trailer guidelines
or is worn, the trailer can come loose from the tow vehicle and may cause death or serious injury.
THE TOW VEHICLE, HITCH AND BALL MUST HAVE A RATED TOWING CAPACITY EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE TRAILER gross vehicle Weight rating (gvWr). IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE HITCH BALL BE OF THE SAME SIZE AS THE COUPLER.
The ball size and load rating (capacity) are marked on the ball. Hitch capacity is marked on the hitch.
Warning
Be sure the LOAD RATING of the hitch ball is equal or greater than the load rating of the coupler.
Be sure the SIZE of the hitch ball matches the size of the ball coupler.
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 the Trailer to the Tow 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.
page 52 — SG1400C3 Studio Generator • operation manual — rev. #0 (10/05/11)
