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1.ASK QUESTIONS: |
Towing vehicle Trailer |
What is the: What is the: |
Make and model? Type of
trailer? |
Model year? Gross trailer
weight? |
Vehicle maximum towing
capacity? Tongue size? |
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2.DETERMINE THE TOWING
WEIGHTS |
The most important factors
in choosing the correct towing equipment is the gross trailer weight (GTW)
and tongue weight (TW). |
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For the trailer: Gross
trailer weight is the weight of the trailer completely
loaded. To determine actual GTW, the trailer should be
placed on a vehicle scale.To determine an approximate GTW, review
the weight chart on Page 105.Select a similar trailer and find
the corresponding trailer length. The Gross Trailer Weight provided
is a stock trailer.Adjust the chart weight accordingly to the
actual load. Tongue
weight (TW) is the downward force exerted on the hitch ball
by the trailer coupler. Usually, TW is 10% to 15% of GTW. Tongue
weight may be measured using a bathroom scale, by resting
the trailer coupler on the scale and placing the scale on a box
so the trailer is at normal towing height.Load the trailer as if being
towed.
For the tow vehicle: The vehicle’s maximum towing capacity is determined
by the manufacturer. This is found in the owner’s manual. |
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3.SELECTING THE RIGHT HITCH |
With the correct Gross
Trailer Weight (GTW) and Vehicle Towing Capacity, the correct trailer
hitch can be selected.Refer to the trailer
weight guide chart ,
to match the GTW to a trailer hitch. |
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Class I Hidden Hitch is
designed for vehicles towing 2,000 lbs. |
GTW or less, 200 lbs.TW.In
some cases, Class I Hidden Hitch may tow up to 2,500 lbs. GTW, 250 lbs. TW.
A typical Class I application is used for towing small utility trailers.
Passenger vehicles are most suited for Class I applications. |
Class II Hidden Hitch is
designed for vehicles towing 3,500 lbs. |
GTW, 300 lbs.TW.A typical
Class II application is used for towing large utility trailers, boats or
campers. Sport utility vehicles, minivans, large passenger cars, and
mid-size pick-up trucks are suited for Class II Hidden Hitches |
Class III & IV Hidden
Hitch Receivers have
the towing capacity of up to 6,000 lbs.GTW or less, 600 lbs TW. The towing
capacity may be increased to a maximum of 10,000 lbs.GTW, 1,000 lbs. TW
using a weight distribution system.The GTW and TW must conform to the
vehicles maximum towing capacity. Refer to the vehicle owner’s manual.
All pick-up trucks, full size vans and sport utility vehicles may use a
Class III receiver. |
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Class V Hidden Hitch MAGNUM
Receivers have the
towing capacity of 8,000 GTW, 1,200 TW;14,000 lbs.GTW, 1,700 lbs. |
TW with weight
distribution.The MAGNUM is designed for only full-size pick-up trucks. |
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4.SELECT THE PROPER
ACCESSORIES |
Once the correct trailer
hitch is selected, towing accessories complete the towing package. The
following accessories are required. Several types of each accessory are
available. Consult the noted page number for exact requirements. |
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1. Trailer
ball - mounted on the drawbar or ball mount.The ball size must
match the trailer coupler size. |
2.
Drawbar/Ball
mount - Hidden Hitch products have removable ball mounts. |
3. Trailer
coupler - required on a trailer. |
4. Electrical and wiring -
all tow vehicles must be properly wired. |
5.
Brake
control - required when towing a trailer with electric brakes. |
6. Safety
chains - required when towing. |
7. Transmission
oil coolers,
a must for all automatic transmissions. |
HITCHING UP TIPS |
Hitching a trailer to your
tow vehicle is usually a one-man job, but it is easier if someone helps. |
Here are the basic steps: |
1. |
Back your tow vehicle as
close as possible to the trailer;it's easier and safer to do this than to
pull the trailer to your car or truck. |
2. |
Release the coupler locking
device. |
3. |
Raise the front end of the
trailer coupler directly over the hitch ball; then lower it until it is
seated on the hitch ball, covering it completely. |
4. |
Check under the coupling to
ensure the ball clamp is below the ball and not riding on top of it. |
5. |
Latch the coupler to the
hitch ball. Make sure it's locked in place by lifting up the trailer
tongue. If the coupler comes loose from the ball, unlatch it and go back
to Step 3. |
6. |
Make sure your jack is
fully raised. |
7. |
If you have a
weight-distributing hitch with spring bars, follow the above procedure,
then attach the spring bar chain to the trailer and tighten it until your
trailer and car are in a normal level position. |
8. |
If your trailer has a surge
brake, breakaway cable, or chain, attach the cable or chain to your tow
vehicle, allowing enough slack for you to make tight turns. |
9. |
Attach the safety chains
and criss-cross them under the ball mount to ensure they do not drag. |
10. |
Connect the trailer wiring
harness to the lighting system of your tow vehicle and check its operation
(see the 'Pre-Trip Checklist'). |
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TH E
'PRE-TRIP CHECKLIST' |
TOW VEHICLE Walk
around the vehicle and check these items: |
ITEM |
OK |
NEEDS |
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ATTENTION |
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Coolant level
in radiator |
__________ |
________ |
Coolant level
in coolant recovery reservoir |
__________ |
________ |
Radiator cap
fits properly |
__________ |
________ |
Water level
in battery |
__________ |
________ |
Battery
terminals free of corrosion |
__________ |
________ |
Radiator
hoses (flexible and tight) |
__________ |
________ |
Fan belt
tight? Worn? |
__________ |
________ |
Transmission
fluid level |
__________ |
________ |
Condition of
transmission fluid (if fluid is |
__________ |
________ |
pinkish-oil
OK, if fluid is dark brown, you |
__________ |
________ |
need your
transmission serviced) |
__________ |
________ |
Transmission
fluid cooler hoses and connections |
__________ |
________ |
Engine oil
level (how many miles since |
__________ |
________ |
last oil
change?) |
__________ |
________ |
Power
steering fluid level |
__________ |
________ |
Hose &
connections to power steering |
__________ |
________ |
Spark plug
wires snug |
__________ |
________ |
Air filter
(when was it last changed?) |
__________ |
________ |
Fluid in
windshield washer reservoir |
__________ |
________ |
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TRAILER Walk
around the trailer and check these items:
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ITEM |
OK |
NEEDS |
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ATTENTION |
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All lights
operate properly |
__________ |
________ |
All tires
(tire pressure and tread wear) |
__________ |
________ |
All wheel
lugs |
__________ |
________ |
Safety chains
connected and criss-crossed |
__________ |
________ |
Breakaway
switch and lanyard |
__________ |
________ |
Coupler
locking-pin (if used) |
__________ |
________ |
Trailer
electric cable connected & secure |
__________ |
________ |
Trailer
lights and turn signals |
__________ |
________ |
functioning
with tow vehicle |
__________ |
________ |
Tongue jack
fully up |
__________ |
________ |
Dolly wheel
removed (if appropriate) |
__________ |
________ |
Load
distributed in trailer so that proper |
__________ |
________ |
tongue weight
is maintained |
__________ |
________ |
(about 10% on
trailer load) |
__________ |
________ |
Trailer is
level when attached |
__________ |
________ |
Bearings
greased |
__________ |
________ |
Coupler size
matches ball size |
__________ |
________ |
Pin &
clip installed through drawbar of hitch |
__________ |
________ |
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