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Merritt GOOSENECK LIVESTOCK TRAILER User Manual

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GOOSENECK LIVESTOCK TRAILER
OWNER’S MANUAL
SEE WARRANTY REGISTRATION FORM ON LAST PAGE
1-800-634-3036 . 9339 BRIGHTON RD. HENDERSON, COLORADO 80640-8229
REV A 6/16/16
79-79-0502
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Merritt GOOSENECK LIVESTOCK TRAILER Specifications

General IconGeneral
BrandMerritt
ModelGOOSENECK LIVESTOCK TRAILER
CategoryUtility Vehicle
LanguageEnglish

Summary

FORWARD

GENERAL INFORMATION

NORMAL TRAILER OPERATION

Details on designed operation within legal limits on reasonable road surfaces.

LOADING AND TRANSPORT OF LIVESTOCK

Guidance on keeping center of gravity low and driving with care for livestock.

MODIFICATION OF TRAILER

Requirements for trailer modifications to comply with regulations and maintain GVWR.

SAFETY

OVER-THE-ROAD SAFE HANDLING

Operator's control of stability factors, causes of rollover accidents, and cornering advice.

WHEEL TORQUES

BEFORE TRIP INSPECTION PROCEDURE

SAFETY CHAINS

Instructions on correctly attaching safety chains behind the coupler, not to the ball.

COUPLER ATTACHMENT

Checks for positive engagement of hitch ball and coupler, and securing the lock handle.

BRAKE AND ELECTRICAL CONTROLS

SIDE STRUCTURE

Inspecting trailer sides for damage to rails and structure, avoiding hanging objects on skin.

GATES

TIRES

Checking tires for cuts, abrasions, and maintaining proper air pressure as recommended.

WHEELS & RIMS

Checking wheel nuts for proper torque and ensuring matched wheels/studs to prevent damage.

DOOR LOCKS

Inspecting all gate, access, side, and rear door locks for proper working order and wear.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

OPERATION OF BRAKES

Guidance on trailer brakes working with towing vehicle brakes and avoiding jack-knifing.

OPERATION OF COUPLER

Adjusting coupler height for a level trailer and ensuring the lock handle is fully engaged.

OPERATION OF GATES

ADJUSTMENT OF GATES

Procedures for adjusting gate alignment to ensure proper latching with the slam lock.

GENERAL MAINTENANCE

FASTENERS

Inspecting monthly for missing or loose zinc plated fasteners and replacing them immediately.

FLOOR

Cleaning the aluminum tread plate floor and avoiding abrasive materials for animal bedding.

GATE AND RAMP HINGES

Lubricating gate, door, and ramp hinges regularly to prevent unnecessary wear.

WHEEL BEARINGS

Inspecting wheel bearings for corrosion/wear, and proper lubrication for axle reliability.

IMPORTANT NOTICE WASHOUT REQUIRED

BRAKES

BRAKE INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE

Inspecting brake drums, linings, and magnets for wear, scoring, and contamination.

BRAKES ADJUSTMENT

WHEELS AND TIRES

WHEELS

Importance of matching wheel capacity ratings and avoiding modifications or tube installation.

TORQUE REQUIREMENTS

Applying and maintaining proper wheel mounting torque and correct fastening procedures.

TIRE SAFETY

SAFETY FIRST-BASIC TIRE MAINTENANCE

Proper tire maintenance improves handling, stopping, and prevents tire failure.

CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE

STEPS FOR MAINTAINING PROPER TIRE PRESSURE

A step-by-step guide to locating and adjusting tire pressure to the recommended level.

TIRE SIZE

TIRE TREAD

Importance of tread for grip and traction, and indicators for when tires need replacement.

WHEEL ALIGNMENT

How wheel alignment optimizes tire life and vehicle stability, requiring professional service.

TIRE REPAIR

Proper procedures for tire repair, emphasizing plugs/patches and avoiding sidewall punctures.

SPEED RATING

U.S. DOT TIRE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

Information on the DOT number, plant code, and manufacturing date for tire identification.

