RentQuips - User Instructions

Trailer Use Guide

⚠

Warning

This guide contains safety information and instructions for your rental. You must read this manual before loading or towing your trailer and follow all safety precautions.

Pick up

Finding you trailer

Each trailer is equipped with GPS connectivity. To find your trailer, visit rentquips.com/myquips, enter your username and Quip number to view your rented products. In your customer dashboard you will find a link titled “Get Directions”. Click this link and you will be redirected to a map of your trailer’s location. The GPS coordinates are accurate to within 50ft (15m). If you cannot locate your trailer within the radius of the GPS provided please contact us here rentquips.com/help.

Your Quip rental has a unique number in lower right on the back. When picking up a rental it is very important that you verify the Quip ID matches the the ID in your confirmation email or in MyQuips. Your unlock code will only be valid on the Quip assigned to you.

Visual inspection

Before you begin to use your trailer, we ask that you conduct a brief safety inspection to ensure that all equipment is present and functional.

1. Inspect each tire and ensure that they appear properly inflated. Do not use the trailer if a tire is not fully inflated.

2. Verify that the safety chains and brake light connectors are present and in good condition.

3. Ensure that the trailer coupler and clamp are not damaged and functional.

4. If the trailer fails any of these assessments or you feel that the equipment is unsafe to use for any reason, contact us at rentquips.com/help.

Padlock

Each Quip rental trailer is equipped with a padlock on the hitch latch. This locking mechanism helps avoid theft of your personal belongings as well as unauthorized use of equipment. This lock should be in place and locked at all times.

To unlock your padlock, follow the instructions detailed below.

1. Hold the shackle and lock body together. If the shackle is pulled out of the lock body, the dial will be difficult to turn and the lock will not open.

2. Turn the dial to the right at least three times.

3. Stop on the first number in the combination.

4. Turn the dial to the left a full rotation so you go past the first number and stop on the second number in the combination.

5. Turn the dial to the right again, stopping on the final number the first time you come to it.

6. Pull the shackle away from the main part of the lock to open it.

7. Push the shackle back into the lock when you want to relock it. Turn the dial a few times. Pull down on the lock to make sure it's secure.

Hitch

WARNING - If the vehicle and hitch are not properly selected and matched to the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your trailer, you can cause an accident that could lead to death or serious injury. If you already have a tow vehicle, be aware of your vehicle's tow rating and make certain the trailer’s rated capacity is less than or equal to the tow vehicle’s rated towing capacity.

GVWR - The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the maximum allowable gross weight of the trailer and its contents. The gross weight of the trailer includes the weight of the trailer and all of the items within it (such as cargo and other supplies).

GAWR - The Gross Axle Weight Rating is the maximum gross weight that an axle can support. It is the lowest of axle, wheel, or tire rating. Sometimes the tire or wheel rating is lower than the axle manufacturers rating, and will then determine GAWR.

The sum total of the GAWR for all trailer axles may be less than the GVWR for the trailer as some of the trailer load is carried by the tow vehicle, rather than by the trailer axle(s). The total weight of the cargo and trailer must not exceed the GVWR, and the load on an axle must not exceed its GAWR.

Coupling

Coupling and Uncoupling the Trailer - A secure coupling (or fastening) of the trailer to the tow vehicle is essential. A loss of coupling may result in death or serious injury. Therefore, you must understand and follow all of the instructions for coupling. The following parts are involved in making a secure coupling between the trailer and tow vehicle:

Coupling: The trailer connecting mechanism by which the connection is actually made to the trailer hitch. This does not include any structural member, extension of the trailer frame, or brake controller.

Hitch: The connecting mechanism including the ball support platform and ball and those components that extend and are attached to the towing vehicle, including bumpers intended to serve as hitches.

Safety chains: Chains permanently attached to the trailer such that if the coupler connection comes loose, the safety chains can keep the trailer attached to the tow vehicle. With properly rigged safety chains, it is possible to keep the tongue of the trailer from digging into the road pavement, even if the coupler-to-hitch connection comes apart.

Trailer lighting connector: A device that connects electrical power from the tow vehicle to the trailer.

Coupling Instructions

A ball hitch coupler connects to a ball that is located on or under the rear bumper of tow vehicle.

You must provide a hitch and ball for your tow vehicle that meets or exceeds the GVWR of the trailer.

The ball size must be the same as the coupler size. If the hitch ball is too small, too large, is underrated, is loose or is worn the trailer can come loose from the tow vehicle and may cause death or serious injury.

The tow vehicle, hitch and ball must have a rated towing capacity equal to or greater than the trailer gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).

The ball size and load rating (capacity) are marked on the ball; hitch capacity is marked on the hitch.

1. Be sure the size and rating of hitch ball match the size and rating of the coupler. Hitch balls and couplers are marked with their size and rating.

