Safety guidelines — trailers – Multiquip LT6K User Manual

Page 52

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page 52 — LT6K LIgHT TOWeR • OpeRaTIOn manuaL — Rev. #1 (08/28/14)

safety guiDelines — trailers

„

Raise the bottom surface of the coupler to be above the

top of the pintle hitch hook. Use the tongue jackstand

to support the trailer tongue. Wood or concrete blocks

may also be used.

Coupling Trailer to Tow vehicle (pintle Coupler)

„

Slowly back up the tow vehicle so that the pintle

hitch hook is near or aligned under the pintle eye ring

coupler.

„

Using the jackstand at the front of trailer (tongue), turn

the jackstand crank handle to raise the trailer. If the pintle

eye coupler does not line up with the pintle hitch hook,

adjust the position of the tow vehicle.

„

OPEN the pintle hook locking mechanism (Figure G).

Place the hook inside the eye coupler. CLOSE the pintle

hook mechanism.

Figure G. Attaching Safety Chain (Pintle Coupler)

„

Insert a pin or lock through the hole in the locking

mechanism.

„

Be sure the pintle hook is inserted completely through

the eye ring and the locking mechanism is engaged.

A properly engaged locking mechanism will allow the

coupler to raise the rear of the tow vehicle. Using the

trailer jack, test to see that you can raise the rear of the

tow vehicle by1-inch after the coupler is locked to the

hitch.

WaRnIng

A defective pintle hitch not properly fastened can result

in uncoupling, leading to death or serious injury.
Be sure the pintle hook is securly tighten to the tow

vehicle before coupling the trailer.

TRAILER
TONGUE

SAFETY CHAIN

MASTER LINK

TOW

VEHICLE

CROSS BOTH

SAFETY CHAINS

IMPORTANT!

PINTLE

HOOK

PINTLE

RING “EYE”

SAFETY

CHAIN

„

Lower the trailer so that its entire tongue weight is held

by the hitch.

„

Raise the jackstand to a height where it will not interfere

with the road.

TIRE SAFETY

unsafe Tires, Lug nuts or Wheels

Trailer tires and wheels are more likely to fail than car tires

and wheels because they carry a heavier load. Therefore,

it is essential to inspect the trailer tires before each tow.
If a tire has a bald spot, bulge, cuts, is showing any cords,

or is cracked, replace the tire before towing. If a tire has

uneven tread wear, take the trailer to a dealer service

center for diagnosis.
Uneven tread wear can be caused by tire imbalance, axle

misalignment or incorrect infl ation.
Tires with too little tread will not provide adequate tracking

on wet roadways and can result in loss of control, leading

to death or serious injury.
Improper tire pressure causes an unstable trailer and

can result in a tire blowout and loss of control. Therefore,

before each tow you must also check the tire pressure. Tire

pressure must be checked when tires are cold.
Allow 3 hours cool-down after driving as much as 1 mile at

40 mph before checking tire pressure. Trailer tires will be

infl ated to higher pressures than passenger vehicle tires.
Since trailer wheels and lug nuts (or bolts) are subjected

to greater side loads than automobile wheels, they are

more prone to loosen. Before each tow, check to make

sure they are tight.
The proper tightness (torque) for lug nuts is listed in the lug

nut tightening section of this manual. Use a torque wrench

to tighten the lug nuts. If you do not have a torque wrench,

use a lug wrench (from your tow vehicle) and tighten the

nuts as much as you can. Then have a service garage or

trailer dealer tighten the lug nuts to the proper torque.

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