER REMORQUE fT THIS VEHIC LE CONF ORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE U S FEDERAL MOTOR HICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF VE MANUFACTL URE SHOWN ABOVE THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE STANDARDS PRESCRIBED UNDER THE CANADIAN MOTOR VEHICLE Y REGULATIONS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF CE VEHICULE EST CONFORME A TOUTES LES NORMES QUI LUI SONT APPLICABLES EN VERTU DU REGLEMENT SUR LA SECURITE DES VEHICULES AUTOMOBILES DU CANADA EN VIGUEUR A LA DATE DE SA FABRICATION 22 MANUFACTURER Name of trailer manufacturer DATE OF MANUFACTURE Month and year the trailer was manufactured GVWR The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the maximum allowable gross weigh
60. k mechanism Grease the gears in 40 the top of hand cranked jacks once a year by removing the top of the jack and pumping or hand packing grease into the gears 7 2 7 Lights and Signals Before each tow check the trailer taillights stoplights turn signals and any clearance lights for proper operation 7 WARNING Improper operating taillights stoplights and turn signals can cause collisions Check all lights before each tow 7 2 8 Accessory Battery Your trailer may be outfitted with an accessory battery that operates lighting electric landing gear slide outs or other accessories An accessory battery may be kept charged either by the tow vehicle or by the generator or shore power See the manual for the accessory battery A disconnect switch may be provided to disconnect the accessory battery when you do not plan to be using the trailer for an extended period such as seasonal storage If there is no disconnect switch then remove the cables from the battery terminals The accessory battery must be kept in a charged condition during storage The battery could freeze and break if it becomes discharged 7 2 9 Tires Trailer tires may be worn out even though they still have plenty of tread left This is because trailer tires have to carry a lot of weight all the time even when not in use It is actually better for the tire to be rolling down the road than to be idle During use the tire releases
61. lectrical break away switch on the trailer The breakaway switch is activated by a separate battery supply in the trailer such as to energize the trailer brakes independently of the towing vehicle It is important to check the state of charge of the emergency break away battery before each trip Simply pull the pin out of the switch by hand and then try to pull the trailer If you feel a significant drag force the brakes are activated Be sure to re insert the pin in the break away switch Also be sure to allow enough slack in the break away brake lanyard such that the switch will only activate pin pulls out if the coupler connection comes loose JACK A device on the trailer that is used to raise and lower the trailer tongue On larger trailers the jack is sometimes called the landing gear An improperly coupled trailer can result in death or serious injury Do not move the trailer until e The coupler is secured and locked to hitch e The safety chains are secured to the tow vehicle e The trailer jack s are fully retracted Do not tow the trailer on the road until e Tires and wheels are checked e The trailer brakes are checked e The breakaway switch is connected to the tow vehicle e The load is secured to the trailer e The trailer lights are connected and checked Coupling to the Tow Vehicle 3 3 Various Coupler Designs Trailers are produced with a variety of coupler devices One of the section
62. ler comes loose from the hitch and the breakaway pin is pulled The other brake is an electric braking system that acts whenever the brakes of the tow vehicle are applied 7 2 4 3 1 Breakaway System Battery This battery supplies the power to operate the trailer brakes if the trailer uncouples from the tow vehicle Please be sure to check maintain and replace the battery according to the battery manufacturer instructions Extreme cold weather can degrade battery performance and cause brakes to not operate properly Always check battery charge level before towing 7 2 4 3 2 Breakaway System Switch This switch causes the breakaway battery to operate the electric brakes if the trailer uncouples from the tow vehicle The pull cable for the pull pin is connected to the tow vehicle and the switch is connected to the trailer To check for proper functioning of the switch battery and brakes you must pull the pin from the switch and confirm that the brakes apply to each wheel You can do this by trying to pull the trailer with the tow vehicle after pulling the pin The trailer brakes may not lock Inspection Service and Maintenance but you will notice that a greater force is needed to pull the trailer Be sure that your breakaway brake battery is fully charged after testing If electric breakaway brakes do not operate when trailer is uncoupled from the tow vehicle death or serious injury can occur Check emerge
63. level once a month The brake fluid reservoir is located on the tongue of the trailer or near the gooseneck Fill with DOT 4 brake fluid 7 2 4 4 1 Hydraulic Surge In a hydraulic surge brake system the trailer s service brakes are applied by the inertial differential pressure 39 developed between the tow vehicle and the trailer during the braking process This in turn creates a mechanical pressure which is applied to the push rod of the master cylinder in the hydraulic surge brake coupler which activates the brakes 7 2 4 4 2 Vacuum Operated Hydraulic When towing a trailer the vacuum gauge which 1s located inside the cab of the tow vehicle must indicate 18 In Hg inches of mercury or more at all times A WARNING If the vacuum gauge in tow vehicle is not at or above 18 In Hg inches of mercury damage to the brake system will result and the brakes may become inoperable 7 2 4 4 3 Air Pressure Operated Hydraulic Air hydraulic braking systems are typically used when the tow vehicle has a diesel engine The tow vehicle has an air compressor that routes the air to an ait hydraulic mechanism which sends brake fluid to the wheel cylinders The air pressure gauge in your tow vehicle indicates the current air pressure See your tow vehicle manual for the proper air pressure 7 2 4 4 4 Electric Operated Hydraulic Electric hydraulic braking systems which are mounted on the trailer use
