Tiffin Motorhomes VANLEIGH BEACON Owner's Manual page 261

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THERMo coUPLE — A thermocouple is a device that monitors the pilot flame of a pilot
model propane appliance. If the pilot flame is extinguished the thermocouple causes the
gas valve to shut off the flow of gas to both the pilot flame and the main burner.
TIP oUT — The term used for an area or room in an RV that tips out for additional living
space. The Tip-Out was general-y used in older RVs. Newer RVs mainly use a slide-out.
TIRE RATINGS — The MAXIMUM LOAD that a tire may carry is engraved on the sidewall,
along with a corresponding COLD inflation pressure. A reduction in inflation pressure re-
quires a reduction in load rating. Tire manufacturers publish charts that establish the load
capacity at various inflation pressures.
ToE (WHEEL ALIGNMENT) — Toe is the measure of whether the front of the wheels
(looking down from the top) are closer (toe-in) or farther (toe-out) than the back of the
wheels.
ToNGUE WEIGHT, ToNGUE LoAD, VERTIcAL LoAD (TWR/TLR/VLR) — Tongue
Weight, Tongue Load, Vertical Load Rating Different terms for the MAXIMUM VERTICAL
LOAD that can be carried by the hitch UNLOADED.
TRAILER BRAKES — Brakes that are built into the trailer axle systems and are activated
either by electric impulse or by a surge mechanism. The overwhelming majority of RVs
utilize electric trailer brakes that are actuated when the tow vehicle's brakes are operated,
or when a brake controller is manually activated. Surge brakes utilize a mechanism that is
positioned at the coupler, that detects when the tow vehicle is slowing or stopping, and
activates the trailer brakes via a hydraulic system (typically used on boats).
TRAVEL TRAILER (TT) — Also referred to as "conventional trailers," these types of rigs
have an A-frame and coupler and are attached to a ball mount on the tow vehicle. Travel
trailers are available with one, two or three axles. Depending upon tow ratings, conventional
trailers can be towed by trucks, cars or sport-utility vehicles.
UMBILIcAL coRD — Wiring harness which connects the trailer to the tow vehicle during
transport. The umbilical cord supplies the trailer with DC power for charging the batter-
ies and operating DC equipment. It also operates the trailer brakes and signal lights. (Also
referred to as the 7-way power cord.)
UNDERBELLY — The RV's under-floor surface, which is protected by a weatherproofed
material.
UTQGL (UNIFoRM TIRE QUALITY GRADE LABELING) — A program that is directed
by the government to provide consumers with information about three characteristics of
the tire: tread wear, traction and temperature. Following government prescribed test pro-
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