Trailer Assembly & Safety Instructions
Contents
1. 3 LAUNCHING Back trailer into the water If possible avoid submerging trailer wheels Put the vehicle in Park and set the parking break Have someone keep a firm hold on the bow line Remove the safety hook from bow eye if present Hold the winch handle tightly in one hand and then unlock the winch 12 Slowly let the boat into the water by turning the winch handle If the boat does not move let out 6 to 10 inches of winch line hold the winch handle and push the boat down the trailer Detach winch hook from the boat then crank the winch line in and lock it in place With the bow line walk the boat to the loading area away from the ramp Caution If the winch handle slips from your hand do not try to grab the handle The spinning handle can cause injury 4 REMOVING THE TRAILER FROM THE WATER Unlock the parking brake and drive the vehicle and trailer to the parking area LOADING WATERCRAFT 1 Preparing for loading 1 1 Check ramp Before you load your boat check the ramp area Here are some questions you should ask yourself to prepare for loading 1 How steep is the ramp Is the surface adequate to support the weight of the trailer and vehicle Is the ramp wide enough Is the ramp long enough How deep is the water at the end of the ramp on Bw P Caution Some ramps are very slippery 1 2 Lights Trailers without submersible lights need to have the lighting systems unplugged from the towing vehicle bef2. and ingenuity continues as it has since 1957 REGISTRATION Federal law requires the completion of trailer and tire registration information The pri mary purpose of these forms is to protect you in the unlikely event of a recall on either the trailer or the tires These forms also allow Tie Down to contact first purchasers if it becomes necessary to issue service bulletins or defect notifications To initiate the war ranty of your product it is imperative that you complete your Warranty and Tire Registration Forms at the time of purchase The upper portion of the warranty card is for your records send the lower portion to TIE DOWN ENGINEERING Inc 5901 Wheaton Drive Atlanta Georgia 30336 www tiedown com NOTE Warranty is void if Warranty and Tire Registration Forms are not mailed and postmarked within fifteen 15 days of purchase These forms include the following information The original purchaser you The product model code The date of manufacture The serial number V I N The date of sale The selling dealers name and address and the tire D O T serial numbers All of this information must be included to initiate the warranty of your product If you have any questions concerning the warranty contact the selling dealer SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Read and understand this manual carefully and in its entirety before operating or trans porting the trailer Pay attention to all WARNINGS CAUTIONS and NOTES indicated by BOLD and
3. the rear cross member 4 need to face up 2 Attach coupler 1 to the tongue using a 3 8 x 3 hex head bolt and nut in the rear hole Use two 3 8 x 3 4 hex head bolts and nuts in the front holes one on each side of coupler Attach a safety chain to each side of the tongue below the coupler using a 3 8 x 3 1 2 hex head bolt and nut Use flat washers provided on each side on outside of chain 3 Attach rear cross member 4 to frame sides 3 using two 1 2 x 4 hex head bolts w nuts and washers Use the two inner holes to mount rear cross member to the two frames 4 Attach tongue 2 to frames 3 using a 1 2 x 4 hex head bolt and nut with washers on each side 5 At this time it would be helpful to turn the trailer upside down It would also be helpful to elevate trailer at least 24 using block stands 6 Attach front cross member to frames just behind where the tongue is attached to the frames Use two U bolts w nuts and washers 3 8 x2 x4 7 Bolt two spring hangers 6 to each frame side use outer most holes using a 3 8 x3 1 2 hex head bolt w nuts in the hole that goes through the frame and a 1 2 x 3 1 2 hex head bolt in the holes through the spring hanger that are closest to the frame 8 Attach springs 10 to the hangers with the hole end of the springs to the front of the trailer Insert a 1 2 x 3 1 2 hex head bolt through the spring hanger and spring eye secure 2 with nut Lay spring on rear hanger and i
