Airstream Excella 1975 Owner's Manual page 34

Steps for Hitching Up
1. Jack up the trailer hitch until there is
clearance for the hitch ball to slide under,
remove safety pin and raise the locking lever.
2. Back the car straight back to the hitch.
This can best be accomplished through the
use of pre-arranged hand signals with the help
of another person, but if you are hitching up
by yourself we recommend the use of a
hook-up view mirror.
3. Lower the trailer hitch onto the hitch ball;
then close the locking lever and insert safety
pin.
4. Now raise the trailer and car to the full
height of the hitch jack and then attach the
leveling bars. Lower the car and trailer. The
hitch ball should be level to slightly higher
(see photo). Readjust leveling bars until this
condition is correct. This will result in the
best balance for towing and steering control
as the weight equalizing hitch distributes the
hitch load. Approximately 1/3 of the load is
distributed onto the front wheels of the tow
vehicle, 1/3 onto the rear wheels of the tow
vehicle and 1/3 onto the trailer axle assembly.
With proper hitch installation and hitching up
the bar should have a noticeable amount of
deflection or bending (see photo 4.f.). A little
practice with your rig will teach you how far
to pull up the bar, and you may wish to mark
the chain links that match your rig. Always
choose level ground for checking correct
hook-up. For further information see hitch
manufacturers' literature.
Note: If your car is equipped with adjustable
load leveling air shocks, you must load the car
first with typical luggage and passengers and
bring it back to level. Then attach the trailer
Power Jack
Break Away
Switch
Locking Lever
Safety Pin
Coupler
Safety Chains
Dolly Wheel
Break Away
Switch Cable
Electrical
Connector
Leveling Bars
Hitching Up Equipment
and adjust the load leveling bars. Otherwise
the air shocks on your car will overload the
rear wheels.
The hitch ball on your car should be installed
at a height of 19-1/2" to the top of the hitch
ball, measured when the car is loaded.
A low hitch ball increases tailwagging tenden¬
cies by lowering the nose of the trailer thus
changing the center of support for the trailer
and reducing the weight on the front wheels
of the car.
5. Plug in the electrical connector cord and
check running, directional, and brake lights.
The electrical connector cord should be com-
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