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Owner`s Manual - Look Trailers

1. Improper trailer loading causes many accidents and deaths To safely load a trailer you must consider Overall load weight Load weight distribution Proper tongue weight and 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 traile
2. Adjust the height of the trailer using the jack so that the fifth wheel plate just touches the kingpin plate Slowly back up the tow vehicle keeping the kingpin centered in the slot of the fifth wheel Continue backing up until the fifth wheel locks firmly on the kingpin Visually check to confirm that the fifth wheel locks are properly locked onto the kingpin by performing the three checks illustrated in the Fifth Wheel Coupler Operation figure Attempt to pull forward as an initial test of the closing of the fifth wheel locks Figure 3 3 Fifth Wheel Coupler Operation CHECK 1 The adjustment nut must be seated against the fifth wheel see Figure 6A CHECK 2 The secondary lock must be behind the yoke see Figure 6A CHECK 3 The fifth wheel must be flush with the kingpin plate see Figure 7A seo OF TRUCK CORRECT ENGAGEMENT INCORRECT ENGAGEMENT FIGURE 78 FIGURE 7A 39 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle An improperly coupled fifth wheel can come loose resulting in death or serious injury Do not tow the trailer until all of the visual checks have been performed Adjustment nut against fifth wheel e Secondary lock behind yoke Fifth wheel against kingpin plate 3 2 4 2 Raise the Drop Leg Jack A trailer having a fifth wheel coupler will be outfitted with one or two drop leg jacks for raising and lowering the fifth wheel coupler Because we use several drop leg jack mechanisms the
3. 44 Checking the Trailer Before amp During Each Tow e Arrange a brick 2 x 4 or 4 x 4 board bathroom scale and pipes as shown in Checking Tongue Weight figure The brick should be about the same thickness as the bathroom scale e Leave a 3 foot distance between the pipes and place the coupler about 2 feet from the pipe on the bathroom scale e Place a strong block support such as a cement block on the board Note the weight indicated on the scale e Lower the tongue until the coupler rests on the block support and the jack is 2 inch above the ground e 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 Scale reading with block and board alone 10 Ibs Scale reading with trailer coupler resting on board 50 Ibs Actual tongue weight 50 10 x 3 120 Ibs 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 vehicle s 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 whi
4. OJ alt som Manual WARNING 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 p 574 848 5665 tf 877 475 LOOK 5665 fx 574 848 5660 www looktrailers com 52400 SR15 Bldg 6 P O Box 339 Bristol IN 46507 0339 7 way RV Style Trailer Plug Wiring aka Pollock or Bargman plug Truck Trailer view looking at end of plug view looking into connector Tail Running lights L Turn Stop Lights 7 Pin RV flat blade Trailer End CAUTION Locate wires by function only Color coding is not standard among all manufacturers 4 WAY PLUG TRAILER END RIGHT TURN it Green LEFT TURN Yellow TAIL LIGHTS Brown GROUND White Table of Contents PACE AMERICAN 1 GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION ccccsccscscssceseesesceseeseseesesseseeseesevseseaseveseusevseseuseseeseuseveeseusesaeeeneees 1 1 1 SAFETY ALERT SYMBOLS AND SIGNAL WORDS el 1 2 MAJOR HAZARDS re ld 1 2 1 Improper Sizing of the Trailer to the Tow Vehicle wed 1 2 2 Driving Too Fast 2 1 2 3 Failure to Adjust Driving Behavior When Towing a Trailer a2 1 2 4 Trailer Not Properly Coupled to the Hitch 8 1 2 5 Proper Use of Safety Chains 4 1 2 6 Proper Con
5. 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 electrical 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 For additional details refer to Section 3 2 2 5 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 3 2 1 VARIOUS COUPLER DESIGNS Trailers are produced with a variety of coupler devices One of the sections below will pertain to your trailer Bumper pull Ball Hitch Coupler Gooseneck Hitch Coupler Fifth Wheel Coupler 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 Error Reference source not f
6. Maintenance 8 2 5 TRAILER BRAKES 8 2 5 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 The brake shoes must be adjusted after the first 200 miles of use and each 3 000 miles thereafter Most 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 Pace American at 877 475 5665 for a free copy 8 2 5 2 Manually Adjusting Brake Shoes Most braking systems are not automatically adjusted by hard stopping These brakes require manual adjustment If you are not a certified brake specialist call your dealer to locate a service center with certified brake specialists 8 2 5 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 trailer 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 8 2 5 3 A BREAKAWAY BRAKE 8 2 5 3 A i BREAKAWAY BATTERY This battery supplies the power to operate the trailer brakes if the trailer uncouples from the tow vehicle Be sure to check maintain and rep
7. 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 Ibs 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 3 11 TIRE SAFETY TIPS Preventing Tire Damage e Slow down if you have to go over a pothole or other object in the road Do not run over curbs or other foreign objects in the roadway and try not to strike the curb when parking Tire Safety Checklist e Check tire pressure regularly at least once a month including the spare e Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the tread cracks foreign objects or other signs of wear or trauma Remove bits of glass and foreign objects wedged in the tread Make sure your tire valves have valve caps Check tire pressure before going on a long trip 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 Rat
8. 10 25 and 50 miles of driving See Section 8 2 12 1 page 65 on Proper Tourqing Technique 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 Pace American at 877 475 5665 for a free copy A hard stop is used to 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 a Certified Service Center for Adjustment 6 3 SYNCHRONIZING THE BRAKE SYSTEMS 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 If trailer and tow vehicle brakes do not work properly together death or serio
9. 2 PON General Safety Information 2 1 2 TRAILERS OVER 10 000 PoUNDS GVWR NOTE THESE TRAILERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE A TIRE INFORMATION PLACARD ON THE VEHICLE 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 Locate the GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of the trailer on your trailer s VIN Certification label 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 exceeded STEPS FOR DETERMINING CORRECT LOAD Limit TOW VEHICLE Locate the statement The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX Ibs on your vehicle s placard Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers who will be riding in your vehicle Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX pounds 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 Ib passengers in your vehicle the amount of available cargo and luggage capacity is 650 Ibs 1400 750 5 x 150 650 Ibs Determine the combined weight of luggage and cargo being loaded on the vehicle That weight may not safely exceed the available cargo and luggage capacity calculated in Step 4 If your vehicle will b
10. Jack figure Make certain the ground beneath the jack foot is firm enough to support the tongue weight Rotate the handle crank clockwise to raise the bottom surface of the gooseneck to be above the top of the gooseneck ball 3 2 3 1 Prepare the ball receiver and gooseneck ball Release the lock plate on the gooseneck ball receiver With the spring loaded lock plate locking pin in the OPEN position rotate the lock plate to a position that allows the gooseneck ball to enter the receiver see Gooseneck Ball Receiver and Height Adjustment figure Slowly back up the tow vehicle so that the gooseneck ball is aligned under the gooseneck ball receiver If the trailer drops during coupling death or serious injury may result There must be no one under the trailer or coupler before or during the coupling operation 3 2 3 2 Couple the trailer to the tow vehicle Rotate the jack handle counter clockwise This will retract the jack causing the gooseneck ball receiver to drop down so it can fully engage the gooseneck ball and transfer the weight of the trailer tongue to the towing vehicle hitch If the receiver does not line up with the ball raise the receiver again and adjust the position of the tow vehicle Then lower the receiver over the ball When the drop leg base is no longer resting on the ground the towing vehicle hitch is holding all of the weight of the trailer tongue Close the lock plate on the gooseneck ball receive
11. 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 5 1 Sections 6 1 amp 8 2 12 1 57 Inspection Service amp 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 Inspect Repair or replace damaged worn or broken parts Section 8 2 2 Sections 8 2 2 Inspection and Service each 6 Months or 6 000 Miles Item Inspection Service Manual Section Reference Tires Rotate 5 000 miles Section 8 2 10 Brakes electric gt Magnets gt Controller in tow vehicle Check wear and current draw Check power output amperage and modulation Section 8 2 5 3 C Section 8 2 5 3 B See Controller Mfr s Manual Structure gt Roof Vents gt Windows Clean dirt buildup lubricate hinges and slides Section 8 2 2 Inspect tread and sidewalls thoroughly Section 8 2 10 Tires Replace tire when treads are r worn when sidewall has a Section 8 2 10 bulge or sidewall is worn 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 spe
12. 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 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 General Safety Information 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 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 G