4. the wheel and listen for any noise Rotate the wheel back and forth keeping your hand on the tire to feel for vibration cause by roughness or grinding in the bearing 5 If the wheel will not spin or has even resistance while spinning see if the brake shoes are dragging Smooth and noiseless operation indicates that bearings are working properly 6 Grip each side of the tire with your hands Rock the tire from side to side to see if it moves If the tire and wheel do not move the wheel bearing is adjusted correctly 7 Visually check bearing seals for leakage A film of oil around the seal area is normal but excessive grease usually means the seal is leaking On axles with brakes it is necessary to remove the brake drum hub to check the seals if you suspect that the bearings are worn out of adjustment leaking or are not working properly have them checked by an authorized Tie down Dealer or Distributor 15 2 Brakes Brakes should be checked periodically for wear and adjustment A yearly check up on your brakes by an authorized Tie down Dealer or Distributor is recommended 3 Rollers The rollers should be checked and lubricated at the beginning and end of each season Rollers that are worn or damaged should be replaced 4 Bunks Check bunks for wear and damage each season Worn carpet should be replaced or repaired Damaged or broken bunks should he replaced as soon as possible after such an occurrence 5 Couplers Chains
5. to insure the even tightening of the lug nuts on the wheel 11 Lower the jack until it is free of the frame par 12 Check the lug nuts and tire inflation on all wheels and tires LAUNCHING WATERCRAFT 1 Preparing for Launching 1 1 Check Ramp Before you launch you boat check the ramp area Here are some questions you should ask yourself to prepare for launching 1 How steep is the ramp is the surface adequate to support the weight of the trailer and vehicle Is the ramp wide enough Is the ramp long enough How deep is the water at the end of the ramp on Ww P Caution Some ramps are very slippery 1 2 Lights Trailers without submersible lights need to have the lighting systems unplugged from the towing vehicle before loading NOTE Hot light bulbs may break if submerged in water 2 Launching Develop a technique for launching your boat that is consistent and safe Listed below are some suggestions that may help in developing your own personal launching plan 1 BACK THE TRAILER TO THE TOP OF THE RAMP Have someone outside the vehicle to guide you in backing up to the ramp Stop the vehicle when the rear of the trailer is a few feet from the edge of the water Put the vehicle in lark and set the parking brake 2 PREPARE FOR LAUNCHING Attach a bow line to the boat Remove the tie downs On outboards and stern drives tilt up the lower unit Be sure that the hull drain plug is tightly in place
6. Trailer Assembly amp Safety Instructions TIE DOWN ENGINEERING Inc 5901 Wheaton Drive H Atlanta Georgia 30336 DII E 800 241 1806 Mma www tiedown com Assembly Instructions P N 15371 062305 A268 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION REGISTRATION SAFETY PRECAUTIONS Assembly Instructions TRAILER ADJUSTMENT Introduction 1 General Hull Position 2 Winch Height 3 Roller Position 4 Bunk Position 5 Tongue Weight SAFE TRAILER OPERATION 1 Trailer Hookup 1 1 Couplers 1 2 Safety Chains 1 3 Lights 1 4 Wiring Harness 1 5 Load Equalizing Hitches 2 Safety Checks 2 1 Tires and Wheels 2 2 Tie downs 2 3 Secure Covers 2 4 Obstacles 3 Transporting 3 1 General Rules 3 2 Traveling Down Hills 3 3 Trailers with Brakes 3 4 Changing a Tire LAUNCHING WATERCRAFT 1 Preparing for Launching 1 1 Check Ramp 1 2 Lights 2 Launching LOADING WATERCRAFT 1 Preparing for loading 1 1 Check ramp 1 2 Lights 2 Loading STORAGE GENERAL CARE COMPONENT CARE 1 Wheels Tires amp Axles 1 1 Wheels amp Tires 1 2 Axles amp Spindles 2 Brakes 3 Rollers 4 Bunks 5 Couplers Chains amp Jack 6 Winch 7 Lights amp Wiring 8 Surface Finish o 0 o o o oA Nana WO O O oO INTRODUCTION THANK YOU for purchasing a Tie Down Engineering trailer Tie Down produces some of the most refined trailers on the market today Tie Downs commitment to quality and service is unsurpassed and its dedication to continuous improvement
7. UNDERLINED type Tie Down Engineering reserves the rights to discontinue models change specifications or change designs at any time without notice and without incurring obligations In this manual Right and Left are determined by the forward direction of travel Imprinted on the trailer serial data plate located on the left frame member is the gross vehicle weight rating GVWR for the trailer This capacity includes the boat motor fuel and gear Assembly Instructions of the Tie Down Trailer Important Notes before assembly e Read all instructions before attempting assembly of your trailer e Familiarize yourself with the exploded drawing as to how the trailer is assembled e It will help in the assembly if you have a large flat area to work in e You will need a way to elevate the trailer at least 24 inches in order to install the fenders and wheels e Every effort was made to insure that all parts are packed correctly Should you have a problem with a shortage of parts contact Tie Down Engineering at 1 800 241 1806 Tools required Minimum required is two adjustable wrenches and a hammer Preferred tools include 9 16 wrench and deep socket 1 2 wrench and deep socket 3 4 wrench and deep sock et Ratchet wrench for sockets Assembly Instructions 1 Layout the tongue 2 frames 3 rear cross member 4 front cross member 5 on a Clean flat surface using the exploded drawing as a guide Two small holes in the center of
