TRAVEL TRAILER
HITCHING PROCEDURE
Hooking up your RV will become easier with
practice. The following procedure will help until
you become more experienced.
1. Make sure the trailer wheels are blocked.
2. Turn the tongue jack crank to raise the
travel trailer tongue above the hitch ball.
3. Open the coupler latch on the travel trailer
hitch.
4. Back the tow vehicle into the proper
position.
5. Turn the tongue jack crank to lower the
coupler onto the hitch ball.
6. Close the coupler latch after it is
completely seated.
7. Install the (customer supplied) weight
distributing bars (equalizers) as directed
by the OEM.
8. Remove the dolly wheel or platform and
retract the tongue jack to its maximum
height.
9. Attach the breakaway switch cable to the
tow vehicle.
10. Walk around the RV to verify exterior lights
are working correctly.
11. Attach the safety chains.
12. Plug in your wire harness/connector plug
from the tow vehicle to the travel trailer.
13. Remove the trailer wheel blocks.
If an Atwood brake actuator is used with an
equalizing hitch, be sure the hanger chains
hang between straight down and forward up to
34°. Do not use less than 6-1/2" hanger chain
length. For optimum brake performance, hang
chains forward 34°. Refer to OEM manual for
more information.
TOWING
You will find that your RV will travel safely and
comfortably at most posted trailer highway
speed limits. However, it will take longer than a
passenger automobile to reach that speed.
Keep this in mind when overtaking and
passing another vehicle. Allow more time to go
around the vehicle you are passing. You
cannot cut back into the traffic lane as quickly
due to the longer length of your tow vehicle/RV
combination. Drive with caution to avoid
situations that might require quick momentum
changes.
Even though your RV is equipped with brakes
designed for GVWR, we suggest practicing
stopping away from traffic until you become
accustomed to your RV’s stopping distance. A
good way to practice is at a large parking lot
(where it is permissible). Easing to a stop and
starting smoothly saves wear and tear on your
tow vehicle/RV combination.
Drive defensively, try to anticipate problems
that may occur and prepare for them (even if
they may never happen). Be aware of road
surface conditions. Slow down well in advance
of dips and bumps to reduce the jolting to your
tow vehicle/RV combination. Drive over them
slowly and let the trailer tires pass over them
before accelerating. Cross railroad tracks
slowly (always release your brakes before
crossing).
30
SECTION 4
TOWING & HANDLING
WARNING
Whenever possible, do not travel with
waste in the holding tanks. Liquid or debris
in the holding tank(s) may affect the towing
characteristics and may result in property
damage or personal injury.
WARNING
Your RV braking system is rated for
operation at GVWR not
GCWR.
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