Towing
Tow Vehicle Requirements
When considering a tow vehicle, keep in mind certain requirements for safe and easy use.
Hitch – Make sure that your tow vehicle is equipped with a weight-distributing hitch that has a rating at least equal to the GVWR. Make sure that it is installed per the hitch manufacturer's instructions, and that it meets the tow vehicle's requirements for fit and performance.
Power – Make sure your tow vehicle has adequate power to tow your bumper pull on the type of roads you will be using. Factors to consider are engine power, cooling capabilities, and axle ratio. Discuss the towing capabilities of your vehicle with both your horse trailer dealer and tow vehicle dealer.
Safety Equipment – Make sure to install proper safety equipment such as towing mirrors. In most states law requires them. Most styles available are not permanent and can be easily installed and removed. Check with your dealer for correct types and methods of installation. Also make sure to install proper hitch wiring to supply 12-volt power to the bumper pull for turn signal and brake light operations.
Sway Control – Make sure to install a sway control system that is compatible with both your hitch and tow vehicle. Have it installed and properly adjusted per the manufacturer's instructions.
Tires & Suspension – It is important to make sure that your tow vehicle tires and suspension have a sufficient rating to handle the additional capacity needed to tow a trailer. Check with your tow vehicle dealer and owner's manual as to what type of tires and tire pressure is required. If your tow vehicle is equipped with air shocks, do not use the air shocks as a load-leveling device to level the tow vehicle/bumper pull combination once it is hitched up.
Transmission – The transmission can be manual or automatic, but for most people, an automatic transmission will control engine loads better.
Warning: Some motorized vehicles are not good tow vehicles because they cannot adequately control sway in the vehicle being towed.
Bumper Pull Hitching Procedures
To safely tow your new bumper pull, you will need to install a weight distributing hitch with a 2-5/6” ball. It is very important to choose a hitch designed for attachment to your particular tow vehicle, and have it properly installed. Choosing the correct hitch for use with your trailer will enhance the stability and maneuverability of your bumper pull and tow vehicle combination.
A weight distributing hitch is one in which leverage is used to distribute the tongue weight of the trailer between the trailer and the tow vehicle. It consists of the hitch receiver, which attaches to the tow vehicle, and spring bars that provide the necessary leverage for load distribution. A hitch of this type properly installed and matched to your tow vehicle, will provide a level ride that can improve braking and steering control, as well as reduce towing strain.
Pay particular attention to the relationship between the tongue load limits of your tow vehicle and the hitch that you purchase.
Another consideration when choosing a hitch is the addition of a sway control system. Friction and cam-action are the two main types of sway control systems available. Be sure to discuss the addition of sway controls with your dealer and hitch supplier when making the decision to purchase a hitch for your tow vehicle.
Warning: Make sure to choose a hitch that does not have a tongue weight rating that exceeds what is recommended. Doing so may result in damage to your trailer frame.
Gooseneck Hitching Procedures
Height Adjustment
Since not all trucks and gooseneck hitches are exactly the same size, it may be necessary to adjust the height of your gooseneck pin box to achieve a level position. If the gooseneck is hitched up with the front too high, too much weight will be transferred to the rear of the unit, which can cause trailer sway. If it is hitched up too low, additional weight will bear down on the tow vehicle, exceeding the proper hitch weight.
The pin box can be adjusted by removing the bolts on each side that hold the two sections together, repositioning the pin box to a new height, and reinstalling the bolts. Because of the weight and critical nature of the pin box, consult with your dealer before attempting to alter the position of the pin box. Make sure all hardware is reinstalled and correctly tightened.
It is also possible to make height adjustments with most gooseneck hitches. Refer to the instructions provided with your hitch for the proper method of adjustment.
Hitching Up
The instructions given here are general instructions applicable for most gooseneck hitches. It is very important that you read and follow the specific instructions provided with your particular gooseneck hitch. It is a good idea to discuss hitching procedures with your dealer. They can answer your questions, and offer helpful tips to make the procedure an easy one for first time Gooseneck owners.
