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Travel Trailer Safety Chains
Your RV is equipped with chains to meet SAE standard requirements
for maximum gross trailer weight. Always have the safety chains
attached when towing. Install them as shown below so they do not
restrict sharp turns, but tight enough so they do not drag on the
ground.
Crisscross the left safety chain under the coupler and attach to the
right mounting slot in the trailer hitch; repeat with the right safety
chain. Slack for each length should be the same but not more than
necessary to permit the vehicle to turn at its minimum radius, but tight
enough not to drag on the ground.
Your RVs emergency brake line should never be installed to the safety
chain or safety chain hook. Attach the emergency brake line to a
permanent fixture on the tow vehicle with a sturdy carabiner or other
strong removable connector.
1. Inspect chains to determine if they are
properly attached to the trailer frame.
3. Connect passenger side chain to
driver side mounting point on tow vehicle
hitch. Chains should cross but not touch
the ground.
FIFTH WHEEL PIN BOX (CUSTOMER SUPPLIED)
(See page 16)
Hitch selection affects the towing and handling characteristics of
your RV, and is critical to safe towing. Talk to your dealer about the
appropriate hitch for your individual tow vehicle/RV combination. A
fifth wheel requires a pin box hitch bolted directly to the floor of the
truck bed through the frame.
Your tow vehicle's bed length will also determine hitch options. Using
the wrong hitch on a short bed truck, as an example, could cause
damage to the truck when the front edge of the trailer swings into the
truck cab during tight turns while backing up.
The rating of the hitch package purchased should be equal to or
greater than the RV's GVWR and the pin box rating.
Page 14
PRE TRAVEL INFORMATION
2. Connect driver side chain to passenger
side mounting point on tow vehicle hitch.
4. Properly mounted safety chains.
Trailer plug and emergency brake line
attached. Trailer jack raised.
Suspension equipment that gives trucks and sport utility vehicles
a softer ride can often accentuate swaying when pulling an RV.
Conversely, suspension that is too stiff will increase vibration, bounce,
and accelerate wear of your tow vehicle and RV combination. Your
RV manufacturer cannot be responsible for the suspension
system of any tow vehicle. There are a variety of tow vehicle
suspension systems available that will affect the pin box height,
stability and levelness of a hooked up RV.
The fifth wheel factory installed pin box is not interchangeable.
Maintain the proper pin box weight on the hitch. A low hitch will
transfer additional weight to the hitch. Refer to a professional to
adjust the hitch to the proper height.
If you have additional questions, consult with your dealer. Make
certain your dealer is aware of the tow vehicle you are using so a
compatible hookup is achieved.
Fifth Wheel Hitching Procedure
(See page 16)
The following procedure will help to assist you in securely hooking up
your RV to your tow vehicle.
1.
Chock the trailer wheels.
2.
Make sure the hitch lever is in its open
or "cocked" position unless it has been designed to open
automatically.
3.
Adjust the fifth-wheel travel trailer pin to the proper height by
raising or lowering the landing gear.
4.
Lower the tailgate, if applicable.
5.
Back the truck so the hitch encircles the fifth-wheel/travel trailer
pin. You may need to adjust the trailer pin height to be even with
or slightly below the coupler.
6.
A gentle contact of the hitch saddle jaws against the pin will
cause the mechanism to close.
7.
Secure the hitch lever as specified by the manufacturer.
8.
Put the truck in drive (DO NOT press on the accelerator) and
'bump' the hitch to make sure it is locked. After which, put the
truck back in park.
9.
Be sure to raise the fifth-wheel landing gear all the way up.
10. Attach the breakaway switch cable to the tow vehicle.
11. Plug the wire harness/connector plug from the tow vehicle to the
fifth wheel.
12. Remove the wheel chocks from the trailer wheels.
Fifth wheel landing gear can be operated manually. The fifth wheel
landing gear must be fully retracted before moving or towing the RV to
prevent damage.
Hitch Pin or
King Pin
5th Wheel Hitch Example
Saddle
Hitch
Lever
5th Wheel Receiver Example
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