Roadmaster Sterling All Terrain - Manual (Page 18)

How to use safety cables
16
Safety cables are an integral part of your towing sys-
tem. They are a secondary safety device, required by law
in many states. This section, and the following section,
will acquaint you with how to use them properly.
• The safety cables must connect the towing vehicle
to the towed vehicle, frame to frame.
• The safety cables must be rated at 6,000 pounds
weight capacity per pair, or higher. This is the maximum
weight capacity of the tow bar — the towed vehicle and
all its contents cannot exceed 6,000 pounds.
• Pull the safety cables so that all the slack is at the
motorhome. Make sure there is enough slack in the
cables at the motorhome to allow for sharp turns — if
there is not enough slack, the towing system will be se-
verely damaged when the motorhome turns a sharp cor-
ner.
• The safety cables must be the correct length…
• Make sure the cables are not too short — if you use
a receiver hitch extension or other equipment that ex-
tends the distance between the towed vehicle and the
motorhome, the standard cables may be too short. If the
cables are too short, the towing system will be severely
damaged when the motorhome turns a sharp corner.
(Twelve-inch safety cable extensions, part number
910648-12, are available from ROADMASTER.)
• Make sure the cables are not too long — the cables
should not hang down to the extent they may catch on
obstructions, or drag on the ground. This much slack
could cause damage to the towing system, the towed
vehicle, or the motorhome.
If the cables are too long, wrap the excess cable
around the tow bar to take up the slack. Make sure there
is enough slack in the cables at the motorhome to
allow for sharp turns.
Damage caused by using safety cables of an
incorrect length is not covered under warranty.
• Always cross the cables under the hitch receiver, as
shown in Figure 16 under “Proper installation of safety
cables.” In the unlikely event the tow bar separates from
the motorhome, crossing the cables will help prevent the
tow bar from dragging on the ground, which can cause
the tow bar to “pole vault” the towed vehicle.
• Some ROADMASTER tow bar mounting kits with
removable arms use two safety cables on each side. If
two sets of safety cables are required, both must be
used. This is required by law. Refer to “Proper installa-
tion of safety cables” for further information.
Failure to follow these instructions may cause
property damage, personal injury or even death.
WARNING