13. an enclosed trailer without adequate ventilation as death or serious injury may occur Before starting the generator check fuels and oil levels The generator may have to run for two or three minutes before it allows drawing electricity from it Read the generator instruction manual If you do not have the generator instruction manual call Pace American at 877 475 5665 for a free copy Never exceed the capacity of the generator Before turning off the generator remove the electrical load and let the engine to run for two or three minutes to cool the generator 7 2 ACCESSORY BATTERY Your trailer may be outfitted with an accessory battery that operates lighting electric landing gear dump body slide outs or other accessories An accessory battery may be kept charged either by the tow vehicle or by the generator or shore power 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 3 SHORE POWER Shore power is the delivery of electrical power from another source to a power inlet on your trailer To connect your trailer to this source you must have a shore power cord specifically designed
14. 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 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 ball 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 Be sure the maximum load rating of the hitch on the tow vehicle is equal to or greater than the maximum load rating of the coupler on the trailer Be sure the hitch ball size matches the coupler size Observe the hitch for wear corrosion and cracks before coupling Replace worn corroded or cracked hitch components before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle Be sure the hitch components are tight before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle A loose hitch ball nut can
15. from the jack manufacturer s instructions Before attempting to tow the trailer Be sure the size and rating of the gooseneck ball match the size and rating of the receiver Gooseneck balls and receivers are marked with their size and ratings Wipe the gooseneck ball clean and inspect it visually and by feel for flat spots cracks and pits A worn cracked or corroded gooseneck ball can fail while towing and may result in death or serious injury Before coupling the trailer inspect the gooseneck ball for wear corrosion and cracks and replace worn or damaged gooseneck ball Rock the ball to make sure it is tight to the ball support and visually check that the gooseneck ball nut is solid against the lock washer and ball support frame A loose gooseneck ball can result in uncoupling leading to death or serious injury Be sure the gooseneck ball nut is tight before coupling the trailer Wipe the inside and outside of the receiver clean and inspect it visually for cracks and feel the inside of the receiver for worn spots and pits If any of these conditions exist have the receiver replaced before coupling the trailer Lubricate the inside of the gooseneck ball receiver with automotive bearing grease Be sure the receiver is tight to the trailer All receiver fasteners must be visibly solid against the trailer frame 32 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle Release the jack handle or crank from its holder see Drop Leg
16. general instructions below may vary slightly from the jack manufacturer s instructions If the trailer jack on your trailer does not resemble the jack shown in the figures follow the jack instructions provided by the jack manufacturer If you do not have these instructions call Pace American at 877 475 5665 for a free copy Rotate the jack handle counter clockwise This will slowly retract the jack and transfer the weight of the trailer tongue to the towing vehicle When the drop leg base is no longer resting on the ground the towing vehicle hitch is holding all of the weight of the trailer tongue Continue retracting the jack to its fully retracted position Return the drop legs to their upper positions The drop legs are held in the lowered position with a plunger pin Rotating the plunger pin while pulling it outward about inch will cause it to come out of the engagement with the drop leg Raise the Tailgate Pick up the trailer wheel blocks 3 2 4 3 Attach and test the breakaway brake system If the coupler fails a properly connected and working breakaway brake system will apply electric brakes on the trailer The breakaway brake system includes a battery a switch with a pullpin and a breakaway brake lanyard Read and follow the instructions here as well as the instructions that have been prepared by the breakaway brake controller manufacturer If you do not have these instructions call 877 475 5665 at Pace American for a free c
17. 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 17 General Safety Information 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 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 3 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 whe
18. 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 your dealer 8 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 8 2 4 SLIDE OQuTS The optional slide out facility is fitted with shafts bushing gears and sliding members located on the underside of the trailer These parts are exposed to road grime water and possible salt spray Clean and lubricate the moving parts regularly to keep the slide out from seizing Follow the instructions below to clean and lubricate the slide out mechanism at least once per season and more frequently if your trailer is operated in dusty or salt spray environments Clean the locations where the drive shaft passes through the bushings Hand pack grease on the gears Grease the sliding track 60 Inspection Service amp
19. manufacturer s instructions 3 2 3 5 Connect the electrical cables 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 35 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle Check electric brakes for proper operation 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 m p h manually operate the electric brake controller in the tow vehicle cab You should feel the operation of the trailer brakes 3 2 3 6 Uncoupling the Gooseneck Trailer with Drop leg Jack Follow these steps to uncouple your gooseneck hitch trailer from the tow vehicle Block trailer tires to prevent the trailer from rolling before jacking the trailer up Disconnect the electrical connector Disconnect the breakaway brake switch lanyard Disconnect the safety chains from the tow vehicle Move the spring loaded gooseneck receiver lock plate locking pin to the OPEN position see Gooseneck Ball Receiver and Height Adjustment figure Rotate
20. 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 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 the 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 3 10 2 UTQGS Information Treadwear Number This nu
21. 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 is 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 obtain a cold reading 2 3 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 3 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 dow
22. result in uncoupling leading to death or serious injury Be sure the hitch ball is tight to the hitch before coupling the trailer 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 ball e The safety chains are secured to the tow vehicle and e The trailer jack s are fully retracted Do not tow the trailer on the road until Tires and wheels are checked The trailer brakes are checked The breakaway switch is connected to the tow vehicle The load is secured to the trailer and The trailer lights are connected and checked General Safety 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 CONNECTION OF BREAKAWAY BRAKE If equipped with brakes your trailer will be equipped with a breakaway brake system that can app
23. start towing adjust the mirrors so you can see the trailer as well as the area to the rear of it 12 General Safety Information 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 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 and 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
24. the brake system will result and the brakes may become inoperable 8 2 5 4 B 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 air hydraulic mechanism which sends brake fluid to the wheel cylinders 62 Inspection Service amp Maintenance The air pressure gauge in your tow vehicle indicates the current air pressure See your tow vehicle manual for the proper air pressure 8 2 5 4 C ELECTRICAL OPERATED HYDRAULIC Electric hydraulic braking systems which are mounted on the trailer use 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 8 2 6 TRAILER CONNECTION TO TOW VEHICLE 8 2 6 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 If you see or feel evidence of wear such as flat spots deformations pitting or corrosion on the ball or coupler immediately have your d
25. AWR If your trailer is equipped with a Tire amp Loading Information Placard mounted next to the 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 an axle 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 percentage 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 trailer with a gooseneck hitch with a loaded weight of 12 000 pounds should have 20 25 of 12 000 pounds 2400 3000 Ibs on the gooseneck For non flowable discrete loads locate the load such as to provide the proper tongue weight After loading be sure to check that none
26. Dropseg Jack 3 2 4 1 Before attempting to tow the trailer 3 2 4 2 Raise the Drop Leg Jack 3 2 4 3 Attach and test the breakaway brake system 3 2 4 4 Connect the electrical cables 0 0 0ce ee 3 2 4 5 Uncoupling the Fifth Wheel Trailer with Drop leg Jack 4 LOADING THE TRAILER e aar ea a raS Ea Eara a aaa ra aaa E E eaen aE Eaa aaa oA E EE E Eat LAEE nE ESEE 43 4 1 TONGUE WEIGHT 4 2 CHECKING TONGUE WEIGHT 4 3 SECURING THE CARGO 4 3 1 Loading Cargo Enclosed Trailer 4 3 1 1 Preparing the Trailer for Loading 4 3 1 2 Loading the Enclosed Trailer 5 CHECKING THE TRAILER BEFORE AND DURING EACH TOW cccccsssssssesesseesseeseeseesensenseneeeees 48 5 1 PRE TOW CHECKLIST 5 2 MAKE REGULAR STOPS 6 BREAKING IN A NEW TRAILER aare aea EA AeA E eana AE Ee E Ee r EAr eE rAr Etan E aaa E TRES 49 6 1 RETIGHTEN LUG NUTS AT FIRST 10 25 amp 50 MILES 6 2 ADJUST BRAKE SHOES AT FIRST 200 MILES 6 3 SYNCHRONIZING THE BRAKE SYSTEMS ACCESSORIES eE S E EE EEE E EE E 51 7 1 GASOLINE POWERED ELECTRIC GENERATORS 7 2 ACCESSORY BATTERY 7 3 SHORE POWER 7 4 LP GAS FUEL SYSTEM 7 4 1 LP Gas System Troubleshooting 7 5 VENDING amp ACCESSORY DOORS nee te s Ki ie TB gt BEECTRIG POWERED LANDING GEAR oo ccccadccascacccocrsa vost ancora cdactencbdaauseeie tae arnateede metiramesn Glan INSPECTION SERVICE amp MAINTENANCE n snc odidere diasah onadan disabari daa idaan ia dastada pis