8. aces is not covered Our galvanized trailers are highly recommended for use in or around salt water areas This Warranty does not cover winches lights couplers brake systems tongue jacks springs and tires or wheels as these items are warranted separately by their respective manufacturers NO TRANSPORTATION CHARGES WILL BE PAID BY TIE DOWN OTHER LIMITATIONS RACES BEARINGS AND SEALS ARE COVERED FOR 90 DAYS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OBLIGATIONS OR LIABILITIES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE SHALL BE LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE TWO YEAR DURATION OF THIS WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTY Some states do not allow limitations on how long any implied warranty lasts EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU TIE DOWN MANUFACTURING COMPANY SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES FOR BREACH OF THIS OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED Some states do not allow limitations of incidental or consequential damages so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state Important Information Congratulations on purchasing this quality product This trailer was designed and built for West Marine Trailer Capacity is 780 DO NOT EXCEED THIS CAPACITY MAXIMUM BOAT LENGTH IS 12 FT D
9. amp Jack Check the couplers chains and tongue jack each time they are used Replace damaged couplers and worn or damaged chains Lubricate the working mechanisms on the jack at the beginning and end of each season Replace worn or damaged parts on the jack 6 Winch Most trailers are equipped with a winch that needs very little maintenance The bearings of the winch should be oiled regularly and a heavy grease applied to the gears This will extend the life of the winch and will minimize the effort necessary to pull the boat onto the trailer Replace the winch and cables if it is damaged or worn 7 Lights amp Wiring The lights should be checked for proper operation each time the trailer is used If a bulb fails replace it with a new light of the same kind Always keep spare bulbs and fuses on hand Check your trailer wiring at least once a season for cracked weak or melted wiring Replace wiring harness if damaged At the end of each season remove the light lenses and apply a thin coating of rust inhibitor to the internal metal components 8 Surface Finish The trailer should be washed at least once a season with soapy water The more the trailer is used the more it should be washed Trailers that are subjected to salt water should be rinsed after every use Rust spots on the trailer frame should be sanded off and that area of the frame should be refinished If the trailer is painted use Tie down White paint Galvanized trailer
10. cles also apply to trailers Worn tires should be replaced 14 Check the air pressure in each tire with a tire pressure gauge Fill the tires with air to the recommended tire pressure indicated on the sidewall of the tire It is best to fill the tires before transporting because tires heat up during travel causing the air pressure to increase The most common cause of abnormal tire wear is inadequate air pressure in the tires Each time your trailer is used check and make sure that the lug bolts on each wheel are tight Wheels and loose or missing lug nuts can break loose Warning Loose wheels can come off and cause severe personal injury or death Always check lug nuts on all wheels and tighten if necessary each time the trailer is used 1 2 Axles amp Spindles 1 2 1 Checking Bearings Wheel bearings have been tightened to the proper torque at the factory but bearing should be checked periodically To maximize bearing life check bearing adjustment after the first 50 miles and then every two to three years thereafter Follow this procedure to check bearings at the beginning of each season and whenever bearing problems are suspected NOTE DO NOT disassemble hubs within the warranty period so as not to void warranty 1 Couple trailer to a towing vehicle 2 Set parking brake on vehicle and block the tires on the trailer 3 Use a jack to lift one wheel of the trailer off the ground to where you can just spin the tire 4 Spin
