Starcraft 2005 - Trailering and Driving; Safe Driving Practices; Braking, Runaway, and Swaying Control; Tire Change and Maintenance

Trailering
Driving
You may need a little experience to gain assurance and
become familiar with the fee! of towing a trailer. Practice
accelerating, turing, backing, and braking at home under
favorable conditions before you take a trip. By doing this, you
will get an idea of the effect of the additional weight and length.
of your unit. This will help you to remember to allow greater
distances for safe passing and stopping.
Some states require slow moving vehicles on two-way roads
to pull off at the first opportunity whenever several vehicles
have lined up behind them, waiting to pass. This is a courtesy
that might protect you from impatient drivers who may pass
you without enough room,
Driving tips:
1. Move into traffic slowly and accelerate gradually.
2. Stay inthe right ane as much as possible, Allow faster
vehicles the right of way.
3. Before passing a slower vehicle, be certain that you
have sufficient speed and highway space available to
sately complete the maneuver. Signal lllane changes.
‘Allow enough room between you and the vehicle you
pass before returning to the right lane.
4, When turning, swing wide of the curb. The unit will turn
closer to the curb than your car.
5. Shift to a lower gear when either ascending or
descending a hill or steep grade,
6. Avoid sudden stops.
Braking & Emergency Stops
Anticipate stops well in advance so you can avold panic
‘stops which can cause your camper to jackknife, resulting in
possible accident and injury.
When adjusted correctly, the brake controller in your tow
vehicle should apply the camper brakes, if so equipped,
slightly before the brakes on the tow vehicle take offect. This
will avoid the tendency of the campertto jackknifein emergency
braking situations or on slick pavement.
Runaway Camper
In the event your campor should disconnect from the hitch
‘on the tow vehicle, reduce your speed slowly and edge over
into
the
shoulder
as
soon
as
you
can
do
so
sately.
Properly
connected safety chains will keep the camper connected to
the tow vehicle.
swaying
It your trailer starts to sway or fishtail, DO NOT let up on the
45 or apply the car brakes. Avoid quick corrective steering
changes. Keep a steady or slightly increased pressure on the
‘998 pedal (gently apply the trailer brake, iso equipped) to gain
Control, then gradually slow down, Winds or passing vehicles
can cause some sway, butif it continues, follow the procedure
above toregain control and carefully pulloff the road and check
forthe cause, such as: low tie pressure, loose wheel lug nuts,
improper loading (rear heavy), car suspension or alignment,
or tow vehicle inadequacy.
Grades
Reducing your speed, using a lower transmission range or
shifting to a lower gear will assist in braking and uphill it will
help prevent the engine from overheating. It’s best not to park.
on a grade, but if it is necessary, apply the brakes and have
‘someone place wheel blocks against the trailer tires. Then
release the brakes slowly until the unitis stoppedby the blocks.
‘Apply the parking brake and place the transmission in park (or
in gear if manual transmission).
Backing
This is a skill best learned from experience; perhaps in an
‘empty parking lot. Place yourself so your approach will favor
yourleftview;campsiteto theleft, for example. Stationsomeone
at the rear of the unit to make sure everything is clear and help
guide you. Place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel
and move it in the direction you want the trailer to go. If the
trailer starts to jackknife, stop, pull forward enough to align
the units, and try again.
When backing Into your campsite, remember to also watch
above for branches and limbs that could harm your unit.
Tire Change
A tire change on the road may present extra problems and
distractions. Be careful. Turn on the hazard warning flashers
and sot up flares or warning lights. Block the opposite tir
When raising the trailer, use a scissor or hydraulic type jack
on a wood block directly under the main beam just behind the
axle, DO NOT use a bumper jack.
If the trailer must be left on the jack while you get the tire
repaired, place a block, or something more solid and substantial
than the jack, next to or near the jack, directly under the framo
main beam. Lower the jack, putting most of the trailer weight
on the block. BLOCK THE TRAILER WHEELS BEFORE YOU
UNHITCH.
Before jacking up the trailer, loosen all the wheel lug nuts.
Jack up the trailer until the whee! spins freely. Remove
the wheel lug nuts and the wheel and tire. Remove the
center cap from the wheel and set it in the new wheel.
Place
the
new
wheel
and
tire
on
the
hub.
Hand
tighten
lug
nuts being careful to center the countersunk wheel holes on
the chamfered lug nuts. Lightly seat the lug nuts with the lug
wrench. Lower trailer on to ground. Tighten wheel lug nuts
to 50-75 foot pounds in the alternate pattern 1,3,5,2,4, 1,3,2,4
oF 1, 3, 5, 2, 4,6.
REMEMBER, after changing wheels it is very important
to check the wheel lug nuts for tightness at 25, 100, 500 and
every 500 miles thereafter to assure tightness. Seo also the
Service interval Chart on page 29.
DO NOT return a tire to your Starcraft Dealer or to
Starcraft RV, Inc. Tires are warranted separately by each tire
manufacturer. Contact the tire manufacturer or his authorized
dealer. Check the tire warranty in the Starcraft Owners Packot
that came with your unit.
Fig. 6. Tire capacity and pressure statement,