64. manufacturer s designation for a rim by style or code RIM WIDTH This means the nominal distance between rim flanges SECTION WIDTH The linear distance between the exteriors of the sidewalls of an inflated tire excluding elevations due to labeling decoration or protective bands SIDEWALL That portion of a tire between the tread and bead SIDEWALL SEPARATION The parting of the rubber compound from the cord material in the sidewall SPECIAL TRAILER ST TIRE The ST is an indication the tire is for trailer use only TEST RIM The rim on which a tire is fitted for testing and may be any rim listed as appropriate for use with that tire TREAD That portion of a tire that comes into contact with the road TREAD RIB A tread section running circumferentially around a tire TREAD SEPARATION Pulling away of the tread from the tire carcass TREADWEAR INDICATORS TWI The projections within the principal grooves designed to give a visual indication of the degrees of wear of the tread VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT The rated cargo and luggage load plus 68 kg 150 lbs times the vehicle s designated seating capacity VEHICLE MAXIMUM LOAD ON THE TIRE The load on an individual tire that is determined by distributing to each axle its share of the maximum loaded vehicle weight and dividing by two VEHICLE NORMAL LOAD ON THE TIRE The load on an individual tire that is determined by distributing to each axle its share of the
65. n millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge In general the larger the number the wider the tire NEXT NUMBER This two digit number known as the aspect ratio gives the tire s ratio of height to width Numbers of 70 or lower indicate a short sidewall for improved steering response and better overall handling on dry pavement R The R stands for radial Radial ply construction of tires has been the industry standard for the past 20 years NEXT NUMBER This two digit number is the wheel or rim diameter in inches If you change your wheel size you will have to purchase new tires to match the new wheel diameter NEXT NUMBER This two or three digit number is the tire s load index It is a measurement of how much weight each tire can support You may find this information in your owner s manual If not contact a local tire dealer Note You may not find this information on all tires because it is not required by law M S The M S or M S indicates that the tire has some mud and snow capability Most radial tires have these markings hence they have some mud and snow capability Tire Safet U S DOT TIRE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER This begins with the letters DOT and indicates that the tire meets all federal standards The next two numbers or letters are the plant code where it was manufactured and the last four numbers represent the week and year the tire was built For example the numbers 3197 means th
66. n placards and vehicle certification labels contain information on tires and load limits These labels indicate the vehicle manufacturer s information including e Recommended tire size e Recommended tire inflation pressure e Vehicle capacity weight VCW the maximum occupant and cargo weight a vehicle is designed to carry e Front and rear gross axle weight ratings GAWR the maximum weight the axle systems are designed to carry Both placards and certification labels are permanently attached to the trailer near the left front 2 5 3 Understanding Tire Pressure and Load Limits Tire inflation pressure is the level of air in the tire that provides it with load carrying capacity and affects the overall performance of the vehicle The tire inflation pressure is a number that indicates the amount of air pressure measured in pounds per square inch psi a tire requires to be properly inflated You will also find this number on the vehicle information placard expressed in kilopascals kPa which is the metric measure used internationally Manufacturers of passenger vehicles and light trucks determine this number based on the vehicle s design load limit that is the greatest amount of weight a vehicle can safely carry and the vehicle s tire size The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is referred to as the recommended cold inflation pressure As you will read below it is difficult to obtain the recommended tire pressure
67. ncy breakaway brake system BEFORE each tow 7 2 4 3 3 Tow Vehicle Operated Electric Brakes The electric brakes that operate in conjunction with the tow vehicle brakes must be synchronized so that braking is properly distributed to the tow vehicle brakes and the trailer brakes For proper operation and synchronization read and follow the axle brake and the brake controller manufacturers instructions If you do not have these instructions call MGS at 800 952 4228 or 717 336 7528 for a free copy 7 2 4 3 4 Magnets for All Electric Brakes To make certain an electrically operated braking system will function properly you must have your dealer inspect the magnets at least once a year or each 12 000 miles See the brake manual for wear and current inspection instructions 7 2 4 4 Brakes Hydraulic If your trailer has hydraulically operated brakes they function the same way the hydraulic brakes do on your tow vehicle The hydraulic braking system must be inspected by a dealer at least as often as the brakes on the tow vehicle but no less than once per year This inspection includes an assessment of the condition and proper operation of the wheel cylinders brake shoes brake drums and hubs You must check the fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir at least every three months If you tow your trailer an average of 1 000 miles per month in a hot and dry environment you must check the brake fluid
68. nd look behind the trailer to make sure that there are no obstacles Some drivers place their hands at the bottom of the steering wheel and while the tow vehicle is in reverse think of the hands as being on the top of the wheel When the hands move to the right counter clockwise as you would do to turn the tow vehicle to the left when moving forward the rear of the trailer moves to the right Conversely rotating the steering wheel clockwise with your hands at the bottom of the wheel will move the rear of the trailer to the left while backing up If you are towing a bumper hitch rig be careful not to allow the trailer to turn too much because it will hit the rear of the tow vehicle To straighten the rig either pull forward or turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction 1 2 16 Reporting Safety Defects If you believe that your vehicle has a defect that could cause a crash or could cause injury or death you should immediately inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA in addition to notifying MGS at 800 952 4228 or 717 336 7528 If NHTSA receives similar complaints it may open an investigation and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles it may order a recall and remedy campaign However NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you your dealer or MGS To contact NHTSA you may either call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll free at 1 888 327
