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14
Chapter 3: Towing and Leveling
6. Close and latch tailgate.
7. Back truck slowly until kingpin engages the fth-wheel and
automatically locks
8. Ensure the lock is closed.
9. Connect the power seven-way cord between the tow vehicle and
the fth-wheel.
10. Connect the emergency breakaway switch cable.
11. Test the fth-wheel brakes and exterior lights
12. Completely raise the landing gear.
13. Store the wheel chocks.
14. Check the tire pressure while the vehicle tires are cold.
15. Re-torque the lug nuts. Refer to “Wheel Nut Torque”
Travel-Trailer
1. Crank the tongue of the trailer jack up until the hitch coupler is
high enough to clear the tow vehicle.
2. Back the tow vehicle to the trailer until the hitch ball is directly
under the coupler on the trailer.
3. Set the parking brakes, raise the locking latch on the coupler and
crank it down on the ball.
4. Move the locking latch down to lock it on the ball.
5. Engage the lock and retainer clip.
6. Raise the tongue by cranking the jack down. (The tow vehicle will
come up with it if the high coupler is properly latched.)
7. Connect the power cord between the tow vehicle and the trailer.
8. Connect the breakaway switch, assuring the breakaway cable is
not attached to any part of the tow vehicle assembly.
9. Crank the jack all the way up.
10. Install and adjust side mirrors.
11. Check all lights on the trailer and tow vehicle.
12. Pull forward and check the operation of the trailer brakes with the
hand control to assure proper operation. (Refer to manufacturer
specications on setting the brake control.)
Before Towing
• Ensure the TV antenna is down and in the correct position.
• Disconnect all park connections and are securely stored.
• Close and secure all doors, windows, awnings and roof vents
• Return the Entry step to the travel position.
• Refer to the “Pre-Travel Checklist” located in the Appendix
Towing
Towing a recreational vehicle can be enjoyable and worry-free if special
attention toward safety is applied every time you hit the road and before
heading out on our rst camping trip, practice turning, stopping and
backing in low trafc areas or large parking lots. In time, traveling with a
recreational vehicle in tow will be as easy as driving the family car.
Before Heading Out
Weight Distribution
Proper weight and load distribution is absolutely essential to safe towing.
It is necessary to maintain a certain percentage of gross vehicle weight on
the tow vehicle. Common recommendations place approximately 10% -
15% of a loaded weight on a travel-trailer hitch and approximately 20-25%
on a fth-wheel pin weight, as the weight comes out of the tow vehicle
payload capacity. Too much or too little weight upon the hitch leads
Check tires for proper ination
and wheel lug torque to meet
manufacturer’s specications.