Airstream 2005 International Trailer Owner's Manual page 21

AIRSTREAM INTERNATIONAL TRAILER
Steps for Hitching Up
Jack up the trailer hitch until there is clearance for the HITCH BALL to slide under. Remove the safety pin,
slide the locking lever forward and raise. Back the tow vehicle straight back to the hitch. (See Fig. 2). This
can best be accomplished through the use of prearranged 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.
Lower the trailer hitch onto the hitch ball. Then close the locking lever and insert safety pin. (See Fig. 3)
Now raise the trailer and tow vehicle to the full height of the hitch jack (See Fig. 8) and then attach the
LEVELING BARS. (See Fig. 4 & 5) and lever the tension on the bars (see figure 6. Lower the tow vehicle
and trailer (See Fig. 8).
The hitch ball should be level to slightly higher. Readjust leveling bars until this condition
is correct by increasing or decreasing the length the chain engaged in "A" frame saddle
bracket (Figure 5). Short chain raises hitch ball, longer chain lowers it. A level condition
will result in the best balance for towing and steering control as the weight-equalizing hitch
distributes the hitch load.
A low hitch ball increases tail w agging
tendencies by lowering the nose of th e
trailer, thus changing the center of
support for the trailer and reducing
the weight on the four wheels of t he
tow vehicle. With proper hitch
installation and hitching up, the bar
should have a noticeable amount of
the deflection or bending. A little
practice with your rig will teac h
you how far to pull the bar; yo u
may wish to mark the chain
links that match your rig.
A lways choose level ground for
checking correct hookup.
B-7