69. nism clean Dirt or contamination can prevent proper operation of the latching mechanism When replacing a ball the load rating must match or exceed the GVWR of the trailer 7 2 5 2 Pintle Eye The pintle eye on the trailer connects to the hook attached to the hitch on the tow vehicle The eye hook and hitch transfer the towing forces between the tow vehicle and the trailer Before each tow check the locking device that secures the eye to the hook for proper operation See the coupler manufacturer s manual for other inspection and maintenance activities If you do not have this manual call MGS at 800 952 4228 or 717 336 7528 for a free copy If you see or feel evidence of wear such as flat spots deformations pitting or corrosion on the eye immediately have your dealer inspect them to determine the proper action to prevent possible failure of the eye pintle hook system All bent or broken parts must be replaced before towing the trailer The hook locking lever must be able to rotate freely and be pinned snap into the latched position Oil the pivot points and sliding surfaces with SAE 30W motor oil Keep the latch mechanism clean Dirt or contamination can prevent proper operation of the latching mechanism When replacing an eye or pintle hook the load rating must match or exceed the GVWR of the trailer 7 2 6 Landing Leg or Jack If a grease fitting is present you must use a grease gun to lubricate the jac
70. not BEAD The part of the tire that is made of steel wires wrapped or reinforced by ply cords and that is shaped to fit the rim BEAD SEPARATION This is the breakdown of the bond between components in the bead BIAS PLY TIRE A pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that extend to the beads are laid at alternate angles substantially less than 90 degrees to the centerline of the tread CARCASS The tire structure except tread and sidewall rubber which when inflated bears the load CHUNKING The breaking away of pieces of the tread or sidewall COLD INFLATION PRESSURE The pressure in the tire before you drive CORD The strands forming the plies in the tire CORD SEPARATION The parting of cords from adjacent rubber compounds CRACKING Any parting within the tread sidewall or inner liner of the tire extending to cord material CT A pneumatic tire with an inverted flange tire and rim system in which the rim is designed with rim flanges pointed radially inward and the tire is designed to fit on Information the underside of the rim in a manner that encloses the rim flanges inside the air cavity of the tire CURB WEIGHT The weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment including the maximum capacity of fuel oi and coolant and if so equipped air conditioning and additional weight optional engine EXTRA LOAD TIRE A tire designed to operate at higher loads and at higher inflation pressures than the c
71. not overloaded Excessive speed underinflation or excessive loading either separately or in combination can cause heat build up and possible tire failure From highest to lowest a tire s resistance to heat is graded as AMS NBr or as D Information 20 2 5 10 3 Additional Information on Light Truck Tires Maximum load amp inflation when used as a dual Severe snow Light conditions truck tire Maximum load amp inflation when used as a single Load inflation limits Tires for light trucks have other markings besides those found on the sidewalls of passenger tires LT The LT indicates the tire is for light trucks or trailers ST An ST is an indication the tire is for trailer use only MAX LOAD DUAL KG LBS AT KPA PSI COLD This information indicates the maximum load and tire pressure when the tire is used as a dual that is when four tires are put on each rear axle a total of six or more tires on the vehicle MAX LOAD SINGLE KG LBS AT KPA PSI COLD This information indicates the maximum load and tire pressure when the tire is used as a single LOAD RANGE This information identifies the tire s load carrying capabilities and its inflation limits 2 5 11 Tire Safety Tips Preventing Tire Damage e Slow down if you have to go over a pothole or other object in the road e Do not run over curbs or other foreign objects in the roadway and try not to strike the curb wh
72. obtain a cold reading 2 5 6 Tire Size To maintain tire safety purchase new tires that are the same size as the vehicle s original tires or another size recommended by the manufacturer Look at the tire information placard the owner s manual or the sidewall of the tire you are replacing to find this information If you have any doubt about the correct size to choose consult with the tire dealer 2 5 7 Tire Tread The tire tread provides the gripping action and traction that prevent your vehicle from slipping or sliding especially when the road is wet or icy In general tires are not safe and should be replaced when the tread is worn down to 1 16 of an inch Tires have built in treadwear indicators that let you know when it is time to replace your tires These indicators are raised sections spaced intermittently in the bottom of the tread grooves When they appear even with the outside of the tread it is time to replace your tires Another method for checking tread depth is to place a penny in the tread with Lincoln s head upside down and facing you If you can see the top of Lincoln s head you are ready for new tires 2 5 8 Tire Balance and Wheel Alignment To avoid vibration or shaking of the vehicle when a tire rotates the tire must be properly balanced This balance is achieved by positioning weights on the wheel to counterbalance heavy spots on the wheel and tire assembly A wheel alignment adjusts the angl
73. ock washer and hitch frame Wipe the inside and outside of the coupler pintle eye clean and inspect it visually for cracks and deformations feel the inside of the coupler for worn spots and pits If wear on the original surface profile exceeds 1 8 125 the coupler pintle eye should be replaced Be sure the coupler is tight to the tongue of the trailer All coupler fasteners must be visibly solid against the trailer frame 7 WARNING A loose hitch ball nut can result in uncoupling leading to death or serious injury Be sure the hitch ball is tight to the hitch before coupling the trailer Coupling to the Tow Vehicle Raise the bottom surface of the coupler to be above the top of the hitch ball pintle hook Use the jack if one is provided otherwise use wood or concrete blocks to support the trailer tongue 3 3 1 2 Coupling with a Ball Hitch Lubricate the hitch ball and the inside of the coupler with a thin layer of automotive bearing grease If your trailer is equipped with a jack raise the coupler above the ball height Open the coupler locking mechanism Ball couplers have a locking mechanism with an internal moving piece ball clamp and an outside handle wheel or latch In the open position the coupler is able to drop fully onto the hitch ball See the coupler instructions for details of placing the coupler in the open position Slowly back up the tow vehicle so that the hitch ball is ne