27. PE OF VEHICLE 53BTB1210BU000001 TRAILER EWLC 6X12 SI2 TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION The weight of cargo should never exceed 676 kgor 1 490 Ibs TIRE SIZE COLD TIRE PRESS REAR T205 D15 345 KPA 50 PSI INTER FRONT SPARE NONE SEE OWNER S MANUAL FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR REORDER CALL PMCS 818 957 5649 PART NO LS CL D 53BTB1210BU000001 BOTTOM OF LABEL SHEET 23 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle 3 1 1 2 Certification VIN tag contains the following critical safety information for the use of your trailer e MANUFACTURER Name of trailer manufacturer DATE OF MANUFACTURE Month and year the trailer was manufactured e GVWR The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the maximum allowable gross weight 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 e 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
28. Proper Tire Pressure 2 3 6 Tire Size 2 3 7 Tire Tread 2 3 8 Tire Balance and Wheel Alignment 2 3 9 Tire Repair 2 3 10 Tire Fundamentals 2 3 10 1 Information on Passenger Vehicle Tires 2 3 10 2 UTQGS Information 2 3 10 3 Additional Information on Light Truck Tires 2 3 11 Tire Safety Tips 3 COUPLING TO THE TOW VEHICLE cccssscssssessssssesseuseessesseeseeseesseeseuseesseusensanssesseeseesaeseeuseenaessenses 22 3 1 USE AN ADEQUATE TOW VEHICLE AND HITCH 3 1 1 Trailer Information 3 2 COUPLING AND UNCOUPLING THE TRAILER 3 2 1 Various Coupler Designs Table of Contents PACE AMERICAN 3 2 2 Trailer with Ball Hitch Coupler 3 2 2 1 Before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle 3 2 2 2 Prepare the coupler and hitch 3 2 2 3 Couple the trailer to the tow vehicle 3 2 2 4 Rig the safety chains ee 3 2 2 5 Attach and test electric breakaway brake system 3 2 2 6 Connect the electrical cables eee 3 2 2 7 Uncoupling the Ball Hitch Trailer with Tongue Jack 3 2 3 Trailer with Gooseneck Coupler and Drop leg Jack 3 2 3 1 Prepare the ball receiver and gooseneck ball 3 2 3 2 Couple the trailer to the tow vehicle 3 2 3 3 Rig the safety chains ee 3 2 3 4 Attach and test the breakaway brake system 3 2 3 5 Connect the electrical cables 3 2 3 6 Uncoupling the Gooseneck Tra a 3 2 4 Trailer with Fifth wheel Coupler and
29. age it with the jack shaft Rotate the handle or crank clockwise to slowly extend the jack and transfer the weight of the trailer tongue to the jack On two speed jacks pushing the handle shaft toward the gearbox can perform rapid extension This shifts the gearbox into a high speed mode When the drop leg base contacts the ground shift the gearbox into low speed mode by pulling out on the handle shaft until it locks into low gear Do not use high speed to lift the trailer the drop leg jack mechanism can be damaged High speed is used only to rapidly move the drop leg base into contact with the ground Continue to extend the jack s making sure that the ground is providing stable and level support for the trailer Turn the crank two or three turns to take some of the weight of the coupling Do not raise the fifth wheel off the kingpin plate After the jack s are extended enough to permit driving the tow vehicle away disengage the jack handle from its shaft and return it to its holder Do NOT drive the tow vehicle yet Open the fifth wheel locks by e pulling the release handle or e using a separate pipe release handle to engage the solid stud on the secondary lock see Fifth Wheel Coupler Operation and Opening Fifth Wheel Locks figures Slowly drive the tow vehicle away from the trailer Raise the tow vehicle tailgate 42 Checking the Trailer Before amp During Each Tow 4 LOADING THE TRAILER
30. ai 57 8 1 INSPECTION SERVICE amp MAINTENANCE SUMMARY CHARTS 8 2 INSPECTION AND SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS 0 eee 8 2 1 Axle Bolts Frame Suspension amp Structure 8 2 2 Trailer Structure 8 2 2 1 Fasteners and Frame Members Dolas WEIS 3c eis tare ses do etee aceese ses 8 2 3 Drop Ramp Torsion Springs N o 8 2 4 8 2 5 8 2 5 1 8 2 5 2 8 2 5 3 8 2 5 4 8 2 6 8 2 6 1 8 2 6 2 8 2 6 3 8 2 7 8 2 8 8 2 9 8 2 10 8 2 11 8 2 12 8 2 12 2 Lug Nuts Bolts Table of Contents PACE AMERICAN Slide Outs Trailer Brakes Brake Shoes and Drums Manually Adjusting Brake Shoes Brakes Electric c00000 Brakes Hydraulic vacuum air or electric operated Trailer Connection to Tow Vehicle Coupler and Ball Gooseneck Fifth Wheel Kingp Landing Leg or Jack Lights and Signals Accessory Battery TiO Sireen Wheel Rims By Wheels Bearings and Lug Nuts General Safety Information 1 GENERAL SAFETY INFORMATION 1 1 SAFETY ALERT SYMBOLS AND SIGNAL WORDS An Owner s Manual that provides general trailer information cannot cover all of the specific details necessary 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 th
31. 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 tire s 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 64 Inspection Service amp Maintenance If you are storing your trailer for an extended period make sure the tires are fully inflated to the maximum rated pressure and t
32. bers 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 The various fastener types used on your trailer are e Bolts which are used mainly for attaching door and gate hinges to the trailer body e Buck Rivets which are used to attach the sides and roof panels of the body to each other and to the frame of the trailer and e Huck Bolts may be at various locations on the sub frame Huck bolts are not user serviceable If you detect a loose huck bolt fastener do not tow the trailer Call your dealer for instructions 59 Inspection Service amp Maintenance 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 8 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
33. ch lists the trailer s axle weight Simple subtract the axle weight from the total weight to determine the hitch weight While you are at the scale 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 rear 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 4 3 SECURING THE 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 4 3 1 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 or 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 Do not transport people inside the trailer even if it has living quarters The transport of people puts their lives at risk and ma
34. cifications Section 8 2 5 1 See Brake Mfr s Manual Jack Drop leg Grease gears at top 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 8 2 1 gt Welds Inspect all welds Repair as Section 8 2 2 2 needed gt Slide out Clean dirt build up Lubricate Section 8 2 4 slides shafts and gears Wheels Check and confirm free running Section 8 2 12 gt Sealed Bearings Hubs gt Rims Replace if not sealed bearings are not serviceable Inspect for cracks amp dents Replace as needed Section 8 2 11 Structure gt Axle Attachment Bolts Check BY DEALER Section 8 2 1 58 Inspection Service amp Maintenance 8 2 INSPECTION AND SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS 8 2 1 AXLE BOLTS FRAME SUSPENSION amp STRUCTURE Worn or broken suspension parts can cause loss of control and injury may result Have trailer professionally inspected annually and after any impact To perform many of the inspection and maintenance activities crawl under the trailer Never crawl under your trailer unless it is on firm and level ground and resting on properly placed and secured jack stands 8 2 2 TRAILER STRUCTURE Because the trailer floor receives the most abuse it will most likely corrode before any other part of the structure 8 2 2 1 Fasteners and Frame Mem
35. ding 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 3 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 tire 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 2 3 2 FINDING YOUR VEHICLE S RECOMMENDED TIRE PRESSURE AND LOAD LIMITS Tire information 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 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 3 3 UNDERSTANDING TIRE PRESSURE AND LOAD LIMITS Tire inflation pressure
36. e 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 Pace American at 877 475 5665 for a free copy The safety information in this manual is denoted by the safety alert symbol 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 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 Notice NOTICE Practices that could result in damage to the trailer or other property 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 Improper sizing of the trailer for the tow vehicle or vice versa e Excessive Speed Driving too fast for the conditions 1 General Safety Information 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
37. e lug nuts to the proper torque Over tightening will result in breaking the studs or permanently deforming the mounting stud holes in the wheels Figure 8 1 Lug nut sequence of tightening O PATTERN PATTERN PATTERN 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 and studs Don t repair or service the trailer yourself Call a trained technician Lug Nut Torque Steel Wheels Axle Rating Dry Torque Stud Size Pounds Foot pounds 3 500 to 5200 inch 110 120 6 000 to 7 000 9 16 inch 90 120 8 000 5 8 inch 190 210 66 Inspection Service amp Maintenance Lug Nut Torque Aluminum Wheels Dry Torque Rim Size Stud Size Foot pounds 15 inch 5 or 6 hole inch 120 125 16 inch 8 hole inch 120 125 Dry Torque Foot pounds i
38. e tongue weight the tow vehicle and trailer must be on level ground as they will be when the trailer is being towed For lighter trailers the recommended method of checking tongue weight is to use an accessory called a tongue weight scale If a tongue weight scale is not available from your dealer call Pace American at 877 475 5665 for assistance An alternate method of checking tongue weight involves the use of a bathroom scale The loaded trailer must be on a smooth and level surface and you must block the trailer wheels front and rear Bathroom Scale Method for Checking Tongue Weight An unrestrained trailer can fall off its support resulting in serious injury or death Before checking tongue weight block 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 e Raise the tongue of the trailer with the jack
