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5.
OPTIONAL: Place a 5/16" pin or lock in hole shown
To Uncouple:
1.
Block trailer wheels.
2.
Open locking lever. While holding locking lever fully
open, raise trailer off of hitch ball.
NOTE: A 5/16" diameter pin can be used to hold the
locking lever open.
Hitch Coupler Troubleshooting
If the coupler becomes damaged it must be repaired or
replaced before towing. When the coupler is placed on the
ball, the latch should close firmly. Keep the latch
mechanism lightly oiled and clean. Items to check for are
as follows:
1.
Latch does not grasp ball securely:
•
Check the ball size. Make sure the ball and
coupler are the same size.
2.
Latch does not snap into full latch position:
•
Check adjustment. Latch mechanism may be too
tight.
•
Check to see that the coupler housing has not
been damaged, keeping the ball hitch from fitting
completely into the housing as designed.
3.
Keep the tongue blocked up when not in use so the
coupler and mechanism are not in the ground being
exposed to dirt and moisture.
4.
Apply a small amount of an automotive grease to the
ball before hitching coupler to prevent wear of the two
parts during towing.
5.
Make sure the latch safety pin is in position before
towing.
Coupler & Ball Engagement
If the coupler and towing ball resist attempts to make
engagement, do not force latch assembly. Instead, check
the ball diameter to verify that it conforms to Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE) specifications. Standard two-
inch diameter ball should be within the limits of 2.000-
inches to 1.970-inches. Balls larger than 2.000- inches will
not readily fit the coupler. A two-piece coupler ball is not
recommended.
If the coupler becomes damaged it must be repaired or
replaced before towing. When the coupler is placed on the
ball, the latch should close firmly. Keep the latch
mechanism lightly oiled and clean.
Improper engagement of the coupler and ball can cause
damage if the vehicles separate in transit, thus, caution
must be exercised to insure a secure hook-up. Lower the
coupler onto the ball with the coupler latch in the vertical
position. Continue to lower the trailer tongue until the jack
clears the ground, then flip the coupler latch to its locked
Hotsy Trailer 3500 Operator's Manual 9.808-357.0 - B
Important Trailer Safety Information
(horizontal) position. At this point visually observe that the
ball is fully engaged in the ball hitch. An even better check
to make sure the two are fully engaged is to raise the
tongue of the trailer again using the jack. Raise until the
ball hitch connection starts to raise the rear of the tow
vehicle. If the connection was not properly made, the ball
and socket will separate as the tongue of the trailer is
raised.
Safety Chains
Listed in the chart below are the different class sizes of
safety chains and the rated load each chain must be
capable of withstanding. Your trailer is equipped with
safety chains that meet the requirements of D.O.T Regula-
tion 393.70
.
TRAILER
TRAILER WEIGHT
CLASS
GVWR IN LBS.
I
to 2,000
II
2,000 to 3,500
III
3,500 to 5,000
IV
5,000 to 7,000
WARNING: Failure to properly attach safety chains
between the trailer and tow vehicle can result in a
runaway trailer.
AVERTISSEMENT:
Le non-respect de fixer
correcteme nt les chaînes de sécurité entre la
remorque et le véhicule remorqueur peut mener à
l'emballement de la remorque.
WARNING: To avoid accidents, before trailering:
AVERTISSEMENT: Pour éviter les accidents avant de
procéder à un remorquage
•
Hitch only to ball size marked on coupling.
•
Ball clamp must capture ball and lever or hand
wheel is fully clamped.
•
Cross safety chains under coupling.
•
Allow only enough slack for turns.
Bottom View
MINIMUM BRAKING
STRENGTH IN LBS.
2,000
3,500
5,000
7,600
7
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