TRAILER GUIDELINES
WARNING
A worn, cracked or corroded hitch ball can fail while towing and may result in death or serious injury.
Before coupling trailer, inspect the hitch ball for wear, corrosion and cracks.
Replace worn or damaged hitch ball.
WARNING
A loose hitchball nut can result in uncoupling, leading to death or serious injury.
Be sure the hitch ball is tight to the hitch before coupling the trailer.
Rock the ball to make sure it is tightened to the hitch, and visually check that the hitch ball nut is solid against
the lock washer and hitch frame.
Wipe the inside and outside of the coupler. Clean and visually inspect it for cracks and deformations. Feel the inside of the coupler for worn spots and pits.
Be sure the coupler is secured tightly to the tongue of the trailer. All coupler fasteners must be visibly solid against the trailer frame.
The bottom surface of the coupler must be above the top of the hitch ball. Use the tongue jackstand to support the trailer tongue. Wood or concrete blocks may also be used.
Coupling theTrailer to theTow Vehicle (Ball Coupler)
Lubricate the hitch ball and the inside of the coupler with a thin layer of automotive bearing grease.
Slowly back up the tow vehicle so that the hitch ball is near or aligned under the coupler.
Using the jackstand at the front of trailer (tongue), turn the jackstand crank handle to raise the trailer. If the ball coupler does not line up with the hitch ball, adjust the position of the tow vehicle.
Open the coupler locking mechanism. Ball couplers have a locking mechanism with an internal moving piece and an outside handle. In the open position, the coupler is able to drop fully onto the hitch ball.
Lower the trailer (Figure D) until the coupler fully engages the hitch ball.
TRAILER
COUPLER TOW VEHICLE
BALL
Figure D. Ball Hitch Coupling Mechanism
Engage the coupler locking mechanism. In the engaged position, the locking mechanism securely holds the coupler to the hitch ball.
Insert a pin or lock through the hole in the locking mechanism.
Be sure the coupler is all the way on the hitch ball and the locking mechanism is engaged. A properly engaged locking mechanism will allow the coupler to raise the rear of the tow vehicle. Using the trailer jackstand, verify that you can raise the rear of the tow vehicle by 1 inch after the coupler is locked to the hitch.
Lower the trailer so that its entire tongue weight is held by the hitch.
Raise the jackstand to a height where it will not interfere with the road.
NOTICE
Overloading can damage the tongue jack. DO NOT use the tongue jack to raise the tow vehicle more than one inch.
If the coupler cannot be secured to the hitch ball, do not tow the trailer. Call your dealer for assistance. Lower the trailer so that its entire tongue weight is held by the hitch and continue retracting the jack to its fully retracted position.
PAGE 58 — LT12 SERIES LIGHT TOWER • OPERATION MANUAL — REV. #12 (01/20/09)