39. e 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 16 Tire Safety Information 2 3 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 dot 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 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 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 Gra
40. ealer 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 automatically 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 mechanism 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 8 2 6 2 Gooseneck The gooseneck receiver on the trailer connects to a hitch mounted ball on the towing vehicle The receiver 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 receiver to the ball for proper operation If you see or can feel evidence of wear such as flat spots pitting or corrosion on the ball or receiver immediately have your dealer inspect them to determine the proper action to prevent possible failure of the ball and receiver system When replacing a ball the load rating must match or exceed the GVWR of the trailer 8 2 6 3 Fifth Wheel Kingpin Before each tow inspect the fifth wheel and kingpin for wear and coat the contact surface of the fifth whe
41. ederal 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 2 3 10 1 Information on Passenger Vehicle Tires Please refer to the diagram below Radial Rim diameter Ratio of height to width aspect ratio Nominal width of and materials used Max load rating P The P indicates the tire is for passenger vehicles Next number This three digit number gives the width in 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 19 General Safety Information 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
42. el plate with water resistant Lithium base grease If you see evidence of wear on the fifth wheel or kingpin immediately have your dealer inspect them to determine the proper action to prevent failure of the fifth wheel and kingpin system 8 2 7 LANDING LEG OR JACK If a grease fitting is present you must use a grease gun to lubricate the jack mechanism Grease the gears in 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 8 2 8 LIGHTS AND SIGNALS Before each tow check the trailer taillights stoplights turn signals and any clearance lights for proper operation 63 Inspection Service amp Maintenance Improper operating taillights stoplights and turn signals can cause collisions Check all lights before each tow 8 2 9 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 co
43. ent 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 Sections 3 2 2 5 3 2 3 4 amp 3 2 4 3 Section 8 2 5 4 Breakaway Battery Fully charged connections clean Sections 3 2 2 5 3 2 3 4 amp 3 2 4 3 Section 8 2 5 3 A i Brakes all types Check operation Section 6 3 Shoes and Drums Adjust Section 6 2 8 2 5 2 Brakes Hydraulic Vacuum Actuated Check gauge for proper vacuum of 18 In Hg inches of mercury Section 8 2 5 4 A Coupler and Hitch Ball Check for cracks pits and flats Replace w ball amp coupler having trailer GVW Rating Grease Check locking device amp replace Section amp 8 2 6 1 Gooseneck Ball Check for cracks pits and flats Replace w ball amp coupler having trailer GVW Rating Grease Check locking device amp replace when worn Section 3 2 3 1 Section 3 2 3 1 Section amp 8 2 6 2 Fifth Wheel amp Kingpin Check for cracks Grease Check locking device amp replace when worn Section 3 2 4 1 Section 3 2 4 1 Section 3 2 4 1 amp 8 2 6 3 Safety Chain s amp Hooks Check for wear and damage Sections 3 2 2 4 amp 3 2 3 3 Tires Check tire pressure when cold Inflate as needed Sections 5 1 amp 8 2 10
44. etraced position 3 2 2 4 Rig the 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 Cris 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 S hooks up from underneath the hole do not just drop into hole and Provide enough slack to permit tight turns but not be close to the road surface to drag 3 2 2 5 Attach and test electric breakaway brake system 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 controlled 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 877 475 5665 at Pace American for a free copy 28 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle The breakaway brake system is not fitted with a charging capabili
45. ety of appliances such as stoves refrigerators heating units and electrical generators The exhaust fumes from burning LP gas contain carbon monoxide Carbon monoxide gas is odorless and can cause death or serious brain injury if inhaled The exhaust from LP appliances must be directed to the outdoors You must have an operating carbon monoxide detector in the living quarters of your trailer You can die or be brain damaged by Carbon Monoxide Make certain the exhaust from LP appliances is directed to the outdoors Have a working carbon monoxide detector in the accommodation spaces of your trailer before operating any LP gas appliance Do not operate portable grills or stoves inside the trailer When used for the first time or after a period of storage the LP gas lines will be full of air and must be purged of air before the appliances will stay lit Have the LP gas lines purged by your trailer dealer or an LP gas dealer An LP gas system is designed to operate with a supply of LP gas only NOT natural gas A natural gas supply is unsafe for the system s pressure regulation devices 53 Accessories Risk of death due to fire or explosion Only connect an LP gas system to a supply of LP gas NOT natural gas Do not store LP gas tanks inside the trailer Only fill an LP gas tank 80 full Only fill the tank with LP gas butane or propane Overfilled tanks can release gas and cause an explosion Keep the shutoff
46. exceed its GAWR TIRE SIZE The tire size recommended for your trailer and load range e PSIC The pounds per square inch cold is the tire pressure Kilopascals Pounds per Square Inch measured when Cold e CERTIFICATION STATEMENT This trailer meets all the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in effect on the date of manufacture shown above e VIN The Vehicle Identification Number e VEHICLE TYPE Generally the word trailer is used However after this you may put a Model or additional descriptor 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 e Weight Distributing Hitch or Equalizing Hitch A mechanical device that connects the trailer to the towing vehicle and by mean
47. for this use DO NOT USE AN ORDINARY EXTENSION CORD The trailer end of this cord is connected to an electrical box on the trailer sometimes referred to as a motor base This box contains circuit breakers and or fuses and may include a power converter to change the shore power usually 110 volts alternating current into 12 volts direct current Do not assume that a shore power supply is correctly wired Shore power may have incorrect polarity or not have the safety ground Before connecting your trailer you should test shore power by using a polarity and ground tester which can be purchased at electronic stores If you have shore power your trailer may be fitted with Ground Fault Interrupting outlets GFI If you have GFI protection you must periodically test the outlets by pressing the TEST button that is located on the GFl equipped outlet 52 Accessories Shore power poses a risk of death due to electrocution or fire Always use an electrical cord specifically designed for shore power connection Never use an ordinary extension cord Always connect the electrical cord to a grounded source of shore power Do not remove the third prong from the shore power plug Connect only to source of proper voltage Make certain polarity is correct Do not overload electrical circuits Always replace fuses or circuit breakers with correct rating 7 4 LP Gas FUEL System LP gas systems are installed to operate a vari
48. g and Uncoupling the Trailer section of this manual Safety chains properly rigged to tow vehicle not to hitch or ball see the Coupling to the Tow Vehicle chapter of this manual Test of lights Tail Stop and Turn Lights Test trailer brakes Safety breakaway switch cable fastened to tow vehicle not to safety chains see the Coupling to the Tow Vehicle chapter of this manual Cargo properly loaded balanced and tied down see the Loading the Trailer chapter of this manual Tongue weight and weight distribution set up Doors and gates latched and secured Fire extinguisher Flares and reflectors 5 2 MAKE REGULAR STOPS After each 50 miles or one hour of towing stop and check the following items Coupler secured Safety chains are fastened and not dragging Cargo secured Cargo door latched and secured 48 Breaking In a New Trailer 6 BREAKING IN A NEW TRAILER 6 1 RETIGHTEN LuG Nuts AT First 10 25 amp 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 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
49. g base into contact with the ground e Continue to extend the jack s making sure that the ground is providing stable and level support for the trailer 36 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle e After the jack s are extended and the gooseneck ball receiver is well clear of the gooseneck ball to permit driving the tow vehicle away disengage the handle from its shaft and return to its holder 3 2 4 TRAILER WITH FIETH WHEEL COUPLER AND DROP LEG JACK A fifth wheel coupler on the trailer see Trailer with a Kingpin Coupler figure 3 1 and Fifth Wheel Coupler figure 3 2 connects to a kingpin that is installed on the tow vehicle A Fifth Wheel Coupler on the tow vehicle Figure 3 2 connects to a Kingpin that is installed on a trailer A fifth wheel coupler includes a flat load bearing plate with a slot and a mechanism inside the slot that grips the kingpin We have installed a fifth wheel coupler that is suitable for the size and weight of the trailer You must provide a kingpin and kingpin plate that match the fifth wheel and that is rated for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR of your trailer Figure 3 1 Fifth Wheel Coupler Figure 3 2 Trailer with Kingpin Coupler 37 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle 3 2 4 1 Before attempting to tow the trailer Be sure the size and rating of the fifth wheel and kingpin match Wipe the kingpin clean and inspect it visually and by feel for flat spots c
