| Metro Trailer Sales SAFETY TIPS |
| IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON TOWING
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| TOWING EQUIPMENT OWNERS:Make sure all operators of your equipment read and understand this information before towing. Save for reference. This will help you properly
select, use and maintain your towing equipment. Refer to owner's manuals for your tow vehicle, trailer, and other parts of your towing system. GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT and TONGUE WEIGHT are two of the most important items to consider. THESE WEIGHTS MUST NEVER EXCEED THE LOWEST RATING OF ANY PART OF YOUR TOWING SYSTEM. GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT is the weight of the trailer plus all cargo. Measure GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT by putting the fully loaded trailer on a vehicle scale. TONGUE WEIGHT is the downward force exerted on the ball by the trailer coupler. Measure TONGUE WEIGHT with the fully loaded trailer on
a level surface. |
METHOD FOR MEASURING GROSS TRAILER WEIGHT
METHOD FOR MEASURING TRAILER TONGUE WEIGHT |
YOUR TOWING EQUIPMENT
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| TRAILER HITCHES, RECEIVERS AND BALL MOUNTS |
| Select these products by their gross trailer weight and tongue weight ratings. Select
hitches and receivers for specific vehicles. |
| HITCH BALLS |
| Select by gross trailer weight rating, mounting platform thickness and hole size, and
coupler socket size. Platform must be at least 3/8 inch thick. Hole must not exceed
threaded shank diameter by more than 1/16 inch. Use lock washer. Tighten per
instructions. When tightened, shank must protrude beyond bottom of nut. Gross trailer
weight rating and ball diameter are marked on balls. |
| HITCH HEIGHT |
| Adjust the hitch head height to ensure the proper balance for the trailer. A level trailer has a desirable tongue weight
and has its weight distributed equally over the axles. A properly balanced trailer should not sway during towing. |
| TRAILER COUPLERS |
| The coupler socket should be smooth, clean and lightly lubricated. Tighten or adjust per
coupler manufacturer's instructions. |
| SAFETY CHAINS |
EVERY TIME YOU TOW. Attach securely to the hitch or tow vehicle so they can't bounce loose. Leave only
enough slack to permit full turning. Too much slack may prevent chains from
maintaining control if other connections separate. Don't let chains drag on the road.
SAFETY CHAIN INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS:
You should always connect these chains properly subsequent to moving your trailer, even for short distances.
In the unlikely event that your trailer should come loose from the hitch ball, properly
installed chains can avoid disastrous results.
The length of the safety chain has been adjusted when the end connectors were installed.
Chains should always be of equal length on both sides. The length should be adequate to
allow the tightest turn radius available while being short enough to preclude dragging on
the road.
Safety chains should always be connected by crossing them under the trailer tongue. The
right chain attaches to the left side and the left chain attaches to the right side. This will
form a cradle that catches the hitch coupler should it come loose. The end connectors
should always be connected to the hitch base plate or other location specifically provided
for this purpose. NEVER attach safety chains by looping them around the ball hitch.
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| TRAILER LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, ELECTRIC BRAKES AND BREAK AWAY
SWITCH CONNECTIONS |
| Make these safety-critical connections EVERY TIME YOU TOW, no matter how short
the trip. Check operation, including electric brake manual control, before getting on the
road. |
| SWAY CONTROLS |
| Sway controls can lessen the effects of sudden maneuvers, wind gusts and buff~
caused by other vehicles. We recommend them for trailers with large surface areas,
such as travel trailers. Adjustable friction models can help control trailers with low
tongue weight percentage. |
| OTHER USEFUL EQUIPMENT |
| AIR SPRINGS, AIR SHOCKS or HELPER SPRINGS are useful for some hitch
applications. A TRANSMISSION COOLER may be necessary for heavy towing. Many
states require TOWING MIRRORS on both sides. |
| TIRE INFLATION |
| Check often. Follow tow vehicle and trailer manufacturers' recommendations. Improper
tire inflation can cause trailer sway. The recommended air pressure for your trailers quality tubeless radial tires is found on the tire sidewall. The recommended torque range for wheel lugs is 85 ft./lbs. to 95 ft./lbs. Improper torquing could result in snapping of wheel studs. |
| CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT / REPLACE WORN PARTS |
| Check ball, coupler, chains, retaining pins and clips, and all other connections EVERY
TIME YOU TOW. Re-check at fuel and rest stops. |
| TOP OF PAGE |
| SAFE TOWING TIPS |
| NO PASSENGERS IN TRAILERS! |
| Never allow people in trailers while towing, under any circumstances. |
| TRAILER LOADING |
| Proper loading helps prevent sway. Place heavy objects on the floor ahead of the axle.
Balance the load side-to-side. Secure it to prevent shifting. Tongue weight should be
10-15 percent of gross weight for most trailers. Too low a percentage of tongue weight
can cause sway. NEVER load the trailer rear-heavy. LOAD THE TRAILER HEAVER IN
FRONT. |
| DRIVING |
| The additional weight of a trailer affects acceleration, braking and handling. Allow extra
time for passing, stopping and changing lanes. Severe bumps can damage your towing
vehicle, hitch and trailer. Drive slowly on rough roads. STOP AND MAKE A
THOROUGH INSPECTION IF ANY PART OF YOUR TOWING SYSTEM STRIKES
THE ROAD. CORRECT ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE RESUMING TRAVEL. |
| CHECK FOR EXCESSIVE SWAY AND ELIMINATE IT |
| Excessive sway can lead to loss of control. Sway motion should settle out quickly.
Sway tends to increase on a downgrade. Starting slowly, increase speed in gradual
steps. If sway occurs, adjust your trailer load and equipment. Repeat until the trailer is
stable at highway speed. Do this whenever your trailer loading changes. |
| IF YOUR TRAILER SUDDENLY STARTS TO SWAY |
| Turbulence from another vehicle, a wind gust, or a downgrade can cause sudden sway.
So can a shift of the trailer's load or a trailer tire blowout. IF THE TRAILER SWAYS, IT
IS THE DRIVER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ASSESS THE SITUATION AND TAKE
APPROPRIATE ACTION. Below are suggestions that may apply, depending on
conditions. |
| DO |
- Reduce your speed gradually.
- Hold the steering wheel as steady as possible.
- If your trailer has electric brakes, apply the trailer brakes alone, without using the
tow vehicle's brakes.
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| DON'T |
- Don't hit your brake pedal hard unless absolutely necessary. A "jackknife" can result.
- Don't try to steer out of the sway condition. Sudden or violent steering can make it
worse.
- Don't speed up. Sway increases as you go faster.
- Don't continue towing a trailer that tends to sway. You may lose control during an
emergency maneuver or if the conditions listed above occur.
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| TOP OF PAGE |
CHECK BEFORE TOWING
- ALL PARTS,BOLTS AND NUTS ARE TIGHT
- LOAD IS PROPERLY SECURED IN / ON TRAILER
- TIRES PROPERLY INFLATED
- TRAILER IS NOT OVERLOADED
- ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS ARE WORKING
- BRAKES ARE WORKING PROPERLY BEFORE MOVING
- THE SAFETY CHAIN IS SECURED
- THE HITCHING MECHANISMS ARE SECURE
- ALL GATES ARE SECURED
- THE JACK IS RASED TO ITS HIGHEST POSITION
- THE CRANK HANDLE IS SECURED
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IT PAYS TO BE SAFE
CHECK WHEEL LUGS
AND TIRE PRESSURE
BEFORE MOVING
USE MANUFACTURERS
RECOMMENDATIONS ON
TORQUE AND TIRE PRESSURE |
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