74. oes Some braking systems are not automatically adjusted by hard stopping These brakes require manual adjustment The following steps apply to adjust most manually adjustable brakes Read your axle and brake manual to see how to adjust your brakes If you do not have this manual call MGS at 800 952 4228 or 717 336 7528 for a free copy Jack up the trailer and secure it on adequate capacity jack stands Be sure the wheel and brake drum rotate freely Remove the adjusting hole cover from the adjusting slot on the bottom of the brake backing plate With a screwdriver or standard adjusting tool rotate the starwheel of the adjuster assembly to expand the 38 brake shoes Adjust the brake shoes out until the pressure of the linings against the drum makes the wheel very difficult to turn Note Your trailer maybe equipped with drop spindle axles See axle manual for your axle type You will need a modified adjusting tool for adjusting the brakes in these axles With drop spindle axles a modified adjusting tool with about an 80 degree angle should be used Rotate the starwheel in the opposite direction until the wheel turns freely with a slight drag Replace the adjusting hole cover Repeat the above procedure on all brakes Lower the trailer to the ground 7 2 4 3 Brakes Electric Two different types of electric brakes may be present on the trailer an emergency electric breakaway system which acts only if the trai
75. ontrolled stop The breakaway brake system includes a battery a switch with a pullpin and a lanyard Read and follow the instructions here as well as the instructions that have been prepared by the breakaway brake manufacturer If you do not have these instructions call MGS at 800 952 4228 or 717 336 7528 for a free copy The breakaway brake system may be fitted with a charging capability that draws power from the tow vehicle If the electrical system on your tow vehicle does not provide power to the breakaway brake battery you must periodically charge or replace the battery to keep the breakaway brake system in working order Connect the pullpin lanyard to the tow vehicle so that the pullpin will be pulled out before all of the slack in the safety chains is taken up see Breakaway Brake System figure Do not connect the pullpin cable to a safety chain or to the hitch ball or hitch ball assembly This would keep the breakaway brake system from operating when it 1s needed To test the break away brake battery remove the pullpin from the switch and attempt to pull the trailer forward You should feel the trailer resisting being towed but the wheels will not necessarily be locked If the brakes do not function do not tow the trailer until brakes or battery are repaired Immediately replace the pullpin The breakaway brake system battery discharges rapidly when the pullpin is removed Coupling to the Tow Vehicle
76. orresponding standard tire GROOVE The space between two adjacent tread ribs INNERLINER The layer s forming the inside surface of a tubeless tire that contains the inflating medium within the tire INNERLINER SEPARATION The parting of the innerliner from cord material in the carcass INTENDED OUTBOARD SIDEWALL The sidewall that contains a white wall bears white lettering or bears manufacturer brand and or model name molding that is higher or deeper than the same molding on the other sidewall of the tire or the outward facing sidewall of an asymmetrical tire that has a particular side that must always face outward when mounted on a vehicle LIGHT TRUCK LT TIRE A tire designated by its manufacturer as primarily intended for use on lightweight trucks or multipurpose passenger vehicles LOAD RATING The maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for a given inflation pressure MAXIMUM LOAD RATING The load rating for a tire at the maximum permissible inflation pressure for that tire MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE INFLATION PRESSURE The maximum cold inflation pressure to which a tire may be inflated MAXIMUM LOADED VEHICLE WEIGHT The sum of curb weight accessory weight vehicle capacity weight and production options weight Tire Safet MEASURING RIM The rim on which a tire is fitted for physical dimension requirements NON PNEUMATIC RIM A mechanical device which when a non pneumatic tire assembly incorporates a wheel
77. owing a trailer the hazards and risks of injury are also much greater than when driving without a trailer You are responsible for keeping your vehicle and trailer in control and for all the damage that is caused if you lose control of your vehicle and trailer As you did when learning to drive an automobile find an open area with little or no traffic for your first practice trailering Of course before you start towing the trailer you must follow all of the instructions for inspection testing loading and coupling Also before you start towing adjust the mirrors so you can see the trailer as well as the area to the rear of it Drive slowly at first 5 mph or so and turn the wheel to get the feel of how the tow vehicle and trailer combination responds Next make some right and left hand turns Watch in your side mirrors to see how the trailer follows the tow vehicle Turning with a trailer attached requires more room Stop the rig a few times from speeds no greater than 10 mph If your trailer is equipped with brakes try using different combinations of trailer electric brake and tow vehicle brake Note the effect that the trailer brakes have when they are the only brakes used When properly adjusted the trailer brakes will come on just before the tow vehicle brakes 10 Information It will take practice to learn how to back up a tow vehicle with a trailer attached Take it slow Before backing up get out of the tow vehicle a
78. r GVWR An overloaded trailer can result in loss of control of the trailer leading to death or serious injury Do not exceed the trailer Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR or the Gross Axle Weight Rating GAWR Do not load a trailer so that the weight on any tire exceeds its rating 29 4 1 Tongue Weight It is critical to have a portion of the trailer load carried by the tow vehicle That is the trailer tongue must exert a downward force on the hitch This is necessary for two reasons First the proper amount of tongue weight is necessary for the tow vehicle to be able to maintain control of the tow vehicle trailer system If for example the tongue exerts an upward pull on the hitch instead of pushing down on it because the trailer is overloaded behind its axle s the rear wheel of the tow vehicle can lose traction or grip and cause loss of control Also even if there is some weight on the tongue but not enough weight on the tongue the trailer can become unstable at high speeds Remember the faster you go the more likely the trailer is to sway If on the other hand there is too much tongue weight the tow vehicle is prone to jack knife Furthermore the front wheels of the tow vehicle can be too lightly loaded and cause loss of steering control and traction if the front wheels are driving In addition to tow vehicle control tongue weight is necessary to insure that the trailer axle s do not exc
