Operating Guide

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1. IntroductIon ............................................................................................ 5
2. Safety .................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Safety Alert Symbols And Signal Words .......................................................6
2.2 Major Hazards ...................................................................................................6
2.2.1 Improper SIzIng of traIler to tow VehIcle ..................................................................... 6
2.2.2 drIVIng too faSt ............................................................................................................. 6
2.2.3 adjuSt drIVIng when towIng traIler .............................................................................. 7
2.2.4 traIler not properly coupled to hItch ......................................................................... 7
2.2.5 proper uSe of Safety chaInS ......................................................................................... 8
2.2.6 proper connectIon of Breakaway Brake ........................................................................ 8
2.2.7 matchIng traIler and hItch ............................................................................................ 8
2.2.8 worn tIreS, looSe wheelS and lug nutS ....................................................................... 8
2.2.9 Improper loadIng ............................................................................................................ 9
2.2.10 unSafe load dIStrIButIon ............................................................................................ 10
2.2.11 ShIftIng cargo ............................................................................................................ 10
2.2.12 InapproprIate cargo ................................................................................................... 10
2.2.13 InoperaBle BrakeS or lIghtS .......................................................................................11
2.2.14 traIler modIfIcatIonS ...................................................................................................11
2.2.15 traIler towIng guIde ...................................................................................................11
2.2.16 Safe traIler towIng guIdelIneS .................................................................................. 12
2.2.17 Safety warnIng laBelS on your traIler .................................................................... 13
2.2.18 reportIng Safety defectS ........................................................................................... 16
3. tIre Safety InformatIon ......................................................................... 17
3.1 Trailer Tire Information ..................................................................................17
3.2 Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit - Trailer ...................................18
3.2.1 traIlerS 10,000 poundS gVwr or leSS ...................................................................... 18
3.2.2 traIlerS oVer 10,000 poundS gVwr .......................................................................... 18
3.3 Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit - Tow Vehicle ..........................19
3.4 Glossary Of Tire Terminology .......................................................................19
3.5 Tire Safety - Everything Rides On It .............................................................21
3.5.1 Safety fIrSt- BaSIc tIre maIntenance ........................................................................... 22
3.5.2 fIndIng your VehIcle’S recommended tIre preSSure and load lImItS ............................ 22
3.5.3 underStandIng tIre preSSure and load lImItS .............................................................. 22
3.5.4 Safety fIrSt- BaSIc tIre maIntenance ........................................................................... 22
3.5.5 StepS for maIntaInIng proper tIre preSSure ................................................................ 22
3.5.6 tIre SIze ........................................................................................................................ 23
3.5.7 tIre tread ..................................................................................................................... 23
3.5.8 tIre Balance and wheel alIgnment .............................................................................. 23
3.5.9 tIre repaIr .................................................................................................................... 23
3.5.10 tIre fundamentalS ....................................................................................................... 23
3.5.10.1 InformatIon on paSSenger VehIcle tIreS ............................................................. 23
3.5.10.2
UTQGS Information ...................................................................................................... 24
3.5.10.3 Additional Information On Light Truck Tires .............................................................24
3.5.10.4 Tire Safety Tips .............................................................................................................25
Contents