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SUN COUNTRY Gooseneck SERIES Owner's Manual

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Utility Trailer
Owner's Manual
^
WARNING
This Owner's Manual contains safety
information and instructions for your
trailer.
You must read this manual before loading
or towing your trailer.
You must follow all safety precautions and
instructions.
Sun Country Trailers
5347 W. Luke Ave.
Glendale, AZ 85301
Gooseneck Trailers
November 2013
1

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Summary of Contents for SUN COUNTRY Gooseneck SERIES

  • Page 1 This Owner’s Manual contains safety information and instructions for your trailer. You must read this manual before loading or towing your trailer. You must follow all safety precautions and instructions. Sun Country Trailers 5347 W. Luke Ave. Glendale, AZ 85301 Gooseneck Trailers November 2013...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1. I .................... 5 ntroductIon 2. S ....................6 afety 2.1 Safety Alert Symbols And Signal Words ............6 2.2 Major Hazards ....................6 2.2.1 I ..............6 mproper IzIng raIler ehIcle 2.2.2 d ......................6 rIVIng 2.2.3 a ................
  • Page 3 Contents 4. c ..............25 ouplIng ehIcle 4.1 Tow Vehicle And Hitch .................. 25 4.1.1 t ....................... 25 raIler nformatIon 4.1.2 t ........................25 ehIcle 4.2 Coupling And Uncoupling The Trailer ............25 4.3 Couple Trailer To Tow Vehicle ..............26 4.3.1 t ...................
  • Page 4 7. B ..............40 reakIng raIler 7.1 Retighten Lugs At First 10, 25 & 50 Miles ........... 40 7.2 Adjust Brakes At First 200 Miles ..............40 7.3 Synchronizing Brake Systems ..............40 8. a ................... 41 cceSSorIeS 8.1 Accessory Battery ..................41 9.

  • Page 5: Introduction

    Introduction 1. I ntroductIon Congratulations on the purchase of your trailer. We believe you will be happy and completely satisfied with your purchase. Our goal is to provide a valued customer a quality trailer at a reasonable price. For your safety, read and understand this manual before operating your trailer.

  • Page 6: Safety

    Safety 2. S afety NOTICE 2.1 S NOTICE - Indicates a situation that could afety lert ymBolS Ignal result in damage to the equipment or other ordS property. An Owner’s Manual that provides general trailer 2.2 m ajor azardS information cannot cover all of the specific details necessary for the proper combination of every trailer, Loss of control of the trailer or trailer/tow vehicle tow vehicle and hitch.

  • Page 7: Itch

    Safety 2.2.4 t overheat, increasing the possibility of a blowout. raIler roperly oupled Itch It is critical that the trailer be securely coupled to the hitch, and that the safety chains and emergency WARNING breakaway brake lanyard are correctly attached. Driving too fast for conditions can result in Uncoupling may result in death or serious injury to you loss of control and cause death or serious...

  • Page 8: Itch

    Safety 2.2.7 m 2.2.5 p atchIng raIler Itch roper afety haInS Safety chains are provided so that control of the trailer DANGER can be maintained if your trailer comes loose from the hitch. Be sure hitch and tow vehicle are rated for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your trailer.

  • Page 9: M 2.2.8 W Ires 2.2.9 I

    Safety WARNING WARNING Inflate tires to pressure stated on the Wheel nuts or bolts are prone to loosen Certification / VIN label. after being first assembled. Death or serious injury can result. Improper tire pressure may cause unstable trailer. Blowout and loss of control may Check wheel nuts or bolts for tightness occur.

  • Page 10: Argo Nappropriate

    Safety 2.2.10 u nSafe IStrIButIon WARNING Improper front/rear load distribution can lead to an Improper tongue weight (load distribution) unstable trailer or poor tow vehicle handling. Poor can result in loss of control of the trailer, trailer stability results from tongue weights that are too leading to death or serious injury.

  • Page 11: Ights

    Safety warranty options. Before making any alteration to the WARNING trailer, contact your dealer or the manufacturer and describe the alteration you are contemplating. Do not transport flammable, explosive, poisonous or other dangerous materials in 2.2.15 t raIler owIng uIde your trailer.

  • Page 12: Uidelines

    Safety as you would do to turn the tow vehicle to the left when Slow down for bumps in the road. moving forward), the rear of the trailer moves to the right. Do not brake while in a curve unless absolutely necessary.

  • Page 13: Our Railer

    Safety 2.2.17 S afety arnIng aBelS raIler...
  • Page 14 Safety WARNING To protect you and others against death or serious injury, all applicable labels shown must be on the trailer and must be legible. If any of these labels are missing or cannot be read, contact your dealer for replacement labels.

  • Page 15: Efects

    National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying Sun Country Trailers If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign.

  • Page 16: Ire S Afety I Nformation

    Tire Safety 3. t 3.1 t afety nformatIon raIler nformatIon Trailer tires may be worn out even though they still This portion of the User’s Manual contains tire safety have plenty of tread left. This is because trailer tires information as required by 49 CFR 575.6. have to carry a lot of weight all the time, even when not in use.