11. crossmember should be an equal distance from the center of the trailer as the opposing bunk on the other side of the crossmember Each bunk on one side of the crossmember should also be the same distance above the crossmember as the opposite side 5 Tongue Weight CAUTION Improper tongue weight or weight distribution may result in Fishtailing and or up Jack knifing creating a potentially hazardous situation If you should experi ence Fishtailing or Jack knifing slow down accordingly and contact the nearest authorized Tie down dealer as soon as possible Do not attempt to adjust trailer The tongue weight should be approximately 5 to 10 of the Gross Vehicle Weight of the boat and trailer and should not exceed the capacity of the tow vehicle hitch or the coupler Check the tow vehicle manufacturers recommended maximums for towing capacity and tongue weight The tongue weight should be measured on a commercial scale although for smaller trail ers it can be measured on a bathroom scale The tongue weight of the boat is adjusted by the position of the axle and spring assem blies of the trailer If the axle and spring assemblies are moved forward the tongue weight decreases Moving the axle and spring assemblies to the rear increases the tongue weight SAFE TRAILER OPERATION Safe operation of your trailer requires forethought and readiness Develop a series of suc cessive steps for preparing your trailer for transport that can be fol
12. ecal s must be placed on your trailer as follows Vehicle Id Label Read Owner s for important Safety Information Help avoid accidents are injury by chetsing the fosewing ema s before each trip Check tire pressure never exceed maximum pressure specified ene acs Do not modify this trailer or exceed the Use correct jiameter specified on coupler piak TEREE r aah maximum load capacity limit Ci wheat ene bolts before each trip and ane abn ignea 1o to 90 fi of torque Tighten any other loose nuts Inject non fibrous marine grease into Lah aair tn eee paaa Paaa TS drag on ground wheel bearing lubrication system twice a Center boat on trailor and secure bow tightly against bow roller season or every 500 miles with winch hook and bow safety chain Use the down straj som of bost to trailer O naar Chock airing fos Gamage toinadaton Replace any Use only with a 1 7 8 in diameter trailer hitch ball 99967 0002 Small Warning Label Large Warning Label
13. ended that you use the following steps to insure that your trailer will continue to perform well 1 Wash the trailer with soapy water to remove dint and road tar 2 Touch up rusty or bare areas with paint or liquid galvanizing 3 When possible park your trailer in a covered and protected area 4 Lubricate your bearings with water resistant wheel bearing grease 5 Be sure trailer is level then jack up the trailer and place blocks under the frame to take the weight off the springs and tires 6 Loosen the tiedowns and the winch line to let the boat rest completely on the trailer 7 Be sure to lubricate moving parts like the winch rollers etc 8 Check for any loose bolts and nuts and tighten if necessary Check all lug bolts and or nuts GENERAL CARE Your Tie down trailer is designed for years of trouble fee towing when cared for properly Maintaining your trailer regularly will help in extending the service life of the trailer as well as preserving its smooth operation Generally the more often you maintain the trailer the longer it will last COMPONENT CARE 1 Wheels Tires amp Axles 1 1 Wheels amp Tires Trailer tires and wheels usually require more attention than tires on your vehicle because they are often exposed to water Tires need to be check for wear each time the trailer is used Unusual tire wear should be checked by an authorized Tie down dealer or distributor The laws pertaining to tire wear on motorized vehi
14. for the duration of a downhill run can cause the brakes to overheat and fade or fail entirely When towing a trailer with surge brakes slow down as you approach the crest of a hill Maintain a slow controlled downhill speed with repeated applications of your tow vehicles brakes allowing enough time between breaking for the brake linings to cool off Caution Wet brakes may increase the distance usually required to stop the vehicle and trailer After pulling your trailer from the water pump the brakes several times while you are mov ing to aid in drying the water from the brake linings 3 4 Changing a Tire It may be necessary to change a tire and wheel on your trailer because of damage to the tire If this should occur use the following steps as a guide Be sure that your trailer and tow vehicle are off the roadway clear of traffic Put the tow vehicle in Pard and set the parking brake Turn on your emergency flashers Put out flares Leave the trailer coupled to the tow vehicle Block the tire opposite the one to be changed so that it cannot move Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel to be changed but do not remove them Jack up the frame of the trailer near the flat tire until the wheel is just free to spin Remove the tire and wheel and replace it with a spare that is properly inflated Sec inflation table on tire 10 Tighten the lug nuts on the wheel 0700 IO ON OO D NOTE Use the tightening pattern shown below
