Towing A Trailer; Towing A Boat - Airstream Rangeline 2023 Owner's Manual

Towing a Trailer

There are many different laws, including speed limit
restrictions, having to do with trailer towing� Make sure
that your vehicle-trailer combination will be legal for
where you reside and where you'll be driving� A good
source for this information can be the State Attorney
General, State Police, or local authorities�
Before driving with a trailer, check the hitch, breakaway
switch, safety chains, electrical connections, lighting,
and tires� Also, adjust the mirrors to permit an
unobstructed view beyond the rear of the trailer�
If the trailer has brakes using an electric brake
controller, start your vehicle and trailer moving slowly,
and then apply the brakes manually using the brake
controller to be sure the brakes are working properly�
Read and follow the controller manufacturer's
recommendations�
Always secure items in the trailer to prevent load shifts
while driving� While towing a trailer, occasionally check
to be sure the load is secure�
The vehicle and trailer combination is heavier,
therefore limited in acceleration ability, and requires
longer stopping distances� It is more prone to reacting
to side wind gusts and requires more sensitive steering
input� Handling characteristics are different and less
stable than when operating the vehicle without a trailer�
It is important to avoid sudden maneuvers�
If possible, do not brake abruptly, but rather engage the
brake slightly at first to permit the trailer to activate its
brake� Then increase the braking force�
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 tow vehicle in the highest possible
gear� If you are stuck, it is best to tow out the entire rig
together without unhitching�
Despite even 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�
To gain skill and an understanding of the vehicle's
behavior, you should practice turning, stopping, and
2023 Rangeline
backing up in an area free from traffic. We want every
owner to be a safe and courteous driver� A few hours of
towing practice in a large empty parking lot will make
pulling your trailer over the road much easier� Line out
two corners for left and right turns� You may also use
these corners to practice backing and parking�
On slippery pavement, do not use engine drag to
help slow down as this may cause the rear wheels
of the tow vehicle to skid. On icy pavement, drive
slowly and if you feel the tow vehicle skidding,
gently apply the trailer brakes only. This will bring
the tow vehicle and trailer back into a single line.
Chains do not help trailer wheels.

Towing a Boat

While it is possible to tow a boat with your touring
coach, Airstream does not recommend it� If you plan to
pull and launch a boat, use caution when backing down
boat ramps, and do not submerge any part of your
touring coach in water� The slope of some boat ramps
may be lower than others, requiring a portion of the
tow vehicle to be submerged when launching� While
this may be okay for some vehicles, your touring coach
has sensitive electronics that water infiltration would
irreparably damage�
It is imperative that you do not allow any part of
your touring coach to be submerged in water as it
could cause damage to electronics that a warranty
would not cover.
Driving
WARNING
WARNING
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