50. gas will not operate if the outside temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit 54 Accessories Use Butane only when the temperature is above freezing 32 degrees F Propane gas will operate at temperatures as low as minus 44 degrees Fahrenheit 44 F Keep the regulator for the LP gas system located near the LP gas tank covered with a guard to protect it from road debris LP gas is prohibited on some roadways bridges and tunnels Check a map and with Departments of Transportation or with the AAA for travel routes that do not have such restrictions If you store your trailer make sure that all appliances and generators are disabled prior to storing 7 4 1 LP GAs SYSTEM TROUBLESHOOTING Having liquid gas at your appliance is an indication that the LP gas tank is overfilled or that the temperature is too cold If your LP gas appliances do not stay lit it might be because your LP gas system is contaminated with air or moisture Many LP gas vendors have facilities to purge the air from an LP gas system If your LP gas system is not providing gas even when the shutoff valve is open it might be because the LP gas regulator has frozen water in it Risk of fire or explosion Never use a flame heat lamp or hair dryer to thaw an LP gas regulator Use an incandescent light bulb Do not remove the regulator cover or attempt to service the LP gas regulator 7 5 VENDING amp ACCESSORY Doors A vending o
51. harged and ready before operating the accessory Check the fire extinguisher at least once a month If the fire extinguisher is discharged even partially it must be recharged Follow the fire extinguisher manufacturer s instructions for recharging the extinguisher after use 7 1 GASOLINE POWERED ELECTRIC GENERATORS If your trailer is equipped with a generator you must have and follow the generator manufacturer s instructions Carbon monoxide gas is present in the exhaust of all gasoline and diesel engines as well as from other burning fuels such as LP gas and charcoal Carbon Monoxide is an odorless gas that can cause death Be certain exhaust from any running engine or burning fuels can not accumulate in areas where people or animals are likely to be present Conditions that can redirect exhaust fumes are for example e Being drawn in by fans or ventilators operated in a trailer e Prevailing wind e Being trapped between adjacent trailers vehicles or buildings or e Being trapped between or in a snow bank or other materials that can redirect fumes Operating gasoline and diesel generators can lead to death or serious injury by Carbon Monoxide e Fire and Explosion e Electrocution Have a working carbon monoxide detector in the accommodation spaces before operating a generator Do not refuel a running generator or refuel near ignition sources 51 Accessories Do not operate portable heaters or generators inside
52. hat 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 Worn damaged or under inflated tires can cause loss of control resulting in damage serious injury and possibly death Inspect tires before each tow 8 2 11 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 8 2 12 WHEELS BEARINGS AND 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 8 2 12 1 Lug Nuts Bolts Being sure wheel mounting nuts lug nuts 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 Lug nuts are p
53. hese instructions call Pace American at 877 475 5665 for a free copy 8 2 5 3 C 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 8 2 5 4 Brakes Hydraulic vacuum air or electric operated 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 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 8 2 5 4 A VACUUM OPERATED HYDRAULIC When towing a trailer the vacuum gauge which is located inside the cab of the tow vehicle must indicate 18 In Hg inches of mercury or more at all times If the vacuum gauge in tow vehicle is not at or above 18 In Hg inches of mercury damage to
54. hitch mismatch can result in uncoupling leading to death or serious injury Be sure the LOAD RATING of the hitch ball 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 The height of the ball receiver on the trailer must be adjusted to match the height of the gooseneck ball on your tow vehicle so that There is clearance between the bottom of the trailer and the sides of the tow vehicle bed and The trailer is level and allows equal weight distribution on tandem or triple axles The Gooseneck Ball Receiver and Height Adjustment figure shows the gooseneck height adjustment The gooseneck height adjustment bolts which have a cup that makes a gripping impression into the gooseneck tube must be tight so that the trailer does not drop to a lower position Do not over tighten because the tube can be deformed After tightening the bolts tighten the jam nuts on the bolts 31 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle Improper gooseneck height adjustment can result in overloaded tires blowout and loss of control leading to death or serious injury Adjust the gooseneck receiver so that the loaded trailer is level A trailer having a gooseneck hitch will have one or two drop leg jacks for raising and lowering the gooseneck ball receiver Because several drop leg jack mechanisms are available the general instructions below may vary slightly
55. ing 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 is 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 Danger 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 of your trailer 22 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle TRAILER INFORMATION 3 1 1 Certification VIN Label LOCATED C S FRONT OF TRAILER 3 1 1 1 m Ww a a wW Q 3 ri 0 5 DATE 03 2010 MFD BY LOOK TRAILERS GAWR EACH AXLE 1356 KG 2990 LB GVWR __1356 KG 2990 LB COLD INFLATION PRESSURE TIRE RIM KPA PSI SGLIDUAL T205 D15 45 x5 345 KPA 50 PSI SINGLE THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE U S FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE V I N TY
56. ing trapped between your trailer and other trailers vehicles or buildings or e Being trapped between your trailer and or in a snow bank or other nearby objects General Safety Information Operating gasoline and diesel generators can lead to death or serious injury by e Carbon Monoxide e Fire and Explosion e Electrocution Have a working carbon monoxide detector in the accommodation spaces before operating a generator Do not refuel a running generator or refuel near ignition sources 1 2 15 2 Shore Power Shore Power is the name given to connecting your trailer to a source of electrical power using an extension cord specifically designed for that purpose Shore power poses a risk of death due to electrocution or fire Always use an electrical cord specifically designed for shore power connection Never use an ordinary extension cord Always connect the electrical cord to a grounded source of shore power Do not remove the third prong from the shore power plug Connect only to source of proper voltage Make certain polarity is correct Do not overload electrical circuits Always replace fuses or circuit breakers with correct rating See the Accessories chapter section 7 3 for more detailed information 1 2 15 3 LP Gas Fuel System See the Accessories chapter section 7 4 for more detailed information You can die or be brain damaged by Carbon Monoxide Make certain the exhaust from LP appliance
57. ins to the gooseneck ball or its support and Rig the safety chains so they have sufficient slack to permit turning but not too much slack the safety chains must keep the gooseneck on the tow vehicle bed if the trailer uncouples 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 Have sufficient slack to permit turning and to keep gooseneck on bed of tow vehicle if the trailer comes loose 3 2 3 4 Attach and test the breakaway brake system 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 controlled stop 34 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle The breakaway brake system includes a battery a switch with a pullpin and a breakaway brake controller Read and follow the instructions here as well as the instructions that have been prepared by the breakaway brake controller manufacturer If you do not have these instructions call 844 475 5665 at Pace American for a free copy The breakaway brake system is not fitted with a charging facility that draws power from the tow vehicle You must periodica
58. ith 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 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 the Certification VIN label before towing trailer Proper Torque of the lug nuts is very important in keeping the wheels properly seated to the hub Before each tow check to make sure they torqued to the specified rating Metal creep between the wheel rim and hub may cause lug 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 8 2 12 1 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 65 If you do not have
59. lace 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 S A is O E Age CE BREAKAWAY 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 but you will notice that a greater force is needed to pull the trailer 61 Inspection Service amp Maintenance If electric breakaway brakes do not operate when trailer is uncoupled from the tow vehicle death or serious injury can occur Check emergency breakaway brake system BEFORE each tow 8 2 5 3 B 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 t
60. 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 18 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 Pace American 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 Pace American To contact NHTSA you may either call the Vehicle Safety Hotline toll free at 1 888 327 4236 TTY 1 800 424 9153 go tohttp www safecar gov or write to Administrator NHTSA 1200 New Jersey Ave SE Washington DC 20590 You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from http www safecar gov Call 877 475 5665 to reach Pace American 13 1 3 Tire Safety Information 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 couple