TIRE PLY COMPOSITION AND MATERIALS USED

Explains tire ply count and materials indicating load support and construction type.

MAXIMUM LOAD RATING

Information on tire load capacity in kilograms and pounds, crucial for safe operation.

MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE INFLATION PRESSURE

UTQGS INFORMATION

Explains Uniform Tire Quality Grading System components: Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature.

TIRE TYPE DESIGNATIONS (LT, ST)

Identifies tire types: LT for light trucks and ST for trailer-only use.

LOAD LIMITS

Information on dual/single load ratings and load range for tire capacity.

LOAD LIMITS

SAFETY

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICES

Key notices regarding trailer washouts, coupler safety, battery checks, and gate closures.

OPERATIONAL CAUTIONS

Cautions on coupler bolt torque, battery charging, and gate security during operation or parking.

GENERAL WARNINGS

Warnings about personal injury from swinging gates, wheel nut torque, and livestock hazards.

BRAKE SYSTEM INFORMATION

Information within the manual regarding brake adjustment procedures for proper function.

GVWR CAPACITY WARNINGS

MATERIAL CARE ADVISORY

Advisory on staining/discoloration of aluminum trailers due to environmental factors.

LOADING AND CONTROL WARNINGS

Warnings about improper loading causing sway, sudden loss of control, and load securement.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BASIC WIRING DIAGRAM

A comprehensive diagram illustrating the trailer's electrical system layout and connections.

BREAKAWAY BATTERY CHARGER INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

BATTERY DATA CHART

Specifications and service life information for the 12-volt sealed lead-acid breakaway battery.

12 VOLT SEALED LEAD-ACID BATTERY (BREAKAWAY BATTERY)

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WIRING DIAGRAM (STANDARD 6-WAY)

Diagram showing pin assignments and wire colors for a standard 6-way trailer connector.

ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR WIRING DIAGRAM (STANDARD 7RV BLADE)

Diagram illustrating pin assignments and wire colors for a standard 7RV blade trailer connector.

TROUBLESHOOTING

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TROUBLESHOOTING

General guidance for diagnosing and resolving electrical issues with trailer lights and systems.

LIGHTS NOT WORKING

Steps to troubleshoot non-functional clearance, turn, stop, interior, or license plate lights.

DIM LIGHTS TROUBLESHOOTING

Steps to diagnose and fix issues with dim lighting, checking power, grounds, and corrosion.

SINGLE SIDE LIGHTING ISSUES

Troubleshooting steps for when only one side of the trailer's lighting is operational.

ELECTRICAL BRAKING TROUBLESHOOTING

NO BRAKES

Diagnosing and fixing issues causing a complete failure of trailer brakes.

INTERMITTENT BRAKES

Troubleshooting intermittent trailer brake function, checking controllers, wires, and connections.

WEAK BRAKES TROUBLESHOOTING

LOCKING BRAKES TROUBLESHOOTING

Diagnosing and resolving issues causing trailer brakes to lock up or seize.

BRAKES PULLING TO ONE SIDE

HARSH BRAKES TROUBLESHOOTING

Identifying and resolving causes of harsh or abrupt trailer brake application.

NOISY BRAKES TROUBLESHOOTING

Diagnosing and fixing sources of noise during trailer brake operation.

SURGING BRAKES TROUBLESHOOTING

DRAGGING BRAKES TROUBLESHOOTING

Diagnosing and resolving issues causing trailer brakes to drag or remain partially engaged.

CONSUMER INFORMATION

REPORTING SAFETY DEFECTS

Procedures for reporting vehicle safety defects to NHTSA and Merritt Trailers Inc.

WARRANTY AND REMEDY LIMITATIONS

MERRITT TRAILERS INC. 5 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

WARRANTY COVERAGE DETAILS

Outlines warranty coverage periods for various trailer components and parts.

PAINTING WARRANTY

Specific warranty details related to the trailer's paint finish and application.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WARRANTY

Warranty coverage for electrical parts, locks, latches, and lighting systems.

PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS

Key maintenance tasks required to keep the trailer warranty valid.