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2. Bring both handles together. Both handles should
ride on the inner gear.
3. Open (to approximately 110°) and close handles to
ratchet. Leave in closed position to maintain pres-
sure on line.
S - 3
OPERATION
A. Hitching Trailer
Before towing, the trailer must be properly hitched to the
tow vehicle.
To ensure proper engagement of the actuator’s
coupler to the tow ball, DO NOT use a multi-
piece ball, an incorrectly sized ball, or a worn/
damaged ball. Four Winns® Vista trailers
require a two and five-sixteenth inch (2 5/
16”) diameter tow ball.
1. Position actuator ball socket above ball hitch.
2. Lift up on release handle fully (approximately 30
for a trailer with brake actuator and coupler assem-
bly) to allow the ball latch to rotate open. The handle
will remain up to indicate that it is not yet attached
to the ball. See Figure S6.
3. Lower trailer tongue until ball is seated or rests in
ball socket.
4. Close release handle. If it is a trailer with brake
actuator and coupler assembly the handle will snap
to its closed position when properly seated.
The release handle will close freely with finger pressure
when ball is properly seated in socket. If the handle
does not close freely or does not snap to its closed
position properly, do not tow trailer. DO NOT force
handle into closed position, otherwise damage could re-
sult. Inspect actuator for bent parts or cause of improp-
er operation.
NOTICE
Keep the coupler clean and lubricated to pre-
vent damage to the coupler.
Vista 248/268 Owner’s Manual
03/00
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 approximately
2" to 4". If the ball does not disengage and remains
secured, the actuator is latched properly.
To prevent back injury, DO NOT PHYSICALLY
LIFT the trailer tongue when loaded.
6. The locking pin, provided with the trailer, or a pad-
lock must be inserted in the locking lever hole. This
ensures the the coupler’s locking lever remains in
the locked position during towing of the trailer. Use
of a padlock will help to deter theft.
7. Connect break-away cable S-hook securely to one
of the tow vehicle hitch’s safety chain connection
points. The cable should hang clear of trailer tongue
and be long enough to permit short radius turns with-
out pulling break-away cable forward. DO NOT loop
the break-away cable around a bracket and loop it
back onto itself.
8. Make sure the break-away lever is fully rotated to
the rear with the break-away catch pin securely lo-
cated under the break-away spring. The break-
o
away catch pin will be in the lever’s uppermost
notch. See Figure S12.
Figure S12: Break-away Cable
The Break-away system is not designed to op-
erate if the trailer does not separate completely
from the tow vehicle, or if the trailer tongue
“submarines” and goes beneath the tow ve-
hicle. DO NOT use break-away cable as a park-
ing brake.
NOTICE
Section S
Page 8
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