15. lowed consistently Anticipate potential problems and correct them before using your trailer Allow time to check for the proper functioning of your trailer to prevent possible accidents This manual can be used as a guide to develop your own strategy for preparing for the safe transport of your trailer WARNING Loose wheels can come off and cause severe personal injury or death Always check lug nuts on all wheels and tighten if necessary each time the trailer is used TRANSPORTING 1 Trailer Hookup 1 1 Couplers Couplers are designed for specific trailer loads and hitch ball sizes Do not use a hitch ball of a size different than is marked on the coupler Trailer coupling should be permanently marked with a Coupling manufacturer s name initial or trademark 6 b Part Style or model number c S A E coupling designation and gross trailer weight d and the hitch ball diameter for which the coupling is designed In this manual coupler will be used as a generic term for both couplers and actuators Actuators are couplers that have mechanisms for applying trailer brakes When actuators is used it will be in specific reference to brake actuating couplers The gross vehicle weight of the trailer and the load being carried Watercraft gear fuel etc The GVWR should not exceed the trailer gross vehicle weight rating GVWR marked on the trailer coupler The following lists the coupler classes GVWR hitch ball sizes and ball sha
16. nk sizes that are available on trailers CLASS MAX GVWR BALL DIAMETER SHANK SIZE 1 2 000 1 7 8 3 4 2 3 000 2 3 4 3 5 000 2 3 4 4 7 500 2 5 16 1 4 10 000 2 5 16 1 1 4 4 13 000 2 5 16 1 3 8 Before coupling you trailer to the towing vehicle Check that the hitch ball size and ball shank size are properly matched to the trailer coupler Make sure the hitch ball is securely fastened to the tow hitch and be sure the tow hitch has a rated capacity that is greater than the trailer GVWR Hitching the trailer to a tow vehicle can be done with one person but it is easier if you have someone to help you Here is a guide of the basic steps to coupling a trailer to a tow ing vehicle Back your vehicle up to the trailer so that the hitch ball is as close as possible to the trailer coupler 2 Check the coupler locking device and make sure it released 3 Raise the front end of the trailer position the coupler directly over the hitch ball then lower the coupler until it completely covers the ball 4 Check to make sure that the ball clamp is below the ball and not sitting on top of the ball 5 Lock the coupler to the hitch ball Lift the tongue of the trailer to check if the coupler is locked If the coupler comes loose from the ball start at step 3 again NOTE Class 1 2 amp 3 couplers have adjustment nuts on the bottom of the ball clamp This nut should be adjusted the first time the coupler is locked on
17. nsert a 1 2 x 3 1 2 hex head bolt through spring hanger so that the slipper part of the spring rests between the two 1 2 bolts 9 Attach axle 8 to springs 10 Place spring pad 11 centered on spring so that the pin is in the center hole of the spring pad Spring pad must be flush with the spring Use two U bolts with nuts and washers on each spring axle connection Axle has two holes that are centered on the spring pin opposite the spring pad 10 Attach two fender brackets 7 to each frame Short side of bracket should rest inside frame Use a 3 8 x 3 hex head bolt and nut to attach fender bracket to frame 11 Attach fenders 12 to fender brackets using 3 8 x 1 carriage bolts and nuts four per fender Bolt heads should be on top of fender 12 Attach hubs to axle using hardware provided in each hub kit Instructions Included 13 Attach wheels 13 to hubs using the lug nuts provided 14 At this time turn trailer over to its normal upright position 15 Attach roller bracket 17 to the rear of the tongue using two 3 8 x 4 hex head bolts w nuts and washers Roller bracket rests on top of Tongue and bolts attach to the cross member mounted below the frames 16 Attach roller to bracket using a the 1 2 rod and cap nuts Hint place a cap nut on a hard surface cap side down Place the 1 2 rod on cap and use hammer to force the cap nut onto one side of the rod Place rod through bracket and roller Place a cap nut on o
