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 ......................................................................................................11
2.2.13 InoperaBle BrakeS or lIghtS .........................................................................................11
2.2.14 traIler modIfIcatIonS .....................................................................................................11
2.2.15 dump traIler hazardS ....................................................................................................11
2.2.16 traIler towIng guIde .................................................................................................... 12
2.2.17 Safe traIler towIng guIdelIneS .................................................................................... 13
2.2.18 Safety warnIng laBelS on traIler ............................................................................... 14
2.2.19 reportIng Safety defectS ............................................................................................. 17
3. tIre Safety InformatIon ......................................................................... 18
3.1 Trailer Tire Information ....................................................................................18
3.2 Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit - Trailer .....................................19
3.2.1 traIlerS 10,000 poundS gVwr or leSS ........................................................................ 19
3.2.2 traIlerS oVer 10,000 poundS gVwr ............................................................................ 19
3.3 Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit - Tow Vehicle ............................20
3.4 Glossary Of Tire Terminology .........................................................................20
3.5 Tire Safety - Everything Rides On It ...............................................................22
3.5.1 Safety fIrSt- BaSIc tIre maIntenance ............................................................................. 23
3.5.2 fIndIng your VehIcle’S recommended tIre preSSure and load lImItS .............................. 23
3.5.3 underStandIng tIre preSSure and load lImItS ................................................................ 23
3.5.4 Safety fIrSt- BaSIc tIre maIntenance ............................................................................. 23
3.5.5 StepS for maIntaInIng proper tIre preSSure .................................................................. 23
3.5.6 tIre SIze .......................................................................................................................... 24
3.5.7 tIre tread ........................................................................................................................ 24
3.5.8 tIre Balance and wheel alIgnment ................................................................................ 24
3.5.9 tIre repaIr ...................................................................................................................... 24
3.5.10 tIre fundamentalS ......................................................................................................... 24
3.5.10.1 InformatIon on paSSenger VehIcle tIreS ............................................................... 24
3.5.10.2 UTQGS Information ........................................................................................................25
3.5.10.3 Additional Information On Light Truck Tires ...............................................................26
3.5.10.4 Tire Safety Tips ............................................................................................................... 26
Contents