⚠ WARNING

Coupler-to-hitch mismatch can result in uncoupling leading to death or serious injury. Be sure the LOAD RATING of the hitch ball is equal or greater than the load rating of the coupler. Be sure the SIZE of the hitch ball matches the size of the coupler.

2. Wipe the hitch ball clean and inspect it visually and by feel for flat spots, cracks and pits.

⚠ WARNING

A worn, cracked or corroded hitch ball can fail while towing, and may result in death or serious injury.

Before coupling trailer, inspect the hitch ball for wear, corrosion and cracks.

Replace worn or damaged hitch ball.

3. Unlock and remove the padlock from the hitch latch. The combination code for your lock can be found in your customer dashboard at rentquips.com/myquips.

4. Carefully lift and set trailer coupler into the hitch coupler ensuring that it snaps in place.

5. Rock the ball to make sure it is tight to the hitch, and visually check that the hitch ball nut is solid against the lock washer and hitch frame.

6. Wipe the inside and outside of the coupler clean and inspect it visually for cracks and deformations; feel the inside of the coupler for worn spots and pits.

7. Be sure the coupler is tight to the tongue of the trailer. All coupler fasteners must be visibly solid against the trailer frame.

⚠ WARNING

A loose hitch ball nut can result in uncoupling, leading to death or serious injury.

Make sure the hitch ball is tight to the hitch before coupling the trailer.

8. Lower the trailer so that its entire tongue weight is held by the hitch, and continue retracting the jack to its fully retraced position.

9. Lower the trailer tongue until the coupler fully engages the hitch ball. If the coupler does not line up with the hitch ball, adjust the position of the tow vehicle.

10. Close latch and engage the coupler locking mechanism. In the engaged position, the locking mechanism securely holds the coupler to the hitch ball.

11. Reinstall the padlock into the hole on the coupler latch.

12. Ensure the coupler is on the hitch ball and the locking mechanism is engaged.

⚠ WARNING

A loose hitch ball nut can result in uncoupling, leading to death or serious injury.

Make sure the hitch ball is tight to the hitch before coupling the trailer.

13. Connect electrical cable

· Connect the trailer lights to the tow vehicle’s electrical system using trailer electrical cable.

· All Quip rental trailers use a 4-pin flat connector shown below. If your vehicle cannot connect to this cable you will need to use an adapter.

· Test the brake lights and turn signals to ensure that they are functional.

· If the brake lights or turn signals are not working, disconnect and reconnect the electrical cable.

· If any of the brake lights or turn signals are not working, do not use the trailer and contact us at rentquips.com/help.

14. Connect safety chains

Safety chains are provided so that control of the trailer can be maintained in the unlikely event the trailer detaches from the hitch.

⚠ WARNING

Improper rigging of the safety chains can result in loss of control of the trailer and tow vehicle, leading to death or serious injury, if the trailer uncouples from the tow vehicle.

Cross chains underneath hitch and coupler with enough slack to permit turning and to hold tongue up, if the trailer comes loose.

Fasten chains to frame of tow vehicle.

Do not fasten chains to any part of the hitch unless the hitch has holes or loops specifically for that purpose.

· Visually inspect the safety chains and hooks for damage. If safety chains are damaged or missing, do not use trailer and contact us at rentquips.com/help.

· Safety chains must crisscross under the coupler so if the trailer uncouples, the safety chains can hold the tongue up above the road. Loop around a frame member of the tow vehicle or to holes provided in the hitch system, but do not attach them to an interchangeable part of the hitch assembly.

· Attach hooks up from underneath the hole. Do not just drop into hole.

· Provide enough slack in chains to permit tight turns, but not be close to the road surface to drag.

Tongue Weight

It is critical to have a portion of the trailer load carried by the tow vehicle. That is, the trailer tongue must exert a downward force on the hitch. This is necessary for two reasons. First, the proper amount of tongue weight is necessary for the tow vehicle to be able to maintain control of the tow vehicle/trailer system. If, for example, the tongue exerts an upward pull on the hitch, instead of pushing down on it (because the trailer is overloaded behind its axle(s)), the rear wheel of the tow vehicle can lose traction or grip and cause loss of control. Also, even if there is some weight on the tongue, but not enough weight on the tongue, the trailer can become unstable at high speeds. Remember, the faster you go the more likely the trailer is to sway

If there is too much tongue weight, the tow vehicle is prone to jack-knife. The front wheels of the tow vehicle can be too lightly loaded and cause loss of steering control and traction, if the front wheels are driving.

In addition to tow vehicle control, tongue weight is necessary to insure that the trailer axle(s) do not exceed their Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).

In the following table, the second column shows the rule of thumb percentage of total weight of the trailer plus its cargo (Gross Trailer Weight, or “GTW”) that should appear on the tongue of the trailer. For example, a large trailer with a loaded weight of 6,000 pounds, should have 10-15% of 6,000 pounds (600-900 lbs.) on the hitch.