18. ore loading NOTE Hot light bulbs may break if submerged in water 2 Loading As with launching develop a technique for loading your boat that is consistent and safe Listed below are some suggestions that may help in developing your own personal loading plan 1 BACK THE TRAILER TO THE RAMP Have someone outside the vehicle to guide you in backing up to the ramp Back the trailer into the water If possible avoid submerging trailer wheels Put the vehicle in Park and set the parking brake 2 REMOVING THE BOAT PROM THE WATER On outboards and stern drives tilt up the lower unit With the low line walk the boat to the loading ramp and line the boat up with the trailer Attach the winch hook to the boat Crank the boat onto the trailer 13 Attach the safety hook to the bow eye Unlock the parking brake and drive the vehicle and trailer to the top of the ramp 3 PREPARE FOR TRANSPORTING Remove the bow line from the boat Secure the boat to the trailer the tie downs Remove drain plug if the boat needs draining Final preparations for transporting securing boat canopy loading or organizing inside of boat and final trailer checks can be done in parking area away from the ramp Note Remember to hook up the lighting harness to the tow vehicle and check lights for proper function before transporting Trailer is ready for transport STORAGE When your trailer will not be used for several months it is recomm
19. propriate connection to match that of the trailer Some vehicles may require a towing package to be installed for the lights to work properly This package may be required on vehicles where the current draw from the trailer is greater than the vehicle s electrical system can handle A special adapter is also necessary on vehicles that have separate blinker lights that are not in conjunction with brake lights Check your trailer wiring at least once a season for worn cracked or melted wiring Replace wiring harness if damaged 1 4 Wiring Harness Yellow Left side stop light amp turn indicator Green Right side stop light amp turn indicator Brown Market parking amp running lights White Ground 1 5 Load Equalizing Hitches If you plan on towing your trailer with a vehicle equipped with a weight distributing equal izing hitch refer to your DICO Installation Instruction and Service Manual for your brakes 2 Safety Checks 2 1 Tires and Wheels Check tires for proper inflation and be sure wheel lug nuts are tight each time you use your trailer Check the air pressure in your tires when they are cold because tires heat up during use causing the pressure to increase Inflate tires to the recommended pressure indicated on the sidewall of the tire Under inflation is the most common cause of tire trouble WARNING Loose wheels can come off and cause severe personal injury or death Always check lug nuts on all wheels and tighten if necessar
20. s should be retouched with liquid galvanizing Both Tie down White paint and liquid galvanizing are available from your authorized Tie down Dealer or Distributor 16 TIE DOWN LIMITED TWO YEAR WARRANTY TIE DOWN MANUFACTURING COMPANY warrants each new Tie down Boat Trailer to be free of defects for a period of two years from the date of purchase TIE DOWN shall repair or replace without charge any covered products or parts the TIE DOWN Manufacturing finds to be defective because of imperfect workmanship or materials within a reasonable time after the trailer is returned to any Tie down Boat Trailer authorized distributor or dealer WHO IS COVERED This warranty is extended to the original consumer purchaser only and does not extend to any other persons to whom the trailer may be transferred The warranty does not apply if the trailer was purchased for resale or business use WHAT IS NOT COVERED Provisions of this warranty shall not apply to any product which is found to have been altered or modified in any way nor shall the warranty apply to any malfunction which was caused by damage unreasonable use or failure to provide reasonable or necessary maintenance The Warranty will not cover damage caused by overloading the trailer beyond stated capacities or the use of improperly installed weight distribution hitches in conjunction with hydraulic surge brakes Due to corrosive conditions that a trailer is exposed to rust formation on painted surf