79. r open trailer A WARNING Do not transport flammable explosive poisonous or other dangerous materials in your trailer 4 2 1 1 Preparing the Trailer for Loading Before loading cargo onto the trailer e Inspect the deck of the trailer for corrosion or damage and e Inspect the hold down openings and or D rings Hold down openings must be sturdy with no visible cracks or kinks D rings must be tight to the deck and must not be bent If the deck or any required hold down is damaged do not load the cargo Bring the trailer to your dealer or a competent repair service before using it to carry cargo Damaged or loose D rings can break allowing cargo to become loose inside the trailer Loose cargo can shift the center of gravity and result in loss of control of the trailer Inspect D rings and test them for looseness before loading cargo Do not use a damaged or loose D ring to secure cargo 4 2 1 2 Loading a Rigid Deck Trailer Open trailers have either a rigid deck or a pivoting deck depending on the exact model This subsection describes loading a rigid deck trailer Before loading a rigid deck trailer couple the trailer to the tow vehicle and make sure the rigid deck is level Do not load or unload the trailer when the deck is not level Make sure the top of the ramp or ramps is secure to the trailer and the bottom is resting on firm ground Pockets may be provided
80. racks before coupling Replace worn corroded or cracked hitch components before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle e Be sure the hitch components are tight before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle An improperly coupled trailer can result in death or serious injury Do not move the trailer until e The coupler is secured and locked to hitch e The safety chains are secured to the tow vehicle e The trailer jack s are fully retracted Do not tow the trailer on the road until e Tires and wheels are checked e The trailer brakes are checked e The breakaway switch is connected to the tow vehicle e The load is secured to the trailer e The trailer lights are connected and checked General Safet Information 1 2 5 Proper Use of Safety Chains If your trailer comes loose from the hitch for any reason we have provided safety chains so that control of the trailer can still be maintained Improper rigging of the safety chains can result in loss of control of the trailer and tow vehicle leading to death or serious injury if the trailer uncouples from the tow vehicle e Fasten chains to frame of tow vehicle Do not fasten chains to any part of the hitch unless the hitch has holes or loops specifically for that purpose e Cross chains underneath hitch and coupler with enough slack to permit turning and to hold tongue up if the trailer comes loose 1 2 6 Proper Conn
81. ransport of people puts their lives at risk and may be illegal A WARNING Do not transport flammable explosive poisonous or other dangerous materials in your trailer 4 2 2 1 Preparing the Trailer for Loading Before loading cargo into your enclosed trailer inspect the interior of the trailer Enclosed trailers may be fitted with D ring hold downs and or a track system that can be used to secure the cargo Inspect the D rings and track system for looseness or signs of bending before loading the cargo onto the trailer Damaged or loose D rings can break allowing cargo to become loose inside the trailer Loose cargo can shift the center of gravity and result in loss of control of the trailer Inspect D rings and test them for looseness before loading cargo Do not use a damaged or loose D ring to secure cargo 4 2 2 2 Loading the Enclosed Trailer Enclosed trailers may be fitted with a drop ramp door The weight of the drop ramp door is partially held by a spring and cable counterbalance assembly If the spring and cable counterbalance assembly is out of adjustment or worn out it will not provide the expected assistance for slow and careful lowering and raising of ramp A spring and cable counterbalance can inflict serious injury if it breaks or if incorrectly adjusted Inspect the cable and cable ends each time the door is operated Do not attempt to serv
82. re worn when sidewall has a bulge or sidewall is worn Section 7 2 9 Inspection and Service Each Year or 12 000 Miles Item Inspection Service Manual Section Reference Brakes all types gt Shoes and drums Check for scoring and wear Replace per manufacturer s specifications Section 7 2 4 See Brake Mfr s Manual Jack Drop leg Grease gears at top Section 7 2 6 See Jack Mfr s Manual Structure gt Frame members Inspect all frame members bolts amp rivets Repair or replace damaged worn or broken parts Section 7 2 2 1 gt Welds Inspect all welds Repairas Section 7 2 2 2 needed Wheels Check and confirm free Section 7 2 11 gt Sealed Bearings Hubs gt UNSEALED Bearings Hubs gt Rims running Replace if not sealed bearings are not serviceable Disassemble inspect assemble and repack Replace promptly if immersed in water Inspect for cracks amp dents Replace as needed Section 7 2 11 1 See Axle Mfrs Manual Section 7 2 10 Structure gt Axle Attachment Bolts Check BY DEALER Section 7 2 1 36 Inspection Service and Maintenance 7 2 Inspection and Service Instructions 7 2 1 Axle Bolts Frame Suspension amp Structure 7 WARNING Worn or broken suspension parts can cause loss of control and injury may result Have trailer professionally inspected annually and after any impact