61. lly charge the battery on the trailer to keep the breakaway brake system in working order Visually inspect the breakaway brake system for broken parts Connect the pullpin cable 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 Safety Chains figure Do not connect the pullpin cable to a safety chain or a safety chain receiver or to the gooseneck ball or its support This would keep the breakaway brake system from operating when it is needed Contact the hitch manufacturer or installer if you are not certain of the hitch provisions for breakaway brake connection To check the break away brake battery pull out the pullpin from the switch and attampt to pull the trailer forward You should feel the trailer resisting being towed but the wheels will not necessarily lock up Immediately replace the pullpin The breakaway brake system battery discharges rapidly when the pullpin is removed Do not tow the trailer with the breakaway brake system ON because the brakes will overheat which can result in permanent brake failure 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 the breakaway brake battery at intervals recommended by the battery
62. ly 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 Danger 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 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 Therefore it is essential to inspect the trailer tires before each tow General Safety Information If a tire has a bald spot bulge cut cracks or is showing any cords replace the tire before towing If a tire has uneven tread wear take the trailer to a dealer service center for diagnosis Uneven tread wear can be caused by tire imbalance axle misalignment or incorrect inflation Tires w
63. manufacturer 3 2 2 6 Connect the electrical cables 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 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 m p h manually operate the electric brake controller in the tow vehicle cab You should feel the operation of the trailer brakes 3 2 2 7 Uncoupling the Ball Hitch Trailer with Tongue Jack Follow these steps to uncouple your ball hitch trailer from the tow vehicle Block trailer tires to prevent the trailer from rolling before jacking the trailer up 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 e Rotate the jack handle or crank clockwi
64. mber 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 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 A B or C 2 3 10 3 Additional Information on Light Truck Tires Please refer to the following diagram 20 General Safety Information Maximum load amp inflation when used as a dual Maximum load amp inflation when used as a single 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 Ibs at kPa psi Cold This information indicates the maximum load and tire pressure when the tire is used as a dual
65. n parking e With radial tires it is usually not possible to determine underinflation by visual inspection 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 measure tire pressure when the tires are cold or compensate for the extra pressure in warm tires 2 3 5 STEPS FOR MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURE 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 is 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
66. n 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 18 General Safety Information 2 3 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 angles 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 3 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 3 10 TIRE FUNDAMENTALS F
67. nection of Breakaway Brake 4 1 2 7 Matching Trailer and Hitch 4 1 2 8 Worn Tires Loose Wheels and Lug Nuts 4 1 2 9 Improper Loading 0 6 1 2 10 Unsafe Load Distribution 6 1 2 11 Shifting Cargo 7 1 2 12 Inappropriate Cargo 8 1 2 13 Inoperable Brakes Lights or Mirrors 8 1 2 14 Hazards From Modifying Your Trailer wid 1 2 15 Hazards from Accessories 9 1 2 15 1 Generator 9 1 2 15 2 Shore Power 1 2 15 3 LP Gas Fuel System 1 2 16 Safety Warning Labels on Your Trailer 1 2 17 Trailer Towing Guide 1 2 18 Reporting Safety Defects iss 33 i 1 3 SAFE TRAILER TOWING GUIDELINES riere no e ate e ei ae ae Saapa ER sevencd tecdesdsevetevasetspatvarcytnaecccndseds 14 2 TIRE SAFETY INFORMATION cccccssssssesessessenseesessessesseesseseeseeseesseeseesaessesseeseusaesseeseusaeeseuseenessenses 15 2 1 STEPS FOR DETERMINING CORRECT LOAD LIMIT TRAILER 2 1 1 Trailers 10 000 Pounds GVWR or Less nh 2 1 2 Trailers Over 10 000 Pounds GVWR Note These trailers are not required to have a tire information placard on the vehicle iet re 2 2 STEPS FOR DETERMINING CORRECT LOAD LIMIT TOW VEHICLE 2 3 TIRE SAFETY EVERYTHING RIDES ON IT 2 3 1 Safety First Basic Tire Maintenance 2 3 2 Finding Your Vehicle s Recommended Tire Pressure an 2 3 3 Understanding Tire Pressure and Load Limits 2 3 4 Checking Tire Pressure 2 3 5 Steps for Maintaining
68. nectors 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 14 General Safety 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 Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit Trailer Section 2 2 contains Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit Tow Vehicle Section 2 3 contains information from the NHTSA brochure entitled Tire Safety Everything Rides On It This brochure 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 A 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
69. of the axles are overloaded General Safety Information Tongue Weight as a Percentage of Loaded Trailer Weight Type of Hitch Percentage 10 15 for large trailers 6 10 for smaller utility and Ball Hitch or Bumper Hitch cargo trailers 5 7 for boat trailers Gooseneck Hitch 20 25 Fifth Wheel Hitch The numbers quoted above are for example purposes and should be tailored to the specific trailer For questions regarding the actual percent of tongue weight for your trailer check your model specific Literature or call 877 475 5665 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 Distribute the load evenly right and left e Keep the center of gravity low 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 Shifting cargo can result in loss of control of the trailer and can lead to death or serious injury Tie down all loads with p
70. ol and cause death or serious injury Decrease your speed when going downhill or 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 affected by slippery road surfaces when driving a tow vehicle with a trailer than driving a tow vehicle without a trailer General Safety Information 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 trucks 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
71. onnection to the tow vehicle generally a ti pin electrical connector Check the trailer tail lights by turning on your tow vehicle headlights Check the ler 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 y trai the ma trai our trailer has electric brakes your tow vehicle will have an electric brake controller that sends power to the ler brakes Before towing the trailer on the road you must operate the brake controller while trying to pull trailer in order to confirm that the electric brakes operate While towing the trailer at less than 5 mph nually operate the electric brake controller in the tow vehicle cab You should feel the operation of the er brakes General Safety Information 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 If your trailer has hydraulic surge brakes pull the emergency break away brake lanyard to check 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 obser
72. opy The breakaway brake system is not fitted with a charging facility that draws power from the tow vehicle You must periodically charge the battery to keep the breakaway brake system in working order Visually inspect the breakaway brake system for broken parts 40 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle Connect the pullpin cable to the tow vehicle Do not connect to kingpin or its support To test the break away 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 lock up Immediately replace the pullpin The breakaway brake system battery discharges rapidly when the pullpin is removed Do not tow the trailer with the breakaway brake system ON because the brake will overheat which can result in permanent brake failure 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 the breakaway brake battery at intervals recommended by the battery manufacturer 3 2 4 4 Connect the electrical cables 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 brakes for p
73. ound at Error Reference source not found for a free copy 3 2 2 TRAILER WITH BALL HITCH COUPLER A ball hitch coupler connects to a ball that is located on or under the rear bumper of tow vehicle This system of coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle is sometimes referred to as bumper pull A ball hitch 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 25 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle Be sure the Ball Hitch 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 for your tow vehicle where the load rating of the hitch and ball is equal to or greater than that of your trailer Also the ball size must be the same as the coupler size If the hitch ball is too small too large is 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 MUST HAVE A RATED TOWING CAPACITY EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE TRAILER GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING GVWR IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE HITCH BALL BE OF THE SAME SIZE AS THE COUPLER The ball size and load rating capacity are marked on the ball hitch capacity is ma
74. 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 Pace American at 877 475 5665 for free replacement labels You will need to provide us with the number shown at the bottom of the label s in order for us to send the correct one s 1 2 17 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 towing 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
