Backing Up With Surge Brakes - Four winns SL series Owner's Manual

Figure S16: Crossing the Safety Cables
To re duce the risk of break-away acci dents,
be sure cou pler is seat ed and safe ty cables
are cris s cros sed be fore trail er ing.
10. Retract jack fully and place in trailering/horizon-
tal posi tion.
11. Check for proper tow vehicle-trailer hookup. The
tow vehicle and trailer should be level with a
positive tongue load. Four Winns® trailers are
designed with tongue weights between 5% and
10% of the total weight of the boat, fuel, gear
and trailer. The trailer should be close to level. If
unsure of tongue load and trailer position, consult
your Four Winns dealer before proceeding.
Be sure the tow vehicle and trailer are level
and have a positive tongue load. This will
allow the brake actuators to function prop-
erly on trailer models having such braking
systems.
Be sure to read the manufacturer's literature, included
in the owner's packet, before towing your Four
Winns® boat and trailer.
B. Backing Up With Surge Brakes
Follow the steps listed above for hitching the trailer
before backing up.
1. Before backing up a slope or through soft ground,
pull the trailer forward slightly to assure the actuator
socket is in the fully for ward position.
2. Back the trailer up.
Trailer Information - Section S
Avoid sharp turns. This could bend, cre ate
ex tre me stress or frac ture ei ther the actu ator
or trailer tongue.
NOTICE
Be sure to check for obsta cles or per sons be-
hind the trailer before backing up. Also, adjust
your mir rors for clear view of the area behind
the trailer.
3. If the trailer is to be un coupled from the tow
vehicle after back ing, block all trailer wheels and
pull forward slightly to take strain off the actua-
tor. Uncouple the actuator by lifting the release
handle and raise the trailer tongue with the jack.
For most trailering conditions, the brake actuator will
allow you to back up normally using a 5-wire harness
connector. However, if the coupler is not wired or if
there is a failure the trailer can still be backed up by
using the manual brake lockout.
To use your lockout, check that no force is being ap-
plied to the actuator. This is achieved by positioning
the towing vehicle and the trailer on a flat service, or
with the trailer downhill from the tow vehicle. Set the
vehicle's parking brake.
Insert a 5" x 7/16" bolt or screwdriver into the reverse
lockout position hole (upper hole on side of actuator).
This will then block movement of the actuator. See
Figure S17. Reverse lockout option must only be
used when moving in reverse and when braking is
not required. Immediately remove bolt or screwdriver
prior to towing after backing up is completed.
NOTICE
The reverse lockout position hole and actua-
tor hole may not be in alignment. You may
have to block the trailer's wheels and pull
the trailer forward enough so the holes are
aligned and a bolt or screwdriver may be
inserted completely into the reverse lockout
position holes.
Owner's Manual Page 141