21. should be level when the line is taut A level bow line will allow the boat to be pulled directly into the bow block Bow eye of boat should be directly under bow block The bow of the boat should be resting snugly against the winch pad with enough clearance from the towing vehicle to allow for turns The transom of the boat should be within 2 3 inches of the rear rollers or the tail end of the bunks This clearance is determined by the position of the winch stand on the frame 3 Roller Position The rollers should be positioned for stabllity and support The boat should be centered on the trailer and the supported weight should be balanced between the sides of the trailer Make sure that none of the chine rollers are resting on any stakes of the hull The rear rollers should be within 2 3 inches of the transom of the boat Each roller set on one side of a crossmember should be an equal distance from the center of the trailer as the oppos ing set on the other side of the crossmember should also be the same distance above the crossmember as the opposite side 4 Bunk Position The bunks as with rollers should be positioned for stability and support The boat should 5 be centered on the trailer and the supported weight should be balanced between the sides of the trailer Make sure that none of the bunks are resting on any stakes of the hull The rear of the bunks should be within 2 3 inches of the transom of the boat Each bunk on one side of a
22. ther end of the rod and hammer on 17 Attach bow stand 14 with four 3 8 x 3 hex head bolts and nuts Later you will adjust bow stand to fit your boat 18 Attach bow roller bracket 15 to bow stand using two 3 8 x 3 4 hex head bolts and nuts 19 You may wish to do this last when you have your boat on the trailer to see where the bow stand should be on the tongue and where the roller should be on the stand for a cor rect fit with the boat Roller is attached with a 3 8 x 4 hex head bolt and nut 20 Attach bunk board brackets to rear cross member Before attaching measure your boat to see how far apart the bunks should be for a proper fit The rear cross member has many places to mount the bunk brackets for a correct fit Using two 1 2 x 1 hex head bolts w nuts and washers attach the bunk brackets to the cross member so that the slotted part of the bracket is at least one inch above the cross member Attach bunks 21 to the brackets using a 3 8 x 2 1 2 hex head bolt w nut on each 21 Attach keel pad 22 onto rear cross member using two self taping screws 3 22 Lighting is installed using instructions provided with lighting kit 23 Go over trailer checking all nuts and bolts for correct installation and all nuts being tight Check lug nuts on wheels to insure proper installation Read all safety information provided If you have any assembly or usage questions contact Tie Down Engineering at 1 800 241 1806 Enjoy yo
23. to the hitch hall and checked periodically for tightness Class 4 actuators are self adjusting on 6000 actuators and need no adjustment on the larger actuators 6 If your trailer is equipped with a tongue jack raise it to the transport position 7 7 If your trailer has surge brakes attach the break away cable to the tow vehicle Make sure there is enough slack in the break away cable to allow for tight turns 8 Attach safety chains to tow vehicle See Safety Chains for proper connection 9 Connect trailer wiring harness to the lighting hookup of the tow vehicle and check opera tion 1 2 Safety Chains Safety chains are provided on your trailer as added protection should the trailer become detached from the towing vehicle To function properly the chains should be attached as illustrated below WARNING AVOID ACCIDENTS BEFORE TRAILERING HITCH ONLY TO BALL SIZE CROSS SAFETY MARKED ON COUPLING CHAINS UNDER BE CERTAIN BALL CLAMP O COUPLING CAPTURES BALL AND ALLOW ONLY LEVER OR HANDWHEEL ENOUGH SLACK IS FULLY CLAMPED FOR TURNS Be sure that the safety chains are in good condition Chains that show wear or damage should be replaced immediately Chains are available from your Tie down Dealer Ask your Tie down Dealer for the proper size chain for the GVWR of your trailer 1 3 Lights The lights should be checked for proper operation each time the trailer is used Lights should be connected to the towing vehicle with the ap
24. topping Check Side View Mirrors often to be sure that the trailer and boat are riding properly Be aware of what is behind you Take Wider Turns on corners and curves You need to compensate for the added length of your trailer Be Aware of Wind wet pavement and sudden changes in air pressure from passing vehicles Slow down accordingly Avoid Sudden Stops and Starts Sudden stops can cause the trailer to slide or jack knife Sudden starts can put undue strain on the tie downs and hitch Signal Early Indicate your intention well before you stop turn or change lanes so that others will have time to react Use a Lower Gear Because of the increased load the vehicle has to pull a lower gear will help in traveling up hills or over rough roads In some cases gas mileage can be improved by using a lower gear since this will not lug the engine Be Prepared Always be prepared by carrying a spare tire for the trailer a jack a wheel block flares first aid kit and other essential gear that will aid in case of an emergency or breakdown 3 2 Traveling Down Hills It is important to follow a few guidelines when towing trailer down a hill or slope par 1 Anticipate Hills Prepare for a decent before you reach the crest of the hill 2 Slow down before you start your decent Trying to slow your speed as you go down a hill can cause weaving or jackknifing Remember the trailer is trying to push your vehicle down the road 3 Us a lo
