Multiquip AP6 Series - Manual (Page 63)

AP6/AP8 SERIES TRASH PUMPS • OPERATION AND PARTS MANUAL — REV. #0 (06/11/14) — PAGE 63
TRAILER SAFETY GUIDELINES
DRIVING CONDITIONS When towing a trailer, you will have decreased acceleration, increased stopping distance, and increased turning radius (which means you must make wider turns to keep from hitting curbs, vehicles, and anything else that is on the inside corner). In addition, you will need a longer distance to pass, due to slower acceleration and increased length.
 Be alert for slippery conditions. You are more likely to be affected by slippery road surfaces when driving a tow vehicle with a trailer, than driving a tow vehicle without a trailer.
 Check rearview mirrors frequently to observe the trailer and traffi c.
 NEVER drive faster than what is safe. COUPLING TO THE TOW VEHICLE Follow all of the safety precautions and instructions in this manual to ensure safety of persons, equipment, and satisfactory life of the trailer. Always use an adequate tow vehicle and hitch. If the vehicle or hitch is not properly selected and matched to the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your trailer, you can cause an accident that could lead to death or serious injury.
If you already have a tow vehicle, know your vehicle tow rating and make certain the trailer’s rated capacity is less than or equal to the tow vehicle’s rated towing capacity. If you already have (or plan to buy) a trailer, make certain that the tow rating of the tow vehicle is equal to or greater than that of the trailer.
The trailer VIN tag contains the critical safetyinformation
WARNING
Driving too fast for severe road conditions can result in loss of control and cause death or serious injury.
Decrease your speed as road, weather, and lighting conditions deteriorate.
Always check for local trailer tow speed limits in your area. WARNING
Do not transport people on the trailer. The transport of people puts their lives at risk and may be illegal.
for the use of your trailer. Again, be sure your hitch and tow vehicle are rated for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of your trailer.
WARNING
Proper selection and condition of the coupler and hitch are essential to safely towing your trailer. A loss of coupling may result in death or serious injury.
• Be sure the hitch load rating is equal to or greater than the load rating of the coupler.
• Be sure the hitch size matches the coupler size.
• Observe the hitch for wear, corrosion and cracks before coupling. Replace worn, corroded or cracked hitch components before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle.
• Be sure the hitch components are tight before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle.
WARNING
An improperly coupled trailer can result in death or serious injury.
DO NOT move the trailer until:
• The coupler is secured and locked to hitch.
• The safety chains are secured to the tow vehicle.
• The trailer jack(s) are fully retracted.
DO NOT tow the trailer on the road until:
• Tires and wheels are checked.
• The trailer brakes are checked.
• The breakaway switch is connected to the tow vehicle.
• The load is secured to the trailer.
• The trailer lights are connected and checked.
WARNING
Use of a hitch with a load rating less than the load rating of the trailer can result in loss of control and may lead to death or serious injury.
Use of a tow vehicle with a towing capacity less than the load rating of the trailer can result in loss of control, and may lead to death or serious injury.
Be sure your hitch and tow vehicle are rated for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of your trailer.
INOPERABLE BRAKES, LIGHTS OR MIRRORS
Be sure that the brakes and all of the lights on your trailer
are functioning properly before towing your trailer. Check
the trailer taillights by turning on your tow vehicle headlights.
Check the trailer brake lights by having someone step on
the tow vehicle brake pedal while you look at trailer lights.
Do the same thing to check the turn signal lights. See Trailer
Wiring Diagram section in this manual.
Standard mirrors usually do not provide adequate visibility
for viewing traffi c to the sides and rear of a towed trailer.
You must provide mirrors that allow you to safely observe
approaching traffi c.
TRAILER TOWING TIPS
Driving a vehicle with a trailer in tow is vastly different
from driving the same vehicle without a trailer in tow.
Acceleration, maneuverability and braking are all diminished
with a trailer in tow.
It takes longer to get up to speed, you need more room to
turn and pass, and more distance to stop when towing a
trailer. You will need to spend time adjusting to the different
feel and maneuverability of the tow vehicle with a loaded
trailer.
Because of the signifi cant differences in all aspects of
maneuverability when towing a trailer, the hazards and risks
of injury are also much greater than when driving without
a trailer. You are responsible for keeping your vehicle and
trailer in control, and for all the damage that is caused if
you lose control of your vehicle and trailer.
As you did when learning to drive an automobile, fi nd
an open area with little or no traffi c for your fi rst practice
trailering. Of course, before you start towing the trailer, you
must follow all of the instructions for inspection, testing,
loading and coupling. Also, before you start towing, adjust
the mirrors so you can see the trailer as well as the area
to the rear of it.
WARNING
Improper electrical connection between the tow vehicle
and the trailer will result in inoperable lights and can
lead to collision.
Before each tow, check that the tail lights, brake lights
and turn signals work.
Drive slowly at fi rst, 5 mph or so, and turn the wheel to
get the feel of how the tow vehicle and trailer combination
responds. Next, make some right and left hand turns.
Watch in your side mirrors to see how the trailer follows
the tow vehicle. Turning with a trailer attached requires
more room.
Stop the rig a few times from speeds no greater than
10 mph. If your trailer is equipped with brakes, try using
different combinations of trailer brake and tow vehicle brake.
Note the effect that the trailer brakes have when they are
the only brakes used. When properly adjusted, the trailer
brakes will come on just before the tow vehicle brakes.
It will take practice to learn how to back up a tow vehicle
with a trailer attached. Take it slow. Before backing up, get
out of the tow vehicle and look behind the trailer to make
sure that there are no obstacles.
Some drivers place their hands at the bottom of the steering
wheel, and while the tow vehicle is in reverse, “think” of the
hands as being on the top of the wheel. When the hands
move to the right (counterclockwise, as you would do to
turn the tow vehicle to the left when moving forward), the
rear of the trailer moves to the right. Conversely, rotating
the steering wheel clockwise with your hands at the bottom
of the wheel will move the rear of the trailer to the left while
backing up.
If you are towing a bumper hitch rig, be careful not to allow
the trailer to turn too much because it will hit the rear of the
tow vehicle. To straighten the rig, either pull forward or turn
the steering wheel in the opposite direction.
TRAILER VIN TAG
Figure A below is a sample of the Vehicle Identifi cation
Number (VIN) Tag which is typically located on the left front
of the trailer. See Figure B for location.
Figure A. Vehicle VIN Tag