Four winns 278 VISTA Owner's Manual page 197

2. Open the coupler latch fully to allow the ball latch
to rotate open. Note: You will have to remove the
safety pin from the coupler latch hole to fully
extend the coupler latch. The coupler latch will
remain up to indicate that it is not yet attached to
the ball. See Figure S7.
3. Lower trailer tongue until ball is seated or rests in
ball socket. Ensure the ball latch is in the correct
position to retain the hitch ball.
4. Close coupler latch by pushing latch down until
latch engages properly.
The coupler latch should close and secure freely with
finger pressure when ball is properly seated in the ball
socket. If the coupler latch does not close freely or
does not engage properly, do not tow trailer. DO NOT
force the coupler latch into closed position, otherwise
damage could result. Inspect actuator for bent parts or
cause of improper operation.
NOTICE
Keep the coupler clean and lubricated to
prevent damage to the coupler.
5. Make sure the actuator is secure. If unsure, extend
the trailer tongue jack to the ground and lift (with
the jack) the car and trailer combination approxi-
mately 2" to 4". If the ball does not disengage and
remains secured, the actuator is latched properly.
NOTICE
To prevent back injury, DO NOT PHYSICALLY
LIFT the trailer tongue when loaded.
6. The safety pin, provided with the trailer, or a
padlock must be inserted completely in the coupler
latch hole. This ensures the coupler's locking latch
remains in the locked position during towing of the
trailer. Use of a padlock will help to deter theft.
7. Connect actuator break-away cable S-hook se-
curely to one of the tow vehicle hitch's safety chain
connection points. Do not connect S-hook to the
safety cables or chains. The cable should hang
clear of trailer tongue and be long enough to permit
short radius turns without pulling the break-away
cable. DO NOT loop the break-away cable around
a bracket and loop it back onto itself.
Trailer Information - Section S
8. If the break-away system is accidently applied
while unhitching, insert a flat-bladed screwdriver
into the slot of the break-away catch hole under
the actuator and pry down to release.
See Figure S13.
Flat-Bladed Screw Driver
Figure S13: Emergency Break-Away System
Manual Release
When resetting the break-away system keep
hands and fingers clear as you reset the
mechanism. Hydraulic pressure held in the
system may cause the assembly to snap back
suddenly.
The break-away system is not designed to
operate if the trailer does not separate com-
pletely from the tow vehicle, or if the trailer
tongue "submarines" and goes beneath the
tow vehicle. DO NOT use break-away cable
as a parking brake.
. Safety chains or cables (depending on which
model you have) are provided and must be used.
Cross the safety chains/cables under the coupling
and attach to the towing vehicle's frame or bum-
per. See Figure S. Always allow slack for turns.
Four Winns provides securement clips for the
safety chain/cable hooks and recommends you
use them. Regulations vary from state to state.
Please check the local laws in your state.
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