83. re supplier to determine if your tires need to be replaced If you are storing your trailer for an extended period make sure the tires are fully inflated to the maximum rated pressure and that you store them in a cool dry place such as a garage Use tire covers to protect the trailer tires from the harsh effects of the sun 2 2 Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit TE em ME The most important load limit of your trailer is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR The total loaded weight of the trailer must never exceed the GVWR The available cargo and luggage payload capacity will be reduced by any equipment installed on your trailer Even semi permanent equipment such as spare tire brackets generators tool boxes compressors batteries etc may reduce the available payload The weights of these items will not be accounted for on the Tire and Loading Information Placard if they were installed on your trailer after it left the factory If any additional items have been installed on your trailer by a dealer reseller or previous owner you must weigh the empty trailer to determine the available payload capacity Use the instructions found in Section 2 1 2 to determine the correct load limit for your trailer if you believe that additional equipment may have been mounted to your trailer ATTENTION OPERATOR RISK OF DEATH DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL NEVER EXCEED GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING GVWR WEIGH UNIT TO VERIFY
84. roller that sends power to the trailer brakes Before towing the trailer on the road you must operate the brake controller while trying to pull the trailer in order to confirm that the electric brakes operate While towing the trailer at less than 5 m p h manually operate the electric brake controller in the tow vehicle cab You should feel the operation of the trailer brakes 28 Improper electrical connection between the tow vehicle and the trailer will result in inoperable lights and electric brakes and can lead to collision Before each tow e Check that the taillights brake lights and turn signals work e Check that the electric brakes work by operating the brake controller inside the tow vehicle 3 3 1 6 Uncoupling the Ball Pintle Hook Block trailer tires to prevent the trailer from rolling before jacking or lifting the tongue of the trailer Disconnect the electrical connector Disconnect the breakaway brake switch lanyard Disconnect the safety chains from the tow vehicle Unlock the coupler and open it Before extending jack make certain the ground surface below the jack pad will support the tongue load Rotate the jack handle or crank clockwise This will slowly extend the jack and transfer the weight of the trailer tongue to the jack Loading the Trailer 4 Loading the Trailer Improper trailer loading causes many accidents and deaths To safely load a trailer you must consider e Ov
85. rucks and busses e When encountering trailer sway take your foot off the gas and steer as little as possible in order to stay on the road Use small trim like steering adjustments Do not attempt to steer out of the sway you ll only make it worse Also do not apply the tow vehicle brakes to correct trailer swaying On the other hand application of the trailer brakes alone will tend to straighten out the combination especially when going downhill e Check rearview mirrors frequently to observe the trailer and traffic e Use lower gear when driving down steep or long grades Use the engine and transmission as a brake Do not ride the brakes as they can overheat and become ineffective Information e Be aware of your trailer height especially when approaching bridges roofed areas and around trees 1 2 4 Trailer Not Properly Coupled to the Hitch It is critical that the trailer be securely coupled to the hitch and that the safety chains and emergency break away brake cable are correctly attached Uncoupling may result in death or serious injury to you and to others Proper selection and condition of the coupler and hitch are essential to safely towing your trailer A loss of coupling may result in death or serious injury e Be sure the hitch load rating is equal to or greater than the load rating of the coupler e Be sure the hitch size matches the coupler size e Observe the hitch for wear corrosion and c
86. ry for the proper combination of every trailer tow vehicle and hitch Therefore you must read understand and follow the instructions given by the tow vehicle and trailer hitch manufacturers as well as the instructions in this manual Our trailers are built with components produced by various manufacturers Some of these items have separate instruction manuals Where this manual indicates that you should read another manual and you do not have that manual call MGS at 800 952 4228 or 717 336 7528 for a free copy The safety information in this manual is denoted by the safety alert symbol amp The level of risk is indicated by the following signal words DANGER Immediate hazards which WILL result in severe personal injury or death if the warning is ignored A WARNING WARNING Hazards or unsafe practices which COULD result in severe personal injury or death if the warning is ignored CAUTION Hazards or unsafe practices which could result in minor or moderate injury if the warning is ignored A Notice NOTICE Practices that could result in damage to the trailer or other property Information 1 2 Major Hazards Loss of control of the trailer or trailer tow vehicle combination can result in death or serious injury The most common causes for loss of control of the trailer are e Improperly sizing the trailer for the tow vehicle or vice versa e Excessive Sp
87. s Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit Trailer Section 2 3 contains Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit Tow Vehicle Section 2 4 contains a Glossary of Tire Terminology including cold inflation pressure maximum inflation pressure recommended inflation pressure and other non technical terms Section 2 5 contains information from the NHTSA brochure entitled Tire Safety Everything Rides On It This brochure as well as preceding subsections describes the following items e Tire labeling including a description and explanation of each marking on the tires and information about the DOT Tire Identification Number TIN e Recommended tire inflation pressure including a description and explanation of Cold inflation pressure B Vehicle Placard and location on the vehicle C Adverse safety consequences of under inflation including tire failure D Measuring and adjusting air pressure for proper inflation e Tire Care including maintenance and safety practices e Vehicle load limits including a description and explanation of the following items A Locating and understanding the load limit information total load capacity and cargo capacity B Calculating total and cargo capacities with varying seating configurations including quantitative examples showing illustrating how the vehicles cargo and luggage capacity decreases as combined number and size of occup
