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Safety operating instructions

Our goal is to provide our valued customers with a reliable, quality Arete Food Trailer at a reasonable price.

 

We have a 20% returning customer rate, an exceptional number in our industry that we are very proud of; this means that we have allowed more entrepreneurs to expand their operations due to an affordable, value driven product, and quality that has met or exceeded their standards.

 

If used according to the SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS we guarantee our trailer to be structurally free from manufacturing defects.

 

In order to be under warranty you must meet the following criteria and follow the safety instructions outlined in the pages that follow.

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SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS MAJOR HAZARDS

Loss of control of the trailer or trailer/tow vehicle combination can result in death or serious injury. The most common causes for loss of control of the trailer are:

  • Improper sizing of the trailer for the tow vehicle, or vice versa.

  • Excessive Speed.

  • Failure to adjust driving behavior when towing a trailer.

  • Overloading and/or improper weight distribution.

  • Improper coupling of the trailer to the hitch.

  • Not maintaining proper tire pressure.

  • Not keeping lug nuts tight.

  

IMPROPER SIZING OF THE TRAILER TO THE TOW VEHICLE

Trailers that weigh too much for the towing vehicle can cause stability problems, which can lead to death or serious injury. DOT law requires all trailers that exceed 40% of the towing vehicle weight or 3000lbs to require a brake system on the trailers which we will install at your reference to vehicle specs. Furthermore, the additional strain put on the engine and drive-train may lead to serious tow vehicle maintenance problems. For these reasons the maximum towing capacity of your towing vehicle should not be exceeded.

 

DRIVING TOO FAST

With ideal road conditions, the maximum recommended speed by the Department of Motor Vehicles for safely towing a trailer is 55 mph. If you drive too fast, the trailer is more likely to sway, thus increasing the possibility for loss of control. Also, your tires may overheat, thus increasing the possibility of a blowout.

 

FAILURE TO ADJUST DRIVING BEHAVIOR WHEN TOWING A TRAILER

When towing a trailer, you will have decreased acceleration, increased stopping distance, and increased turning radius (which means you must make wider turns to  keep from hitting curbs, vehicles, and anything else that  is on the inside corner). Furthermore, the trailer will change the handling characteristics of your towing vehicle, making it more sensitive to steering inputs and more likely to be pushed around in windy conditions or when being passed by large vehicles. In addition, you will need a longer distance to pass, due to slower acceleration and increased length. With this in mind:

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  • Be alert in slippery conditions. You are more likely to be affected by slippery road surfaces when driving a tow vehicle with a trailer, than driving a tow vehicle without a trailer.

  • Be aware of your trailer height, especially when approaching bridges, roofed areas and around trees.

  • Check rear-view mirrors frequently to observe the trailer and surrounding traffic.

  • Use a lower gear when driving down steep or long grades.

  • Use the engine and transmission as a brake. Do not ride the brakes, as they can overheat and become ineffective.

 

TRAILER NOT PROPERLY COUPLED TO THE TOW BALL

It is critical that the trailer be securely coupled to the tow ball, and that the safety chains are correctly attached. Uncoupling may result in death or serious injury to you and to others. Proper selection and condition of the coupler and tow ball are essential to safely towing your trailer. A loss of coupling may result in death or serious injury.

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  • Be sure the tow ball size matches the coupler size.  

  • Observe the tow ball for wear, corrosion and cracks before coupling. Replace worn, corroded or cracked tow ball components before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle.

  • Be sure the tow ball components are tight before coupling the trailer to the tow vehicle.

 

AN IMPROPERLY COUPLED TRAILER CAN RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY. DO NOT MOVE THE TRAILER UNTIL:

  • The coupler is secured and locked to tow ball;

  • The jockey wheel is removed.

  • Safety chains are secured to the tow vehicle.

  • The trailer jack(s) are fully retracted.

  • Tires and wheels are checked.

  • Air pressure in tires is checked.

  • Doors and windows are locked.

  • Load is secured to the trailer.

  • Trailer lights are connected and checked.

 

PROPER USE OF SAFETY CHAINS

If your trailer comes loose from the hitch for any reason, we have provided safety chains so that control of the trailer can still be maintained.

  

TIRES, LOOSE WHEELS AND BOLTS

Just as with your tow vehicle, the trailer tires and wheels are important safety items. Therefore, it is essential to inspect the trailer tires and bolts before each tow.

If a tire has a bald spot, bulge, cut, cracks, or is showing significant wear, replace the tire before towing. If a tire has uneven tread wear, take the trailer to a service center. Uneven tread wear can be caused by tire imbalance, axle misalignment or incorrect inflation.

Tires with too little tread will not provide adequate frictional forces on wet roadways and can result in loss of control, leading to death or serious injury.

Improper tire pressure causes increased tire wear and may reduce trailer stability, which can result in a tire blowout or possible loss of control. Therefore, before each tow you must also check the tire pressure as marked on the wheel.

Remember, the proper tire pressure normally should be checked when tires are cold. Allow 3 hours cool down after driving as much as 1 mile at 40 mph before checking tire pressure.

Bolts are prone to loosen after first being assembled. When driving a new trailer (or after wheels have been remounted), check to make sure they are tight after the first 30, 60 and 90 miles of driving and before each tow thereafter.

 

IMPROPER LOADING

The total weight of the load you put on the trailer, plus the empty weight of the trailer itself, must not exceed 2645lbs/Axle  

You must distribute the load in the trailer such that the load on the trailer does not exceed:

770 Lbs - Single axle

1650 Lbs - Double axle (tandem)

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SHIFTING CARGO

Since the trailer “ride” can be bumpy and rough, you must secure your cargo so that it does not shift while the trailer is being towed. Always lock all doors and windows before towing.

 

INAPPROPRIATE CARGO

Your trailer may be designed for specific cargo. If your trailer is designed for specific cargo, only carry that cargo in the trailer. A trailer must not be used to carry certain items, such as people, containers of hazardous substances or containers of flammable substances.

 

UNSAFE LOAD DISTRIBUTION

Uneven left / right load distribution can cause tire, wheel, axle or structural failure. Be sure your trailer is evenly loaded left / right. Towing stability also depends on keeping the center of gravity as low as possible.

 

BEFORE ENTERING INTO THE TRAILER

  • Put Jockey wheel in place before uncoupling

  • Put all four legs/stands down before entering trailer

  • Use hand brake system or wheels stoppers when parked  

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