25. ur new trailer NOTE The Warranty is void if the gross vehicle weight rating GVWR of the trailer is exceeded TRAILER ADJUSTMENT INTRODUCTION Your trailer should be adjusted for your boat before or at the time of purchase by your authorized Tie down Dealer This section outlines a general method for determining if your trailer has been adjusted properly If you suspect that your trailer is improperly adjusted contact your Tie down Dealer to have it readjusted NOTE Attempting to adjust your trailer to your boat could result in voiding your warranty and create an unsafe condition 1 General Hull Position The hull position of the boat on the trailer should be set for you by your authorized Tie down dealer at the time of purchase The trailer should by adjusted so that the hull of the boat sets securely on the rollers or bunks of the trailer If the trailer has keel support the keel should be cradled in the neck of the keel rollers The bow of the boat should be resting snugly against the winch pad with enough clearance from the towing vehicle to allow for turns The rollers or bunks should be flush against the hull of the boat and between the stakes The transom of the boat should be within 2 3 inches of the rear rollers or the tail end of the bunks 2 Winch Height Check the winch height on a level surface Release the winch 2 turns and lock Push the boat back from the bow block The winch line connecting the winch to the bow eye
26. wer gear unless you have surge brakes See 3 3 Trailers with brakes Before you start your descent shift to a lower gear Shifting to a lower gear will allow a more controlled descent than riding the brakes will Brakes can get overheated on long hills a lower gear will aid in preventing this 3 3 Trailers with Brakes Most states require trailers with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating GVWR of 1 500 pounds or more to have brakes on all wheels Trailers with brakes that actuate automatically when the tow vehicle slows down are called surge brakes As the tow vehicle slows down the momentum of the trailer against the ball hitch on the tow vehicle applies pressure to a master cylinder in the trailer coupler This pressure activates the trailer brakes through a hydraulic system similar to the brakes on a car Surge brakes usually do not have automatic brake lining adjustment Consequently surge brakes should be adjusted for wear regularly Have your trailer brake lining inspected on a regular basis and have the necessary adjustments and replacement of worn parts made each time 10 Caution DO NOT use a lower gear when descending a hill if the trailer being towed has hydraulically actuated brakes surge brakes Descending hill with a trailer with surge brakes is different than with other trailers Using a lower gear can cause pressure against the hitch which will activate the trailers brakes Continuous activation of the trailer brakes
27. y each time the trailer is used 2 2 Tie downs Tie downs help hold your boat securely to the trailer If tie downs are not firmly and prop erly secured the boat could be damaged from bouncing on the trailer or it could fiLl off the trailer altogether It is important that the transom of your boat resting completely on the trailer supports and that the boat is securely locked in place with tie downs Tie downs should be sized so that their strength is at least equal to the empty weight of the trailer 2 3 Secure Covers Be sure that all protective covers such as tarpaulins canvas etc are secured before trans porting Covers that come off during transport could impair the driving of passing or fol lowing vehicles 2 4 Obstacles Check your trailer for obstacles that have attached themselves or become wedged in the frame fenders rollers etc These obstacles could become dislodged during transport and cause serious damage or harm to passing or following vehicles or persons 3 Transporting 3 1 General Rules Familiarize yourself with the trailer Take the boat and trailer on a short trip to get used to the way it handles and to be sure everything is working properly Although all Tie Downs trailers are engineered and designed to be towed at the legal maxi mum posted highway speed we recommend for greater safety that highway speed not exceed 45 m p h Refer to Section 5 page 3 Allow Extra Space when following passing or s
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