COUPLING TO THE TOW VEHICLE
motion will ensure trailers equipped with free-backing brakes are in their normal operating
mode. Disconnect the trailer from the tow vehicle and jack up the trailer’s tongue until it is
horizontal.
which is centered below the actuator’s coupler. Place wheel chock blocks two feet behind the
trailer to prevent a runaway trailer.
Place a sturdy board, such as a 2 inch by 4 inch piece of lumber, into the chain loop below the
coupler. The board should be 4 feet or longer so it will extend several feet above the actuator.
Keep the end of the board a few inches off the ground, and position it to press against the front
end of the actuator’s coupler. Press the board towards the rear of the trailer.
Keep pressing the top of the board to stroke the actuator and its internal master cylinder. If the
trailer brake system is operational, the brakes will apply and keep the trailer from rolling away
from you. Properly adjusted uni-servo or duo-servo type brakes will prevent you from moving
the trailer back more than a few inches. Free-backing type brakes will initially provide rolling
resistance, but continued force on the board will switch them into free-backing mode, and you’ll
be able to move the trailer backwards.
causes the trailer to roll away from you freely or with only minimal resistance, the brakes are
NOT applying properly. If you have free-backing brakes and stroking the actuator (as described
properly. The brake system MUST be evaluated to determine the cause of the problem and
corrective action MUST be taken before the trailer is used. Use this procedure each time you tow
your trailer to check your surge brake system operation.
4.3.1.10 TEST SURGE BRAKE BREAKAWAY SYSTEM
Before towing, check that the breakaway lever and lanyard are properly positioned. If the breakaway
lever and lanyard are not located correctly due to either the lanyard being pulled during
use or by accident, it MUST be reset prior to the trailer being moved.
See the Surge Brake Actuator manual for the correct resetting and testing procedure.
WARNING
The breakaway system is designed to operate if the trailer separates from the
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tow vehicle. DO NOT use the breakaway system as a parking brake.
UNCOUPLING A BUMPER PULL TRAILER
Follow these steps to uncouple your ball hitch trailer from the tow vehicle:
• Disconnect the electrical connector.
• Disconnect the breakaway brake switch lanyard.
• Disconnect the safety chains from the tow vehicle.
• Unlock the coupler and open it.
• Before extending jack, make certain the ground surface below the jack pad will support the
tongue load.