  • Page 17: Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit - Trailer

    Tire Safety after five years, trailer tires are considered worn out overloading and, as a result, abnormal tire flexing and should be replaced, even if they have had minimal occurs. This situation can generate an excessive or no use. This is such a general statement that it amount of heat within the tire.

  • Page 18: Glossary Of Tire Terminology

    Tire Safety Cold inflation pressure: The pressure in the tire 3.3 S tepS etermInIng orrect before you drive. ImIt ehIcle Cord: The strands forming the plies in the tire. Locate the statement, “The combined weight of Cord separation: The parting of cords from adjacent occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX rubber compounds.
  • Page 19 Tire Safety is higher or deeper than the same molding on the other sidewall of the tire or the outward facing sidewall of an Occupant distribution: The distribution of occupants asymmetrical tire that has a particular side that must in a vehicle as specified in the third column of Table I always face outward when mounted on a vehicle.

  • Page 20: Tire Safety - Everything Rides On It

    Tire Safety individual tire that is determined by distributing to each Rim diameter: This means the nominal diameter of axle its share of the curb weight, accessory weight, the bead seat. and normal occupant weight (distributed in accordance with Table I of CRF 49 571.110) and dividing by 2. Rim size designation: This means the rim diameter and width.

  • Page 21: Ire

    Tire Safety Uniform Tire Quality Grading System determine this number based on the vehicle’s design • Fundamental characteristics of tires load limit, that is, the greatest amount of weight a • Tire safety tips. vehicle can safely carry and the vehicle’s tire size. The •...

  • Page 22: S Ize

    Tire Safety are what you will need to add. wheels so that they are positioned correctly relative to At a service station, add the missing pounds of air the vehicle’s frame. This adjustment maximizes the pressure to each tire that is under inflated. life of your tires.

  • Page 23: Utqgs Information

    Tire Safety Numbers of 70 or lower indicate a short sidewall for improved steering response and better overall Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure: This handling on dry pavement. number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under normal driving R: The “R”...

  • Page 24: Tire Safety Tips

    Tire Safety ST: An “ST” is an indication the tire is for trailer use only. Max. Load Dual kg (lbs) at kPa (psi) Cold: This information indicates the maximum load and tire pressure when the tire is used as a dual, that is, when four tires are put on each rear axle (a total of six or more tires on the vehicle).

  • Page 25: Tow Vehicle And Hitch

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle 4. c axle, wheel, or tire rating. Sometimes the tire or wheel ouplIng ehIcle rating is lower than the axle manufacturers rating, and Follow all of the safety precautions and instructions in will then determine GAWR. this manual to ensure safety of persons, cargo, and satisfactory life of the trailer.

  • Page 26: Couple Trailer To Tow Vehicle

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle Hitch: The connecting mechanism including the ball WARNING support platform and ball and those components that extend and are attached to the towing vehicle, including An improperly coupled trailer can result in bumpers intended to serve as hitches. death or serious injury.

  • Page 27: Efore Oupling Railer Ow Ehicle

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle The tow vehicle, ball and support must have a rated WARNING towing capacity equal to or greater than the trailer gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). A loose gooseneck ball can result in uncoupling, leading to death or serious It is essential that the ball be the same size as the injury.

  • Page 28: Nd Ow

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle NOTICE WARNING The jack can be damaged by overloading. Improper rigging of the safety chains can Do not use jack to raise the tow vehicle result in loss of control of the trailer and more than 1 inch. tow vehicle, leading to death or serious injury, if the trailer uncouples from the tow If the receiver cannot be secured to the ball, do not...

  • Page 29: T Est E Lectric B Reakaway B Rakes

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle to a safety chain, gooseneck ball or its support. This Hydraulic tilt trailers may use the hoist battery to would keep the breakaway brake system from operating provide power to the breakaway brakes. If your trailer when it is needed.

  • Page 30: Ing In

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle 4.3.2 t in permanent brake failure. raIler A king pin connects to a fifth wheel that is installed in the bed of the tow vehicle. WARNING Failure to replace the pullpin can result in ineffective brakes, leading to loss of control, serious injury or death.

  • Page 31: Ifth V

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle WARNING WARNING A worn, cracked or corroded king pin can No one must be under the trailer or king fail while towing, and may result in death pin during coupling. or serious injury. Death or serious injury can occur if the Before coupling trailer, inspect the king pin trailer drops.

  • Page 32: Able Ttach Reakaway Rake Anyard

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle 4.3.2.5 a ttach reakaway rake anyard WARNING If the king pin or fifth wheel fails, a properly connected An improperly coupled fifth wheel can and working breakaway brake system will apply the come loose, resulting in death or serious trailer brakes.

  • Page 33: Tongue Weight

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle these instructions, contact your dealer for assistance. Do not tow the trailer with the breakaway brake system ON because the brakes will overheat which can result Normally, dump trailers use the hoist battery to provide in permanent brake failure. power to the breakaway brakes.

