Airstream 1980 Argosy Owner's Manual page 37

minute. Proceed on the highway a little slower.
Ten minutes later resume normal driving.
Caution: Never open a radiator cap when the
car is hot! Check the car coolant level when the
car is cool.
When going downhill in dry weather, down
shift so that engine compression will slow the
whole rig down. Take dips and depressions in
the road slowly and do not resume normal
driving speeds until you are sure that the trailer
wheels are clear of the dip.
On slippery pavement do not use engine
drag to help slow down as this may cause the
rear wheels of the car to skid. On icy pavement
drive slowly and if you feel the car is skidding,
gently apply the trailer brakes only. This will
bring the car and trailer back into a single line.
Chains do not help trailer wheels.
When driving in mud and sand let the
momentum carry the rig through. Apply power
gently and use as little as possible. Stay in the
tracks of the vehicle ahead and keep the car in
the highest possible gear. If you get stuck it is
best to tow out both car and trailer together
without unhitching.
If you have to tow long distance over bad
roads, the stones and gravel thrown back by
your tires will dent and scratch the aluminum
finish of your trailer. To prevent this, use
masking tape to secure heavy sheets of
cardboard to the lower front end of the trailer.
Despite the best hitch, you will notice that
whenever a large bus or truck overtakes your
rig the displaced air first pushes the trailer rear
slightly to the right and then affects the front. It
may be necessary to steer very slightly,
momentarily, toward the bus or truck, to help
compensate for the sway induced by the
passing vehicle. Do not apply the vehicle
brakes, as this can tend to exaggerate the
situation. You may find, however, that briefly
applying the trailer brakes with your manual
control will help eliminate sway.
When stopping on a hill or slope, leaving your
car in gear is not enough for standstill-safety.
Chock the trailer wheels to be double sure.
Do not use trailer brakes as parking brakes.