75. r Move the spring loaded lock plate locking pin to the CLOSED position Be sure the locking pin is holding the lock plate Be sure the receiver is all the way on the gooseneck ball and the lock plate is engaged A properly engaged locking mechanism will allow 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 33 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle Overloading can damage the drop leg jack Do not use the drop leg jack to raise the tow vehicle more than 1 inch If the gooseneck ball cannot be secured to the receiver do not tow the trailer Call Pace American at 877 475 5665 or your dealer for assistance After testing to see that the receiver is properly secured and locked to the ball retract the jack to its fully retracted position Return the drop legs to their upper positions The drop legs are held in place with a plunger pin Rotating the plunger pin while pulling it outward will cause it to come out of engagement with the drop leg 3 2 3 3 Rig the 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 attach to the safety chain receivers in the bed of the truck If you are not certain of the hitch provisions for receiving safety chains contact the hitch manufacturer or installer DO NOT attach the safety cha
76. r accessory door opens vertically and has a hinge along its top edge These heavy doors are equipped with spring assisted lifting usually with a device known as a gas spring The gas spring lifting device is not designed to hold a vending door up You must use the provided solid prop rods to hold a vending door in the open position 55 Accessories Gas springs lose their lifting capability with age and cold weather and can cause the door to fall resulting in injury Always hold the door open until the prop roads are in place Always use prop rods to hold vending or accessory doors open Be prepared to hold the weight of the door when removing the prop rod 7 6 ELECTRIC POWERED LANDING GEAR The landing gear also known as the jack on your trailer may be powered with an electric motor The landing gear is operated up or down using controls located near the landing gear If the motor does not operate such as when the battery is fully discharged the landing gear can be operated manually with a socket wrench 56 Inspection Service amp Maintenance 8 INSPECTION SERVICE amp MAINTENANCE 8 1 INSPECTION SERVICE amp 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 compon
77. r and its contents must never exceed the total weight rating of the trailer Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or GVWR 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 exceed their Gross Axle Weight Rating GAWR The table in 1 2 10 gives recommended percentages 43 Checking the Trailer Before amp During Each Tow 4 2 CHECKING TONGUE WEIGHT To check th
78. r tightness after towing 50 miles Adjust the brake controller to engage the trailer brakes before the tow vehicle brakes Follow the instructions given with the brake controller manufacturer s literature 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 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 is locked Electrical con
79. racks and pits Check the condition of the kingpin mounting in the bed of the tow vehicle A worn bent cracked or corroded kingpin can fail while towing and may result in death or serious injury Before coupling the trailer inspect the kingpin and kingpin plate for wear bending cracks or corrosion and replace worn or damaged kingpin Be sure the fifth wheel mechanism operates freely Lubricate the fifth wheel plate surface with a light coat of Lithium base waterproof grease Be sure the fifth wheel and kingpin fasteners are tight and any welds are solid A loose fifth wheel or kingpin can result in uncoupling leading to death or serious injury Be sure the fifth wheel and kingpin are tight before coupling the trailer Be sure the brake line electrical line and any other lines are clear of the coupling area Be sure the locks are open see Fifth Wheel Coupler Operation figure If the tow vehicle is equipped with a tailgate lower it Block the trailer wheels front and rear Make certain that trailer fifth wheel plate is slightly above the kingpin plate on the tow vehicle 38 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle Back tow vehicle up close to the trailer centering the kingpin in the slot of the fifth wheel STOP before engaging the coupling If the trailer drops during coupling death or serious injury may result There must be no one under the trailer or coupler before or during the coupling operation
80. rked on the hitch 3 2 2 1 Before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle Be sure the size and rating of hitch ball match the size and rating of the coupler Hitch balls and couplers are marked with their size and rating Wipe the hitch ball clean and inspect it visually and by feel for flat spots cracks and pits Rock the ball to make sure it is tight to the hitch and visually check that the hitch ball nut is solid against the lock washer and hitch frame Wipe the inside and outside of the coupler clean and inspect it visually for cracks and deformations feel the inside of the coupler for worn spots and pits Be sure the coupler is tight to the tongue of the trailer All coupler fasteners must be visibly solid against the trailer frame Raise the bottom surface of the coupler to be above the top of the hitch ball Use the jack if one is provided otherwise use wood or concrete blocks to support the trailer tongue 26 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle 3 2 2 2 Prepare the coupler and 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 instruction
81. rone 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 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 65 Inspection Service amp Maintenance 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 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 th
82. roper operation 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 3 2 4 5 Uncoupling the Fifth Wheel Trailer with Drop leg Jack Follow these steps to uncouple your fifth wheel hitch trailer from your tow vehicle Block trailer tires to prevent the trailer from rolling before jacking the trailer up Disconnect the electrical connector Disconnect the breakaway brake switch lanyard If the tow vehicle has a tailgate lower it Make certain that ground surface below jack base will support trailer tongue load Rotate the drop leg plunger pin handle so that the plunger pin is released from the drop leg e Keep feet and hands clear of the drop leg it will drop to the ground e Rotate the plunger pin handle so that the plunger pin engaged e Slowly raise your foot permitting the drop leg to raise The plunger pin will engage a hole in the drop leg e Be sure the plunger pin is fully engaged Push it in by hand if necessary The bent part of the plunger pin handle must be touching the plunger pin housing e If your trailer has two drop leg jacks lower them both to the same level following the above instructions 41 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle If the drop legs are not set at the same level one of the drop leg jacks can be overloaded and can be damaged Release the handle or crank from its holder and eng
83. roper 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 General Safety Information 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 Yo ur trailer may be designed for specific cargo for example only for horses 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 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 Do not transport flammable explosive poisonous or other dangerous materials in your trailer Exceptions e Fuel in the tanks of vehicles that are being towed e Fuel stored in proper containers used in trailer living quarters for cooking e Fuel stored in the tank of an on board generator 1 2 13 INOPERABLE BRAKES LIGHTS OR MIRRORS Be trai mu trai sure that the electric brakes and all of the lights on your trailer are functioning properly before towing your ler Electric brakes and lights on a trailer are controlled via a c
84. s determined by manufacturer 67
85. s for details of placing the coupler in the open position Slowly back up the tow vehicle so that the hitch ball is near or aligned under the coupler if the trailer jack has raised the coupler Figure 3 1 Ball Hitch Coupler Mechanism LATCHED UNLATCHED n ies AT Released 3 2 2 3 Couple the trailer to the tow vehicle With your 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 locking mechanism will allow 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 after the coupler is locked to the hitch Overloading can damage the tongue jack Do not use the tongue jack to raise the tow vehicle more than 1 inch 27 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle If the coupler cannot be secured to the hitch ball do not tow the trailer Call 877 475 5665 at Pace American or your dealer for assistance Lower the trailer so that its entire tongue weight is held by the hitch and continue retracting the jack to its fully r
86. s is directed to the outdoors Have a working carbon monoxide detector in the accommodation spaces of your trailer before operating any LP gas appliance Do not operate portable grills or stoves inside the trailer 10 General Safety Information Risk of death due to fire or explosion Only connect an LP gas system to a supply of LP gas NOT natural gas Do not store LP gas tanks inside the trailer Only fill an LP gas tank 80 full Only fill the tank with LP gas butane or propane Overfilled tanks can release gas and cause an explosion Risk of fire or explosion If LP gas is detected by smell or by the LP gas detector e Do not touch electrical switches Extinguish flames and pilot lights Open doors for ventilation Shut off LP gas supply at the LP tank Leave the area until odor clears Correct the source of LP gas leakage before using LP appliances Do not use a flame to locate the source of an LP gas leak Risk of fire or explosion Never use a flame heat lamp or hair dryer to thaw an LP gas regulator Use an incandescent light bulb Do not remove the regulator cover or attempt to service the LP gas regulator 11 General Safety Information 1 2 16 SAFETY WARNING LABELS ON YOUR TRAILER Figure 1 1 Warning Labels and Locations UTOO19 Tire Warning UTO019 Tire Warning UT1016 Coupler Instructions UT1020 Safety Chains UT1026 Electrical Connections UT0017 Proper Loading UT1014 Breakaway To
87. s 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 between structures of the towing vehicle and trailer 24 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle e 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 Trailer lighting and braking connector A device that connects electrical power from the tow vehicle to the trailer Electricity is 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 Breakaway switch
