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TOWING YOUR AIRSTREAM
TOWING TIPS
We want every owner to be a safe and courteous driver. A few hours of towing practice
in a large empty supermarket lot will make pulling your trailer over the road much
easier. Line out two corners for left and right turns. You may also use these corners to
practice backing and parking.
OBSERVE THAT THE TRACKS MADE BY THE TRAILER WHEELS ARE DISTINCTLY
DIFFERENT FROM THOSE MADE BY THE TOW VEHICLE. Studying this will make it
easier for you to correct mistakes. Truck or trailer type fender or door grip rear view
mirrors are a must for maximum visibility and in most states the law requires them.
After thoroughly inspecting your hitch, brakes, and tires you should be ready to tow.
Check traffic, signal that you are about to pull away, and start slowly. Look often in your
mirrors, and observe the action of the trailer, then carefully move into the proper lane
of traffic. Remember that the trailer wheels will not follow the path of the tow vehicle
wheels; therefore, WIDER TURNS ARE NECESSARY WHEN TURNING TO THE LEFT
OR TO THE RIGHT.
The BRAKE CONTROLLER is activated when you apply the brakes of the tow vehicle.
Your tow vehicle brakes will automatically apply the trailer brakes first when properly
adjusted. This will help keep your tow vehicle and trailer in a straight line and make you
stop as if you were driving the tow vehicle alone. If swaying or swerving should occur,
briefly operating the controller separate from the vehicle brakes may help correct the
situation. Practice this maneuver on a clear highway or deserted parking lot. Don’t wait
for an emergency then grope for the controller.
When trailering you might encounter a temporary cooling system overload during
severe conditions, such as hot days when pulling on a long grade, when slowing down
after higher speed driving, or driving long idle periods in traffic jams. If the hot indicator
light comes on, or the temperature gauge indicates overheating and you have your air
conditioner turned on, turn it off. Pull over in a safe place and put on your emergency
brake. Don’t turn off the engine. Increase the engine idle speed. Lift the engine hood
and check for fluid leaks at the radiator overflow outlet. Check to see that all drive belts
are intact and the radiator fan is turning. If you have a problem have it fixed at the next
opportunity. If there is no problem the light should go off or temperature should come
down within one minute. Proceed on the highway a little slower. Ten minutes later
resume normal driving.
WARNING: Never open a radiator cap when the tow vehicle is hot. Check
the coolant level when the vehicle is cool.
When going downhill in dry weather, down shift so that engine compression will slow
the whole rig down. Take dips and depressions in the road slowly and do not resume
normal driving speeds until you are sure that the trailer wheels are clear of the dip.
WARNING: On slippery pavement do not use engine drag to help slow
down as this may cause the rear wheels of the tow vehicle to skid. On icy pave-
ment drive slowly and if you feel the tow vehicle skidding gently apply the trailer
brakes only. This will bring the tow vehicle and trailer back into a single line.
Chains do not help trailer wheels.
When driving in mud and sand let the momentum carry the rig through. Apply power
gently and use as little as possible. Stay in the tracks of the vehicle ahead and keep the
tow vehicle in the highest possible gear. If you get stuck it is best to tow out the entire
rig together without unhitching.
Despite the best hitch you will notice that whenever a large bus or truck overtakes your
rig the displaced air first pushes the trailer rear slightly to the right and then affects the
front. It may be necessary to steer very slightly, momentarily, toward the bus or truck to
help compensate for the sway induced by the passing-vehicle. Do not apply the vehicle
brakes, as this can tend to exaggerate the situation. You may find, however, that briefly