Make sure to also talk with your tow vehicle dealer before selecting a hitch for your truck, making sure that it meets the specifications required.
When attaching the gooseneck to the tow vehicle hitch, use the following steps.
Lower the tailgate of your tow vehicle.
Remove the latch pin from the hitch latch handle. Make sure that the hitch is in the unlatched position by pulling the hitch latch handle to the open position (check hitch manufacturer's specific instructions).
Place wheel chocks under both the front and back of the trailer's wheels (both sides).
Using the gooseneck jacks, adjust the height of the kingpin plate until it is level with the bearing plate on the tow vehicle hitch.
Slowly back the tow vehicle up until the kingpin is inserted past the jaw plates (or latch plate) of the hitch. Have someone assist you in this with the use of predetermined hand signals. Make sure this person is in view at all times and proceed slowly and cautiously.
Make sure the kingpin is completely inserted and locked in the hitch.
Close the coupler-latching lever; making sure that it is fully locked in place. Insert the lock pin in the latching lever.
Raise the gooseneck jacks to their fully retracted position.
Raise and secure the tow vehicle tailgate.
Warning: Follow any and all additional instructions outlined by the hitch manufacturer, tow vehicle dealer, and horse trailer dealer for proper hitching procedures.
Unhitching
To unhitch the gooseneck from the tow vehicle hitch, proceed as follows.
Lower the tailgate of your tow vehicle.
Remove the latch pin from the hitch latch handle. Make sure that the hitch is in the unlatched position by pulling the hitch latch handle to the open position (check hitch manufacturer's specific instructions).
Place wheel chocks under both the front and back of the trailer's wheels (both sides).
Using the gooseneck jacks, adjust the height of the kingpin plate until it is level with the bearing plate on the tow vehicle hitch.
Slowly back the tow vehicle up until the kingpin is inserted past the jaw plates (or latch plate) of the hitch. Have someone assist you in this with the use of predetermined hand signals. Make sure this person is in view at all times and proceed slowly and cautiously.
Make sure the kingpin is completely inserted and locked in the hitch.
Close the coupler-latching lever; making sure that it is fully locked in place. Insert the lock pin in the latching lever.
Raise the gooseneck jacks to their fully retracted position.
Raise and secure the tow vehicle tailgate.
Warning: DO NOT raise the gooseneck jacks until you are sure the kingpin is fully engaged and locked in place in the gooseneck hitch.
Operating Jacks
Manual Gooseneck Jacks
Manual gooseneck jacks utilize a hand crank on the side of the unit to raise or lower the gooseneck from the front. The jacks are used to raise or lower the gooseneck off of or onto the tow vehicle hitch, and also for leveling the unit from front to back.
To operate the jacks, proceed as follows.
To lift the gooseneck for hitching or unhitching, drop the pad tube by removing the lock pin. Re-pin in the hole that places the pad closest to the ground. This will compensate for variations in terrain between the two jacks. If parked on a level surface, keep both sides pinned in the same position.
Open the cover on the side of the unit and insert the hand crank into the alignment tube until the end engages the crankshaft.
Turn the crank handle counterclockwise to raise the gooseneck and clockwise to lower.
When retracting the jacks, raise them as far as possible with the crank handle. Remove the lock pin and raise the pad tube, re-pinning in the highest possible position.
Remove and store the jack crank handle. Close and secure the access door. Make sure that the lock pin spring lock is positioned around the jack and secured over the end of the pin on the opposite side of the jack tube. This prevents the pin from coming out while traveling. Before towing, check for maximum clearance between the ground and the bottom of the jacks.
Warning: Before using the jacks, make sure to chock the wheels on both sides of the gooseneck. Place chocks both in front of and behind the wheels. Always retract the jacks fully before towing the gooseneck.
Warning: When hitching the gooseneck to the tow vehicle, DO NOT raise the jacks until you are sure that the gooseneck is securely latched into position in the tow vehicle hitch.
