SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

MAJOR HAZARDS

Loss of control of the trailer or trailer/tow vehicle combination can result in death or serious injury. The most common causes of loss of control of the trailer are:

 Improper sizing the trailer for the tow vehicle, or vice versa.

 Excessive Speed: Driving too fast for the conditions.

 Failure to adjust driving behavior when towing a trailer.

 Overloading and/or improper weight distribution.

 Improper or miss-coupling of the trailer to the hitch.

 Not maintaining proper tire pressure.

 Not keeping lug nuts tight.

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.

DRIVING TOO FAST

With ideal road conditions, the maximum recommended speed for safely towing a trailer is 90 Km/h. If you drive too fast, the trailer is more likely to sway, thus increasing the possibility of loss of control. Also, your tires may overheat, thus increasing the possibility of a blowout.

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 this in mind:

 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.

 Be aware of your trailer height, especially when approaching bridges, roofed areas and around trees.

 Check rearview mirrors frequently to observe the trailer and traffic.

 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.

TRAILER NOT PROPERLY COUPLED TO THE TOW BALL

It is critical that the trailer be securely coupled to the tow ball, and that the safety chains are correctly attached. Uncoupling may result in death or serious injury to you and to others.

Proper selection and condition of the coupler and tow ball are essential to safely towing your trailer. A loss of coupling may result in death or serious injury.

 Be sure the tow ball size matches the coupler size. Use 50mm tow ball.

 Observe the tow ball for wear, corrosion and cracks before coupling. Replace worn, corroded or cracked tow ball components before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle.

 Be sure the tow ball components are tight before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle.

An improperly coupled trailer can result in death or serious injury. DO NOT MOVE THE TRAILER UNTIL:

 the coupler is secured and locked to tow ball;

 Remove jockey wheel before towing.

 Safety chains are secured to the tow vehicle, and the trailer jack(s) are fully retracted.

 Tires and wheels are checked; check wheels air pressure periodically.

 always lock all doors and windows before towing.

 The load is secured to the trailer; and

 Trailer lights are connected and checked.

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.

TIRES, LOOSE WHEELS, AND BOLTS

Just as with your tow vehicle, the trailer tires and wheels are important safety items. Therefore, it is essential to inspect the trailer tires and bolts before each tow.

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 service center. Uneven tread wear can be caused by tire imbalance, axle misalignment or incorrect inflation.

Tires with too little tread will not provide adequate frictional forces on wet roadways and can result in loss of control, leading to death or serious injury.

Improper tire pressure causes increased tire wear and may reduce trailer stability, which can result in a tire blowout or possible loss of control. Therefore, before each tow you must also check the tire pressure:

40-45 PSI – Loaded trailer

Remember, the proper tire pressure normally should be checked when tires are cold. Allow 3 hours cool-down after driving as much as 1 Km at 40 mph before checking tire pressure.

Bolts are 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 30, 60 and 90 Km of driving and before each tow thereafter.

IMPROPER LOADING

The total weight of the load you put on the trailer, plus the empty weight of the trailer itself, must not exceed 1200 Kg/Axle

You must distribute the load in the trailer such that the load on the trailer does not exceed:

350 Kg - Single axle

750 Kg - Double axle (tandem)

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. Always lock all doors and windows before towing.

INAPPROPRIATE CARGO

Your trailer may be designed for specific cargo. If your trailer is designed for specific cargo, only carry that cargo in the trailer. A trailer must not be used to carry certain items, such as people, containers of hazardous substances or containers of flammable substances.

UNSAFE LOAD DISTRIBUTION

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.

BEFORE ENTERING INTO THE TRAILER

 Put Jockey wheel before uncoupling

 Put all four legs stand down before entering trailer.

 Use handbrake system or wheels stoppers when parked.

​SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

​

MAJOR HAZARDS

Loss of control of the trailer or trailer/tow vehicle combination can result in death or serious injury. The most common causes of loss of control of the trailer are:

 Improper sizing the trailer for the tow vehicle, or vice versa.

 Excessive Speed: Driving too fast for the conditions.

 Failure to adjust driving behavior when towing a trailer.

 Overloading and/or improper weight distribution.

 Improper or miss-coupling of the trailer to the hitch.

 Not maintaining proper tire pressure.

 Not keeping lug nuts tight.

IMPROPER SIZING OF THE TRAILER TO THE TOW VEHICLE

DRIVING TOO FAST

With ideal road conditions, the maximum recommended speed for safely towing a trailer is 90 Km/h. If you drive too fast, the trailer is more likely to sway, thus increasing the possibility of loss of control. Also, your tires may overheat, thus increasing the possibility of a blowout.

FAILURE TO ADJUST DRIVING BEHAVIOR WHEN TOWING A TRAILER

 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.

 Be aware of your trailer height, especially when approaching bridges, roofed areas and around trees.

 Check rearview mirrors frequently to observe the trailer and traffic.

 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.

TRAILER NOT PROPERLY COUPLED TO THE TOW BALL

It is critical that the trailer be securely coupled to the tow ball, and that the safety chains are correctly attached. Uncoupling may result in death or serious injury to you and to others.

Proper selection and condition of the coupler and tow ball are essential to safely towing your trailer. A loss of coupling may result in death or serious injury.

 Be sure the tow ball size matches the coupler size. Use 50mm tow ball.

 Observe the tow ball for wear, corrosion and cracks before coupling. Replace worn, corroded or cracked tow ball components before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle.

 Be sure the tow ball components are tight before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle.

An improperly coupled trailer can result in death or serious injury. DO NOT MOVE THE TRAILER UNTIL:

 the coupler is secured and locked to tow ball;

 Remove jockey wheel before towing.

 Tires and wheels are checked; check wheels air pressure periodically.

 always lock all doors and windows before towing.

 The load is secured to the trailer; and

 Trailer lights are connected and checked.

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.

TIRES, LOOSE WHEELS, AND BOLTS

Just as with your tow vehicle, the trailer tires and wheels are important safety items. Therefore, it is essential to inspect the trailer tires and bolts before each tow.

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 service center. Uneven tread wear can be caused by tire imbalance, axle misalignment or incorrect inflation.

Tires with too little tread will not provide adequate frictional forces on wet roadways and can result in loss of control, leading to death or serious injury.

Improper tire pressure causes increased tire wear and may reduce trailer stability, which can result in a tire blowout or possible loss of control. Therefore, before each tow you must also check the tire pressure:

40-45 PSI – Loaded trailer

Remember, the proper tire pressure normally should be checked when tires are cold. Allow 3 hours cool-down after driving as much as 1 Km at 40 mph before checking tire pressure.

Bolts are 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 30, 60 and 90 Km of driving and before each tow thereafter.

IMPROPER LOADING

The total weight of the load you put on the trailer, plus the empty weight of the trailer itself, must not exceed 1200 Kg/Axle

You must distribute the load in the trailer such that the load on the trailer does not exceed:

350 Kg - Single axle

750 Kg - Double axle (tandem)

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. Always lock all doors and windows before towing.

INAPPROPRIATE CARGO

Your trailer may be designed for specific cargo. If your trailer is designed for specific cargo, only carry that cargo in the trailer. A trailer must not be used to carry certain items, such as people, containers of hazardous substances or containers of flammable substances.

UNSAFE LOAD DISTRIBUTION

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.

BEFORE ENTERING INTO THE TRAILER

 Put Jockey wheel before uncoupling

 Put all four legs stand down before entering trailer.

 Use handbrake system or wheels stoppers when parked.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS