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OHIOSTEEL Utility Trailer Owner's Manual

Ohio steel utility trailer owner's manual
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Utility Trailer
Owner's Manual
^
WARNING
This Owner's Manual contains safety
information and instructions for your
trailer.
You must read this manual before loading
or towing your trailer.
You must follow all safety precautions and
instructions.
Ohio Steel Industries
2575 Ferris Road
Columbus, Ohio 43224
Bumper Pull Trailers
April 2011
1

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Summary of Contents for OHIOSTEEL Utility Trailer

  • Page 1 Utility Trailer Owner’s Manual WARNING This Owner’s Manual contains safety information and instructions for your trailer. You must read this manual before loading or towing your trailer. You must follow all safety precautions and instructions. Ohio Steel Industries 2575 Ferris Road...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1. Introduction ................... 5 2. Safety ....................6 2.1 Safety Alert Symbols And Signal Words ............6 2.2 Major Hazards ....................6 2.2.1 Improper Sizing Of Trailer To Tow Vehicle ..............6 2.2.2 Driving Too Fast ......................6 2.2.3 Adjust Driving When Towing Trailer ................7 2.2.4 Trailer Not Properly Coupled To Hitch ................
  • Page 3 Contents 4. Coupling To Tow Vehicle ..............26 4.1 Tow Vehicle And Hitch ...................26 4.1.1 Trailer Information ...................... 26 4.1.2 Tow Vehicle ......................... 26 4.2 Coupling And Uncoupling The Trailer ............26 4.3 Couple Trailer To Tow Vehicle ..............27 4.3.1 Ball Hitch Coupler....................... 27 4.3.1.1 Before Coupling Trailer To Tow Vehicle ............
  • Page 4 7. Breaking In A New Trailer ..............41 7.1 Retighten Lugs At First 10, 25 & 50 Miles ............41 7.2 Adjust Brake At First 200 Miles ..............41 7.3 Synchronizing Brake Systems ..............41 8. Accessories ..................42 8.1 Accessory Battery ..................42 9.

  • Page 5: Introduction

    Introduction 1. Introduction Congratulations on the purchase of your trailer. We believe you will be happy and completely satisfi ed with your purchase. Our goal is to provide a valued customer a quality trailer at a reasonable price. For your safety, read and understand this manual before operating your trailer.

  • Page 6: Safety

    Safety 2. Safety NOTICE 2.1 Safety Alert Symbols And Signal NOTICE - Indicates a situation that could result in damage to the equipment or other Words property. An Owner’s Manual that provides general trailer 2.2 Major Hazards information cannot cover all of the specifi c details necessary for the proper combination of every trailer, Loss of control of the trailer or trailer/tow vehicle tow vehicle and hitch.

  • Page 7: Adjust Driving When Towing Trailer

    Safety the possibility for loss of control. Also your tires may 2.2.4 Trailer Not Properly Coupled To Hitch overheat, increasing the possibility of a blowout. It is critical that the trailer be securely coupled to the hitch, and that the safety chains and emergency breakaway brake lanyard are correctly attached.

  • Page 8: Proper Use Of Safety Chains

    Safety 2.2.7 Matching Trailer And Hitch 2.2.5 Proper Use Of Safety Chains Safety chains are provided so that control of the DANGER trailer can be maintained if your trailer comes loose from the hitch. Be sure hitch and tow vehicle are rated for the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your trailer.

  • Page 9: Improper Loading

    Safety WARNING WARNING Infl ate tires to pressure stated on the Wheel nuts or bolts are prone to loosen Certifi cation / VIN label. after being fi rst assembled. Death or serious injury can result. Improper tire pressure may cause unstable trailer.

  • Page 10: Unsafe Load Distribution

    Safety 2.2.10 Unsafe Load Distribution WARNING Improper front/rear load distribution can lead to an Improper tongue weight (load distribution) unstable trailer or poor tow vehicle handling. Poor can result in loss of control of the trailer, trailer stability results from tongue weights that are leading to death or serious injury.

  • Page 11: Inoperable Brakes Or Lights

    Safety 2.2.14 Trailer Modifi cations WARNING Modifi cation of the trailer structure or alteration of Do not transport fl ammable, explosive, your trailer can make the trailer unsafe and will void poisonous or other dangerous materials all warranty options. Before making any alteration to on your trailer.

  • Page 12: Safe Trailer Towing Guidelines

    Safety Some drivers place their hands at the bottom of The tires are not visibly low on pressure. • the steering wheel, and while the tow vehicle is in The cargo is secure and in good condition. • reverse, “think” of the hands as being on the top of the wheel.

  • Page 13: Safety Warning Labels On Your Trailer

    Safety 2.2.17 Safety Warning Labels On Your Trailer Depending on trailer confi guration, your trailer may not be equipped with all safety labels shown.
  • Page 14 Safety...
  • Page 15 Safety WARNING To protect you and others against death or serious injury, all applicable labels shown must be on the trailer and must be legible. If any of these labels are missing or cannot be read, contact your dealer for replacement labels.

  • Page 16: Reporting Safety Defects

    National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying Ohio Steel Industries If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it fi nds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign.

  • Page 17: Tire Safety Information

    Tire Safety 3. Tire Safety Information 3.1 Trailer Tire Information Trailer tires may be worn out even though they still have This portion of the User’s Manual contains tire safety plenty of tread left. This is because trailer tires have to information as required by 49 CFR 575.6.

  • Page 18: Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit - Trailer

    Tire Safety out and should be replaced, even if they have had occurs. This situation can generate an excessive minimal or no use. This is such a general statement amount of heat within the tire. Excessive heat may that it may not apply in all cases. It is best to have lead to tire failure.

  • Page 19: Steps For Determining Correct Load Limit - Tow Vehicle

    Tire Safety 3.3 Steps For Determining Correct Cold infl ation pressure: The pressure in the tire before you drive. Load Limit - Tow Vehicle Cord: The strands forming the plies in the tire. Locate the statement, “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX Cord separation: The parting of cords from adjacent lbs.,”...

  • Page 20: Tire Safety

    Tire Safety sidewall of the tire or the outward facing sidewall of an Occupant distribution: The distribution of occupants asymmetrical tire that has a particular side that must in a vehicle as specifi ed in the third column of Table I of always face outward when mounted on a vehicle.

  • Page 21: Tire Safety - Everything Rides On It

    Tire Safety Rim diameter: This means the nominal diameter of axle its share of the curb weight, accessory weight, and the bead seat. normal occupant weight (distributed in accordance with Table I of CRF 49 571.110) and dividing by 2. Rim size designation: This means the rim diameter and width.

  • Page 22: Safety First- Basic Tire Maintenance

    Tire Safety Fundamental characteristics of tires load limit, that is, the greatest amount of weight a • Tire safety tips. vehicle can safely carry and the vehicle’s tire size. • The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is referred Use this information to make tire safety a regular part to as the “recommended cold infl...

  • Page 23: Tire Size

    Tire Safety At a service station, add the missing pounds of air correctly relative to the vehicle’s frame. This pressure to each tire that is under infl ated. adjustment maximizes the life of your tires. These Check all the tires to make sure they have the adjustments require special equipment and should be same air pressure except in cases in which the performed by a qualifi...

  • Page 24: Utqgs Information

    Tire Safety for improved steering response and better overall Maximum Permissible Infl ation Pressure: This handling on dry pavement. number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under normal driving R: The “R” stands for radial. Radial ply construction conditions.

  • Page 25: Tire Safety Tips

    Tire Safety ST: An “ST” is an indication the tire is for trailer use only. Max. Load Dual kg (lbs) at kPa (psi) Cold: This information indicates the maximum load and tire pressure when the tire is used as a dual, that is, when four tires are put on each rear axle (a total of six or more tires on the vehicle).

  • Page 26: Coupling To Tow Vehicle

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle 4. Coupling To Tow Vehicle the lowest of axle, wheel, or tire rating. Sometimes the tire or wheel rating is lower than the axle Follow all of the safety precautions and instructions in manufacturers rating, and will then determine GAWR. this manual to ensure safety of persons, cargo, and satisfactory life of the trailer.

  • Page 27: Couple Trailer To Tow Vehicle

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle Hitch: The connecting mechanism including the ball WARNING support platform and ball and those components that extend and are attached to the towing vehicle, An improperly coupled trailer can result in including bumpers intended to serve as hitches. death or serious injury.

  • Page 28: Before Coupling Trailer To Tow Vehicle

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle 4.3.1.1 Before Coupling Trailer To Tow Vehicle Raise the bottom surface of the coupler to be above the top of the hitch ball. Be sure the size and rating of hitch ball match the size and rating of the coupler. Hitch balls and 4.3.1.2 P REPARE OUPLER...

  • Page 29: Trailer With Ring And Pintle Coupler

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle Lower the trailer so that its entire tongue weight is WARNING held by the hitch, and continue retracting the jack to its fully retraced position. Ring-to-pintle mismatch can result in uncoupling, leading to death or serious injury.

  • Page 30: Couple Trailer To Tow Vehicle

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle In the open position, the ring is able to drop fully Fully retract jack drop leg if equipped. onto the pintle. Go to Section 4.3.3 “Connect Safety Chains” to continue connecting trailer to tow vehicle. 4.3.3 Connect Safety Chains Visually inspect the safety chains and hooks for wear or damage.

  • Page 31: Connect Electrical Cable

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle hydraulic actuator will engage or the electric brake WARNING pullpin will be pulled out before all of the slack in the safety chains is taken up. Do not connect the lanyard Improper rigging of the safety chains can to a safety chain, hitch ball or hitch ball assembly.

  • Page 32: Test Surge Brakes (If Equipped)

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle Most trailers are setup to charge the battery from WARNING the tow vehicle. If the electrical system on your tow vehicle does not provide power to the battery, Failure to replace the pullpin can result you must periodically charge the battery with a in ineffective brakes, leading to loss of commercial battery charger to keep the battery control, serious injury or death.

  • Page 33: Test Surge Breakaway System

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle The board should be 4 feet or longer so it will extend Park the trailer on a fi rm level surface and block several feet above the actuator. Keep the end of the trailer tires. board a few inches off the ground, and position it to Disconnect electrical connector.

  • Page 34: Checking Tongue Weight

    Coupling To Tow Vehicle The numbers quoted are for example purposes only 4.6 Adjust Hitch Height (If Equipped) and should be tailored to the specifi c trailer. The height of the hitch on the trailer must be adjusted so that the trailer, when loaded to rated capacity, is For questions regarding the actual percent of tongue level while connected to the tow vehicle.
  • Page 35 Coupling To Tow Vehicle WARNING Used lock nuts are prone to loosen, resulting in the hitch separating from the trailer, which can lead to death or serious injury. NEVER re-use a lock nut. Use new lock nuts each time the hitch height is adjusted.

  • Page 36: Loading And Unloading

    Loading And Unloading 5. L OADING NLOADING WARNING Improper trailer loading causes many accidents and Do not transport people on your trailer. deaths. To safely load a trailer, you must consider: Besides putting their lives at risk, the Overall load weight. •...

  • Page 37: Loading A Tilt Deck Trailer

    Loading And Unloading CAUTION WARNING Use a safe lifting procedure to avoid injury Loading a pivoting-deck trailer before when handling ramps. retracting the deck catch pin can crack the catch pin, which can cause loss of cargo Remove ramps from storage position and secure or loss of control of the trailer.

  • Page 38: Hydraulic Tilt Trailer

    Loading And Unloading 5.1.3.2 Hydraulic Tilt Trailer Release deck latch pin to pivot trailer deck for unloading. Couple the trailer to the tow vehicle. WARNING WARNING Unloading a pivoting-deck trailer before Trailer must be coupled to tow vehicle retracting the deck catch pin can crack the before loading trailer.

  • Page 39: Hydraulic Components

    Loading And Unloading procedure before operating the tilt deck. Locate the tilt deck controller. Position yourself in a safe location clear of the tilt deck. Press and hold button to raise the tilt deck. Release the button when the rear of the tilt deck touches the ground.

  • Page 40: Pre-Tow Checklist

    Pre-Tow Checklist 6. Pre-Tow Checklist 6.1 Pre-Tow Checklist Before towing, double-check all of these items: Tires, wheels and lug nuts. See “Breaking In A • New Trailer” section of this manual. Tire Pressure. Infl ate tires on trailer and tow •...

  • Page 41: Breaking In A New Trailer

    Breaking In A New Trailer 7. Breaking In A New Trailer WARNING If trailer and tow vehicle brakes do not 7.1 Retighten Lugs At First 10, 25 & 50 work properly together, death or serious Miles injury can occur. Wheel lugs can shift and settle quickly after being fi rst Road test the brakes in a safe area at no assembled, and must be checked after the fi...

  • Page 42: Accessories

    Accessories 8. Accessories This section provides some basic information for the safe operation of accessories. You must read and follow these instructions before using the accessory. If you are uncertain whether you have all of the instructions, contact your dealer before operating the accessory.

  • Page 43: Inspection, Service And Maintenance

    Inspection, Service And Maintenance 9. Inspection, Service And Maintenance 9.1 Inspection, Service & Maintenance Summary Charts You must inspect, maintain and service your trailer regularly to insure safe and reliable operation. If you cannot or are unsure how to perform the items listed here, have your dealer do them. Note: In addition to this manual, also check the relevant component manufacturer’s manual.
  • Page 44 Inspection, Service And Maintenance Inspection And Service Every Month Item Inspection / Service Manual Section Reference Lubrication Lubricate tilt deck pivot points (if Section 9. equipped). Lubricate hydraulic cylinder ends (if Section 9. equipped). Inspection and Service Every 6 Months or 6,000 Miles Item Inspection/Service Manual Section Reference...
  • Page 45 Inspection, Service And Maintenance Inspection And Service Every Year or 12,000 Miles Item Inspection/Service Manual Section Reference Brakes, all types Check for scoring and wear. Replace Section 9. Shoes and Drums per manufacturer’s specifi cations. • See Brake Mfr’s Manual Jack, Drop-leg (if equipped) Grease gears at top.

  • Page 46: Inspection And Service Instructions

    Inspection, Service And Maintenance 9.2 Inspection And Service Instructions WARNING Broken or damaged fasteners can cause WARNING injury or damage to trailer and contents. Worn or broken suspension parts can cause loss of control and injury may result. Inspect for, and repair all damaged parts at least once a year.

  • Page 47: Manually Adjusting Brake Shoes

    Inspection, Service And Maintenance is “hard braked” from a rearward direction. Read your CAUTION axle and brake manual to see how to adjust your brakes. If you do not have this manual, contact your Extreme cold weather can degrade battery dealer for assistance.

  • Page 48: Hydraulic Surge Brake

    Inspection, Service And Maintenance reservoir. Check with your dealer for the type of brake trailer has multiple axles, bleed the rear axle fi rst. fl uid used in the brake system. Submerse the other end of the hose in a glass container of brake fl...

  • Page 49: Ring And Pintle

    Inspection, Service And Maintenance The coupler latch lever must be able to rotate freely 9.2.7 Wheel Rims and automatically snap into the latched position. Oil If the trailer has been struck, or impacted, on or near the pivot points, sliding surfaces, and spring ends the wheels, or if the trailer has struck a curb, inspect with SAE 30W motor oil.

  • Page 50: Wheel Bearings

    Inspection, Service And Maintenance If your axle(s) are equipped with a grease zerk on the ends of the axle(s), the bearings must be greased every 6 months or 6,000 miles to ensure reliable and safe operation of your trailer. Remove the rubber plug from the axle end. Place grease gun on zerk.
  • Page 51 Inspection, Service And Maintenance WARNING Metal creep between the wheel rim and lug nuts or bolts can cause rim to loosen. Death or injury can occur if wheel comes off. Tighten lug nuts or bolts before each tow. Tighten the lug nuts or bolts in three stages to the fi...

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