88. se This will slowly extend the jack and transfer the weight of the trailer tongue to the jack 3 2 3 TRAILER WITH GOOSENECK COUPLER AND DROP LEG JACK A gooseneck coupler on the trailer connects to a gooseneck ball that you must have installed in the bed of the tow vehicle This system of coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle permits the tow vehicle to turn to sharper angles than are permitted by a bumper hitch system A gooseneck coupler consists of a tube in an inverted U shape and a gooseneck ball receiver We have installed a Gooseneck ball receiver that 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 gooseneck You must provide a gooseneck ball and support structure that is marked with a rating that meets or exceeds the GVWR of your trailer and matches the size of the gooseneck ball receiver If the gooseneck ball is too small is underrated is loose or is worn the trailer can come loose from the tow vehicle and may lead to death or serious injury THE TOW VEHICLE SUPPORT STRUCTURE AND GOOSENECK BALL MUST HAVE A RATED TOWING CAPACITY EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE TRAILER GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING GVWR 30 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE GOOSENECK BALL BE OF THE SAME SIZE AS THE GOOSENECK BALL RECEIVER The ball size and load rating capacity are marked on the ball hitch capacity is marked on the hitch Coupler to
89. seating configurations including quantitative examples showing illustrating how the vehicles cargo and luggage capacity decreases as combined number and size of occupants 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 2 1 STEPS FOR DETERMINING CORRECT LOAD LIMIT TRAILER 2 1 1 TRAILERS 10 000 POUNDS GVWR OR LESS 1 Locate the statement The weight of cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX Ibs on your vehicle s TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION The weight of cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX Ibs TRE SIZE COLD TIRE PRESSURE PINNAN czikensors MAMAN rear O ADDITIONAL spare none INFORMATION Tire and l aadina Tnfarmation Placard Fiatire placard See figure 1 1 This figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity 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 on 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 are not required by the government For the purpose of completeness NATM has included these statements 15 SN 2
90. sway conditions e Not maintaining proper tire pressure e Not maintaining proper torque on lugnuts 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 Weight Distribution Bars are required by many Tow Vehicle Manufactures When recommended you MUST use a Weight distribution system Use of a tow vehicle with a towing capacity less than the Gross Vehicle Weight 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 of your trailer 1 2 2 DRIVING Too FAST With ideal road conditions the maximum recommended speed for safely towing a trailer is 60 mph If you drive too fast the trailer is more likely to sway thus increasing the possibility for loss of control Also your tires may overheat thus increasing the possibility of a blowout Driving too fast for conditions can result in loss of contr
91. the lock plate to a position that permits the gooseneck ball to exit the receiver Before releasing dropleg jack make certain ground surface below jack base will support the trailer tongue load Rotate the drop leg plunger pin handle so that the plunger pin is released from the drop leg Keep feet and hands clear of drop leg base Rotate the plunger pin handle so that the plunger pin is attempting to disengage the drop leg Re engage the plunger pin Push it in by hand if necessary The bent part of the plunger pin handle must be touching the plunger pin housing If your trailer has two drop leg jacks lower them both to the same level following the above instructions Release the handle or crank from its holder and engage it with the jack shaft see Drop Leg Jack figure Rotate the handle or crank from its hold and engage it with the jack shaft see Drop Leg Jack figure Rotate the handle or crank clockwise to slowly extend the jack and transfer the weight of the trailer tongue to the jack On two speed jacks pushing the handle shaft toward the gearbox can perform rapid extension This shifts the gearbox into a high speed mode When the drop leg base contacts the ground shift the gearbox into low gear mode by pulling or pushing on the handle shaft until it locks into low gear Do not use high gear to lift the trailer the drop leg jack mechanism can be damaged High gear is used only to rapidly move the drop le
92. ty that draws power from the tow vehicle You must periodically charge 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 is 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 Do not tow the trailer with the breakaway brake system ON because the brakes will overheat which can result in permanent brake failure 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 e Store the battery indoors and e Charge the battery every three months 29 Coupling to the Tow Vehicle Replace the breakaway brake battery according to the intervals specified by battery
93. uld freeze and break if it becomes discharged 8 2 10 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 lubricants that are beneficial to tire life Using the trailer tires often also helps prevent flat spots from developing The main cause of tire 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 manufacturer s 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 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
94. us injury can occur Road test the brakes in a safe area at no more than 30 m p h before each tow 49 Breaking In a New Trailer 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 Pace American at 877 475 5665 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 50 Accessories 7 ACCESSORIES This chapter provides some basic information for the safe operation of several accessories For many accessories such as generators and LP appliances the manufacturer of the accessory has also provided instructions You must read and follow these instructions before using the accessory If you are uncertain whether you have all of the instructions call Pace American at 877 475 5665 before operating the accessory The following accessories are described in this section Gasoline or LP and Diesel Generators e Accessory Battery e Shore Power connections which provide power by plugging the trailer in to an external source of electrical power e LP Gas Fuel System e Vending or Accessory Doors e Electric powered Landing Gear Many accessories introduce the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning If you have an accessory on your trailer make sure you have a fire extinguisher c
95. valve on your LP gas tank closed at all times except when you are operating an LP gas appliance Before opening the LP shutoff valve turn off all LP gas appliances If an appliance is on when you open the shutoff valve LP gas will accumulate in the trailer which can result in an explosion Do not use a wrench to open or close the shutoff valve If the shutoff does not completely stop the flow of LP gas when it is hand tightened replace the shutoff valve LP gas leaks can result in fire or explosion If your trailer is equipped with an LP gas system it must also be equipped with an LP gas detector The LP gas detector will be located near the floor to detect the heavier than air LP gas If a leak is suspected use a soapy water solution to search for the leak Do not use a solution that contains ammonia or chlorine common in window and other household cleaning compounds because those chemicals will cause LP piping corrosion Risk of fire or explosion If LP gas is detected by smell or by the LP gas detector e Do not touch electrical switches Extinguish flames and pilot lights Open doors for ventilation Shut off LP gas supply at the LP tank Leave the area until odor clears Correct the source of LP gas leakage before using LP appliances Do not use a flame to locate the source of an LP gas leak LP gas is either propane or butane that is compressed into liquid form LP gas must be completely vaporized before being burned Butane
96. ve approaching traffic 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 Pace American at 877 475 5665 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 HAZARDS FROM ACCESSORIES The Accessories chapter of this manual contains some information about certain optional accessories that may be on your trailer Read and follow all of these instructions before operating the accessories The major hazards from some of these accessories are 1 2 15 1 Generator If your trailer is equipped with a gasoline or diesel generator you must have and follow the generator manufacturer s instructions You must also have one or more carbon monoxide detectors in the trailer s accommodation spaces Carbon Monoxide is an odorless gas that can cause death Be certain exhaust from a running generator does not accumulate in or around your trailer by situations such as e Being drawn in by fans or ventilators operated in a trailer e Prevailing wind e Be
97. y be illegal 45 Checking the Trailer Before amp During Each Tow 4 3 1 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 4 3 1 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 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 service 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 deadl
98. y fumes 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 46 Checking the Trailer Before amp During Each Tow 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 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 Have the welds repaired by your dealer 47 Checking the Trailer Before amp 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 section 8 1 Inspection Service amp Maintenance Summary Charts for more information Tires wheels and lug nuts see the Major Hazards section starting on page 1 of this manual Tire Pressure Inflate tire on trailer and tow vehicle to the pressure stated on the VIN Certification label Coupler secured and locked see the Couplin

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