  • Page 34: Adjust Gooseneck Height

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle In addition to tow vehicle control, tongue weight is scale. Get a “ticket”, which lists the trailer’s axle weight. necessary to insure that the trailer axle(s) do not Simply subtract the axle weight from the total weight to exceed their Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
  • Page 35 Coupling To Tow Vehicle NEVER use the set screw or any other device as a replacement for the load bearing pin (B). If equipped, install retaining pin (C) on load bearing pin (B). Tighten setscrews (A) to the torque specified by the manufacturer.

  • Page 36: Loading Trailer

    Loading And Unloading 5. l oadIng nloadIng WARNING Improper trailer loading causes many accidents and Do not transport people on your trailer. deaths. To safely load a trailer, you must consider: Besides putting their lives at risk, the Overall load weight. •...

  • Page 37: Ilt Ilt

    Loading And Unloading Remove ramps from storage position and secure WARNING to rear of trailer. Adjust ramp position to align with equipment tires or tracks. Loading a pivoting-deck trailer before retracting the deck catch pin can crack the catch pin, which can cause loss of cargo WARNING or loss of control of the trailer.

  • Page 38: Unload Trailer

    Loading And Unloading 5.1.3.2 h Release deck latch pin to pivot trailer deck for ydraulIc raIler unloading. Couple the trailer to the tow vehicle. WARNING WARNING Unloading a pivoting-deck trailer before Trailer must be coupled to tow vehicle retracting the deck catch pin can crack the before loading trailer.

  • Page 39: Hydraulic Components

    Pre-Tow Checklist 6. p before operating the tilt deck. hecklISt Locate the tilt deck controller. Position yourself in a safe location clear of the tilt deck. 6.1 p Press and hold button to raise the tilt deck. Release hecklISt the button when the rear of the tilt deck touches the Before towing, double-check all of these items: ground.

  • Page 40: Retighten Lugs At First 10, 25 & 50 Miles

    Breaking In A New Trailer 7. B reakIng raIler WARNING If trailer and tow vehicle brakes do not 7.1 r 10, 25 & 50 etIghten IrSt work properly together, death or serious IleS injury can occur. Wheel lugs can shift and settle quickly after being first Road test the brakes in a safe area at no assembled, and must be checked after the first 10, 25 more than 30 m.p.h.

  • Page 41: A Ccessories

    Accessories 8. a cceSSorIeS This chapter provides some basic information for the safe operation of accessories. You must read and follow these instructions before using the accessory. If you are uncertain whether you have all of the instructions, contact your dealer before operating the accessory.

  • Page 42: Inspection, Service & Maintenance Summary Charts

    Inspection, Service And Maintenance 9. I nSpectIon erVIce aIntenance 9.1 I & m nSpectIon erVIce aIntenance ummary hartS You must inspect, maintain and service your trailer regularly to insure safe and reliable operation. If you cannot or are unsure how to perform the items listed here, have your dealer do them. Note: In addition to this manual, also check the relevant component manufacturer’s manual.
  • Page 43 Inspection, Service And Maintenance Inspection And Service Every Month Item Inspection / Service Manual Section Reference Lubrication Lubricate tilt deck pivot points (if Section 9. equipped). Lubricate hydraulic cylinder ends (if Section 9. equipped). Inspection and Service Every 6 Months or 6,000 Miles Item Inspection/Service Manual Section Reference...
  • Page 44 Inspection, Service And Maintenance Inspection And Service Every Year or 12,000 Miles Item Inspection/Service Manual Section Reference Brakes, all types Check for scoring and wear. Replace Section 9. Shoes and Drums per manufacturer’s specifications. • See Brake Mfr’s Manual Jack, Drop-leg (if equipped) Grease gears at top.

  • Page 45: Inspection And Service Instructions

    Inspection, Service And Maintenance 9.2 I nSpectIon erVIce nStructIonS WARNING Broken or damaged fasteners can cause WARNING injury or damage to trailer and contents. Worn or broken suspension parts can cause loss of control and injury may result. Inspect for, and repair all damaged parts at least once a year.

  • Page 46: S Hoes

    Inspection, Service And Maintenance is “hard braked” from a rearward direction. Trailer battery to operate the breakaway brakes. disc brakes are self-adjusting and do not need to be periodically adjusted. Using pads or shoes without enough brake lining material can result in brake damage, create excessive heat and potentially cause CAUTION the loss of braking capacity.

  • Page 47: Ignals

    Inspection, Service And Maintenance Before each tow, check all trailer lights for proper Check with your dealer for the type of fluid used in the operation. brake system. WARNING WARNING To avoid risk of collisions, all lights must Use only fresh fluid from a sealed work.

  • Page 48: Ug Uts

    Inspection, Service And Maintenance label. Tire pressure must be checked while the tire Worn, damaged or under-inflated tires can is cold. Do not check tire pressure immediately after cause loss of control, injury and damage. towing the trailer. Allow at least three hours for the tires to cool, if the trailer has been towed for as much as Check tires before each tow.
  • Page 49 Inspection, Service And Maintenance wheels from coming loose. Tighten each lug nut or bolt in the order shown in the following figure. Use a calibrated torque wrench to tighten the fasteners. Verify that wheel studs are free of contaminates such as paint or grease, which may result in inaccurate torque readings.

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