Note: When the jacks reach their maximum extended or retracted length (or maximum load), you will hear a clicking noise. This is the overriding clutch built into the motor to prevent over-extension of the jack or retraction. Release the toggle switch as soon as you hear the clicking. Continued operation with the clutch slipping can damage the jacks.
Electric Power Gooseneck Jacks
The power gooseneck jacks provide an electrically driven motor to take the place of the manually operated jack crank handle for raising and lowering the gooseneck.
To operate, hold the switch in the position you wish to move the jacks; either UP or DOWN. When released, the switch will automatically return to its centered, OFF position.
Make sure to observe all other instructions and cautions outlined in the previous operating instructions for the manual gooseneck jacks.
The jacks may also be operated by use of a manual hand crank if the electric drive motor is inoperative.
Warning: DO NOT attempt to use the hand crank at the same time the electric drive motor is being used. Remove the hand crank when using the motor.
Rear Stabilizer Jacks
Your trailer may be equipped with manual stabilizing levelers on the rear left and right sides. Before using, make sure to pick as level a site as possible to park your trailer. If a level site is unavailable, it may be necessary to use wheel ramps or planking under the tires on the low side of the trailer.
To use stabilizer jacks, proceed as follows.
Obtain as level a position as conditions at your campsite allow before unhitching. It may be necessary to use ramps or planking under the tires to achieve side-to-side balance.
Always use wheel chocks when parking.
Unhitch the trailer from your tow vehicle and level from front to rear with front jacks.
Lower the stabilizer jack on the lowest side of the trailer first, checking for and “fine-tuning” level conditions with the jack.
Once side-to-side balance is obtained, lower jack on opposite side to secure level position.It is a good idea to use stick-on levels where they may be observed during the leveling procedure.
Electric Power Tongue Jacks
The power tongue jack takes the place of the manually operated jack for raising and lowering the bumper pull from front to back.
To operate, hold the switch in the position you wish to move the jack; either UP or DOWN. When released, the switch will automatically return to its centered, OFF position.
Warning: DO NOT attempt to use the stabilizer jacks to raise or lower the trailer, or use to support the total weight of your trailer. The jacks are only meant to stabilize your trailer in a level position. Attempting to raise the trailer by use of the stabilizer jack can cause damage to the jack, trailer frame, or both.
Note: If after leveling, the entrance door to the trailer “sticks,” you likely lifted one side of the trailer excessively, causing a binding condition on the frame. If this condition exists, lower the trailer and re-level to obtain proper balance.
Operating Slide-Out Rooms
A switch located inside the horse trailer on the sink base or a nearby wall partition operates the slide-out room.
Before extending the room(s), check the exterior for proper clearances.
The horse trailer must be level and the stabilizer jacks securely in place. It may also be necessary for the horse trailer to be slightly off level, side to side, during heavy periods of rain to allow rain to run off the roof away from the horse trailer. This will prevent the water from “backing up” and running inside the living area of the trailer. To extend the slide-out, hold the switch in the “out” position.
A moaning or grinding sound at the initial start of the operation is normal. These are the piston shafts traveling through the free travel area of the brackets.
If properly adjusted, the piston shafts or ratchet will stop their travel when the room is in position. If this does not happen, contact your dealer for adjustment.
If the room stops before it is fully extended the piston shafts may need to be adjusted.
To bring the slide-out room in, reverse the above procedure.
Jumper Cable Connection
If nothing happens when the switch is pushed check the electrical connections. Also check for a blow 12-volt fuse.
Most of the time when the room fails to move it is due to a low or dead battery, even though you may feel that your battery is sufficiently charged. If the room doesn't move, a direct jumper cable connection from a fully charged battery may be needed.
Connect the jumper cable hot lead to the connection point (terminal) on the starter solenoid opposite the copper strip.
Connect the jumper cable ground lead to a ground point such as one of the hose fittings that are mounted in the valve outlet ports, or any convenient point on the valve body or middle section of the power unit.