88. s below will pertain to your trailer e Bumper pull Ball Hitch Coupler e Pintle Hook and Eye e Gooseneck Hitch Coupler manual See supplement e Fifth Wheel Coupler See supplement manual If the coupler on your trailer does not resemble one of the couplers shown in the figures see the separate coupler instructions If you do not have separate coupler instructions call MGS at 800 952 4228 or 717 336 7528 for a free copy 3 3 1 Trailer with Ball Coupler or Pintle Eye A ball coupler or pintle eye connects to a ball or pintle hook that is located on or under the rear bumper of tow vehicle These systems of coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle are sometimes referred to as bumper pull A ball hitch pintle eye trailer may be fitted with a tongue jack that can raise and lower the coupler The tongue jack is mounted to the A frame front or tongue part of the trailer By rotating the jack handle clockwise the jack will extend and raise the tongue of the trailer Be sure the ball hitch pintle eye coupler is suitable for the size and weight of the trailer The load rating of the coupler and the necessary ball size are listed on the trailer tongue You must provide a hitch and ball pintle hook for your tow vehicle where the load rating of the hitch and ball pintle hook are equal to or greater than that of your trailer Also the ball size must be the same as the coupler size If the ball is too small too large is
89. safely towing a trailer is 60 mph If you drive too fast the trailer 1s more likely to sway thus increasing the possibility for loss of control Also your tires may overheat thus increasing the possibility of a blowout A WARNING Driving too fast for conditions can result in loss of control and cause death or serious injury Decrease your speed as road weather and lighting conditions deteriorate 1 2 3 Failure to Adjust Driving Behavior When Towing a Trailer When towing a trailer you will have decreased acceleration increased stopping distance and increased turning radius which means you must make wider turns to keep from hitting curbs vehicles and anything else that is on the inside corner Furthermore the trailer will change the handling characteristics of your towing vehicle making it more sensitive to steering inputs and more likely to be pushed around in windy conditions or when being passed by large vehicles In addition you will need a longer distance to pass due to slower acceleration and increased length With these caveats in mind e Be alert for slippery conditions You are more likely to be effected by slippery road surfaces when driving a tow vehicle with a trailer than driving a tow vehicle without a trailer g e Anticipate the trailer swaying Swaying can be caused by excessive steering wind gusts roadway edges or by the trailer reaction to the pressure wave created by passing t
90. t of the trailer and its contents The gross weight of the trailer includes the weight of the trailer and all of the items within it such as cargo water food and other supplies GAWR The Gross Axle Weight Rating is the maximum gross weight that an axle can support It is the lowest of axle wheel or tire rating Sometimes the tire or wheel rating is lower than the axle manufacturers rating and will then determine GAWR The sum total of the GAWR for all trailer axles may be less than the GVWR for the trailer because some of the trailer load is carried by the tow vehicle rather than by the trailer axle s The total weight of the cargo and trailer must not exceed the GVWR and the load on an axle must not exceed its GAWR TIRE SIZE The tire size recommended for your trailer and load range PSIC The pounds per square inch cold is the tire pressure Kilopascals Pounds per Square Inch measured when Cold CERTIFICATION STATEMENT This trailer meets all the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in effect on the date of manufacture shown above VIN The Vehicle Identification Number VEHICLE TYPE Generally the word trailer is used However after this you may put a Model or additional descriptor Coupling to the Tow Vehicle 3 1 2 Definitions TOW VEHICLE When equipping a new vehicle or an older vehicle to tow your trailer ask the vehicle dealer for advice on how to outfit the towing veh
91. the coupler locking mechanism Pintle eye couplers have a locking mechanism that closes the hook and locks it with an outside handle In the released position the pintle eye is able to drop fully onto the pintle hook Release the lock by removing the spring pin and pulling the handle lever up and toward you to the rear stop on the casting The handle can be held in the released position by installing the spring pin back into the locking hole You can now swing the top of the hook up Using the trailer jack lower the trailer and cause the pintle eye to fully engage the pintle hook If the pintle eye does not line up with the pintle hook adjust the position of the tow vehicle Engage the coupler locking mechanism In the engaged position the locking mechanism closes the pintle hook so that the pintle eye is trapped The pintle eye must be free to move within the pintle hook on both axis without binding Be sure to check that there is no binding and that the eye is free to swing on the horizontal and vertical axis Make sure that the pintle eye is trapped by the pintle hook and the locking mechanism is engaged A properly engaged locking mechanism will permit the coupler to raise the rear of the tow vehicle Using the trailer jack test to see that you can raise the rear of the tow vehicle by 1 inch Coupling to the Tow Vehicle A Notice Overloading can damage the tongue jack Do not use the tongue jack to
92. to hold the ramp to the frame of the trailer A WARNING Load can suddenly move or topple which can result in death or serious injury Do not load or unload your open trailer unless it is prevented from tipping and is on firm and level ground Load the cargo onto the trailer with approximately 60 of the cargo in the front half of the trailer Secure the cargo to the trailer using appropriate straps chains and tensioning devices Since the trailer ride can be bumpy and rough you must secure your cargo so that it does not shift while the trailer is being towed A WARNING Shifting cargo can result in loss of control of the trailer and can lead to death or serious injury Tie down all loads with proper sized fasteners ropes straps etc Return the ramp s to their stowed position s and secure them so that they will not move during transit 4 2 2 Loading Cargo Enclosed Trailer Couple the trailer to the tow vehicle before loading The tongue of a bumper pull trailer can rise during loading before the cargo is properly distributed Do not transport people containers of hazardous substances cans of containers of flammable substances However fuel in the tank of an off road vehicle or a car or motorcycle etc may be carried inside of your enclosed cargo trailer Loading the Trailer 7 WARNING Do not transport people inside the trailer even if it has living quarters The t
