Brake Controller - Airstream TOMMY BAHAMA INTERSTATE 19 2024 Owner's Manual

will need longer to accelerate� You must also allow for
the length of the trailer when returning to the right hand
lane� On a two-lane road cars may be lining up behind
you because you are traveling at a lower speed� It is
both courteous and sensible to signal and pull over at
the earliest safe opportunity and let them pass�
Take into consideration that when towing a trailer,
the handling characteristics are different and
less stable from those with operating the vehicle
without a trailer. It is important to avoid sudden
maneuvers. Sudden maneuvers may lead to loss of
control over the vehicle-trailer combination.

Brake Controller

The brake controller (if so equipped) is activated
when you apply the brakes of the tow vehicle� Your
tow vehicle brakes will automatically apply the trailer
brakes first when properly adjusted. This will help keep
your tow vehicle and trailer in a straight line and make
you stop as if you were driving the tow vehicle alone� If
swaying or swerving should occur, briefly operating the
controller separate from the vehicle brakes may help
correct the situation� Practice this maneuver on a clear
highway� Do not wait for an emergency and then grope
for the controller�
When towing a trailer, you might encounter a
temporary cooling system overload during severe
conditions such as hot days when pulling on a long
uphill grade, when slowing down after higher speed
driving, or driving long idle periods in traffic jams. If
the hot indicator light comes on, or the temperature
gauge indicates overheating and you have your AC
turned on, turn it off� Pull over in a safe place and put
on your emergency brake� Don't turn off the engine�
Increase the engine idle speed� Lift the engine hood
and check for fluid leaks at the radiator overflow outlet.
Check to see that all drive belts are intact and the fan
is turning. If you have a problem have it fixed at the
next opportunity� If there is no problem the light should
go off or temperature should come down within one
minute� Proceed on the highway a little slower� Ten
minutes later resume normal driving�
NOTE
If the transmission continually shifts between
gears on inclines, manually shift to a lower gear.
A lower gear and reduction of speed reduces the
chances of engine overloading and/or overheating.
When going down a long hill, shift into a lower gear
2024 Tommy Bahama Interstate 19
WARNING
and use the engine's braking effect. Avoid riding
the brakes, thus overheating the vehicle and trailer
brakes. If the engine coolant rises to an extremely
high temperature (e.g. coolant temperature needle
approaching the red zone) when the AC is on, turn
off the AC. Engine coolant heat can be additionally
vented by opening the windows, switching the
climate control fan speed to high and setting the
temperature control to the maximum hot position.
Never open a radiator cap when the tow vehicle is
hot. Add coolant when the vehicle is cool.
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.
When going downhill in dry weather, downshift so that
engine compression will slow the whole rig down� Take
dips and depressions in the road slowly and do not
resume normal driving speeds until you are sure that
the trailer wheels are clear of the dip�
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�
CHOCK THE TRAILER WHEELS when stopping on
a hill or slope. Leaving your tow vehicle in gear is
not enough for standstill safety. Do not use trailer
brakes as parking brakes.
Driving
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
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