93. tside A drop in tire pressure could cause the tire to become overloaded leading to excessive heat build up If a trailer tire is under inflated even for a short period of time the tire could suffer internal damage High speed towing in hot conditions degrades trailer tires significantly As heat builds up during driving the tires internal structure starts to breakdown compromising the strength of the tire It is recommended to drive at moderate speeds Statistics indicate the average life of a trailer tire is about five years under normal use and maintenance conditions After three years replacing the trailer tires with new ones should be considered even if the tires have adequate tread depth Some experts claim that after five years trailer tires are considered worn out and should be replaced even if they have had minimal or no use This is such a general statement that it may not apply in all cases It is best to have your tires inspected by a tire supplier to determine if your tires need to be replaced If you are storing your trailer for an extended period make sure the tires are fully inflated to the maximum rated pressure and that you store them in a cool dry place such as a garage Use tire covers to protect the trailer tires from the harsh effects of the sun A WARNING Worn damaged or under inflated tires can cause loss of control resulting in damage serious injury and possibly death Inspect tires before e
94. ur dealer Inspection Service and Maintenance 7 2 3 Drop Ramp Torsion Springs If your trailer has a drop ramp door the weight of the door may be partially held by a torsion spring and a cable Stand to the side when opening the drop ramp You could be hurt if you are behind the drop ramp and the counterbalance does not work Inspect the cable and cable ends regularly for fraying and signs of loosening If released a torsion spring can inflict serious injury The torsion spring and cable are not user serviceable The torsion spring must be serviced by a person who is trained in torsion spring safety 7 2 4 Trailer Brakes 7 2 4 1 Brake Shoes and Drums Properly functioning brake shoes and drums are essential to ensure safety You must have your dealer inspect these components at least once per year or each 12 000 miles During the initial use of the trailer braking performance may be slightly below normal until the brakes have fully seated with the drums The brake shoes must be adjusted after the first 200 miles of use and each 3 000 miles thereafter Some axles are fitted with a brake mechanism that will automatically adjust the brake shoes when the trailer is hard braked from a rearward direction Read your axle and brake manual to see how to adjust your brakes If you do not have this manual call MGS at 800 952 4228 or 717 336 7528 for a free copy 7 2 4 2 Manually Adjusting Brake Sh
95. urn For new and remounted wheels A Gra S reper erg it iiia teas suana pea A lhe prey fant Pab edd signal and brake lights re tighten lug nuts at the first will not separate from ball 4 Promptly REPLACE pin in switch box 3 DO NOT TOW if lights are not 10 25 and 50 miles of driving 5 LOCK coupler clamp with pin or padlock working ATTACH HOOKS TO TOW VEHICLE FRAME PIN PULLED OUT ONLY TO TEST BRAKES DISCONNECTED CONNECTED p NE lt E e aE EA O swrten 80x dash NA j Pin or pediock aE Se Set 4 in place DN i Lift coupler to check aes 2002 NAT DX ENOUGH SLACK FOR TURNS CROSS CHAINS Tires and Wheels OK ALWAYS use safety chains Uncoupling will cause trailer to come Trailer can roll if it comes loose Safety Lights can prevent trailer from being Tire wheel or lugnut failure can cause loss of Chains hold trailer if connection fails 8e from tow vehicle You must brake applies when chain pulls brake lever hit by other vehicles You must control Before towing you must CHECK 1 ATTACH brake CHAIN securely to 1 Tire pressure and tread tow vehicle so lever will be pulled 1 CONNECT trailer and tow vehicle 2 Tires and wheels for damage 2 if trailer separates electrical connectors 3 Lug nuts for tightness 3 CLOSE COUPLER CLAMP on ball P 2 CHECK brake fluid level 2 CHECK all lights tail lights turn For new and remounted wheels 4 LIFT coupler upwards to test that it 3 DO NOT
96. ute the load evenly right and left to avoid tire overload e Keep the center of gravity low Information A WARNING Do not transport people inside the trailer even if it has living quarters The transport of people puts their lives at risk and may be illegal A WARNING Do not transport flammable explosive poisonous or other dangerous materials in your trailer 1 2 11 Shifting Cargo Since the trailer ride can be bumpy and rough you must secure your cargo so that it does not shift while the trailer is being towed A WARNING Shifting cargo can result in loss of control of the trailer and can lead to death or serious injury Tie down all loads with proper sized fasteners ropes straps etc If the door latch is equipped with a catch that has a hole for a linchpin use a linchpin to prevent the door latch from opening A WARNING If the door opens your cargo may be ejected onto the road resulting in death or serious injury to other drivers Always secure the door latch after closing Place a linchpin in the catch 1 2 12 Inappropriate Cargo Your trailer may be designed for specific cargo for example only for generators If your trailer is designed for specific cargo only carry that cargo in the trailer A utility trailer must not be used to carry certain items such as people containers of hazardous substances or containers of flammable substances
97. ydraulic 0 0 00 39 7 2 4 4 3 Air Pressure Operated Hydraulic 0 0 39 7 2 4 4 4 Electric Operated Hydraulic 0 cence nee eee nee 39 7 2 5 Tratler Connection to Tow Vehicle 00 00 ccc cece cece cece cece cece eee ERa aE A PTER 39 L251 Couplerand Ball esera sr iatna AA E dss tiahi as Manned decile sar geadevdgs eaatiehid Geos 39 12 2 Pintle Eye learasa Maan Na tate aal aaa de veal de tate bal add edu walls Peete 40 E26 Tanding Lenor Jacker esra A A 2 arnt Midian Mii saan te ade aaa bate ee 40 BZ aehts and Signals ested spt e case EN AE un E EEE ani velvety ep anseeaests 40 12 8 Access ty Batters tiere FE base nae s aa Argh a E Eaa i AnS dl ocx 40 TEI a AATES sit hash Saath te Ree a teat UE Nigh ental etc A tates ete el Oar A See Se teat 40 T210 Wheel Rimsa sina leions ecto oe Dove ak oo a E A C AE panels Soe eey edie ieee Eales 41 Tzi Wheels Bearings amp Lue Nuts access thaamisgiastnondtiateiaahihaetamaat a iahims high anaiai aes 41 P2 Vi Bearings Hubs grine iye a Hadas hed ee tinh eee abel tagbd Ue aaa seamen 41 1211 2 Lug Nuts Bolts svsiiys dai hed ienn ih de dads ies dena fede Denes dawned ably data 41 Owner s Notes General Safet 1 General Safety Information 1 1 Safety Alerts Symbols and Words An Owners Manual that provides general trailer information cannot cover all of the specific details necessa

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