Tongue Weight as a Percentage of Loaded Trailer Weight

Ball Hitch or Ring & Pintle: 10-15% for large trailers, 6-10% for small trailers

Loading and unloading your trailer

Improper trailer loading causes many accidents and deaths. To safely load a trailer, you must consider:

· Overall load weight.

· Load weight distribution.

· Proper tongue weight.

· Securing the load properly

To determine that you have loaded the trailer within its rating, you must consider the distribution of weight, as well as the total weight of the trailer and its contents. The trailer axles carry most of the total weight of the trailer and its contents (Gross Vehicle Weight, or “GVW”). The remainder of the total weight is carried by the tow vehicle hitch.

It is essential for safe towing that the trailer tongue and tow vehicle hitch carry the proper amount of the loaded trailer weight, otherwise the trailer can develop an undesirable sway at towing speeds, or the rear of the towing vehicle can be overloaded.

The load distribution must be such that no component part of the trailer is loaded beyond its rating. You must consider the rating of the tires, wheels and axles. For tandem and triple axle trailers, you must make sure that the front-to-rear load distribution does not result in overloading any axle.

Towing stability also depends on keeping the center of gravity as low as possible. Load heavy items on the floor and over the axles. When loading additional items, be sure to maintain even side-to-side weight distribution and proper tongue weight. The total weight of the trailer and its contents must never exceed the total weight rating of the trailer (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, or “GVWR”).

Do not transport people, containers of hazardous substances, or flammable liquids. The exception is fuel in the tank of vehicles or equipment being hauled.

Loading trailer steps

· Couple the trailer to the tow vehicle.

· Place blocking under rear of trailer so the weight of the cargo does not raise the front of the trailer during loading.

· Remove ramps from storage position and secure to rear of trailer. Adjust ramp position to align with equipment tires or tracks.

NOTICE

Ramps are not rated for load bearing capacity. They will NOT support the load bearing capacity of the trailer.

Do not overload ramps.

· Load the cargo on trailer with approximately 60% of the cargo in the front half of the trailer

www.fmcsa.dot.gov

⚠ WARNING

Shifting cargo can result in loss of control of the trailer, and can lead to death or serious injury.

Tie down all loads with proper sized fasteners, chains, straps, etc.

· Secure ramps to trailer.

· Remove blocking under rear of trailer.

Driving with a trailer

Driving a vehicle with a trailer in tow is vastly different from driving the same vehicle without a trailer in tow. Acceleration, maneuverability and braking are all diminished with a trailer in tow. It takes longer to get up to speed, you need more room to turn and pass, and more distance to stop when towing a trailer.

With ideal road conditions the maximum recommended speed for safely towing a trailer is 55 mph. Driving too fast can cause the trailer to sway thus increasing the possibility for loss of control. Additionally, your tires may overheat increasing the possibility of a blowout.

You will need to spend time adjusting to the different feel and maneuverability of the tow vehicle with a loaded trailer. Because of the significant differences in all aspects of maneuverability when towing a trailer the hazards and risks of injury are also much greater than when driving without a trailer.

The trailer will change the handling characteristics of the tow 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:

· When towing a trailer, you will have decreased acceleration, increased stopping distance, and increased turning radius.

· When encountering trailer sway take your foot off the accelerator and steer as little as possible in order to stay on the road. Use small “trim-like” steering adjustments. Do not attempt to steer out of the sway or you will only make the swaying worse. Do not apply the tow vehicle brakes to correct trailer swaying. On the other hand, application of the trailer brakes alone will tend to straighten out the combination especially when going downhill.

· Check rearview mirrors frequently to observe trailer and traffic.

· Be aware of trailer height, especially when approaching bridges, roofed areas and trees.

· Be alert for 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.

· Anticipate the trailer “swaying.” Swaying can becaused by excessive steering, wind gusts, roadway edges, or by the trailer reaction to the pressure wave created by passing trucks and busses.

· Use 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.

You are responsible for keeping your vehicle and trailer in control and for all the damage that is caused if you lose control of your vehicle and trailer.

Find an open area with little or no traffic for your first practice. Before you start towing the trailer, you must follow all of the instructions for inspection, testing, loading and coupling. Also, before you start towing, adjust the mirrors so you can see the trailer as well as the area to the rear of it.

Drive slowly at first, 5 mph or so and turn the wheel to get the feel of how the tow vehicle and trailer combination responds. Next, make some right and left hand turns. Watch in your side mirrors to see how the trailer follows the tow vehicle. Turning with a trailer attached requires more room.

It will take practice to learn how to back up a tow vehicle with a trailer attached. Take it slow. Before backing up, get out of the tow vehicle and look behind the trailer to make sure that there are no obstacles.

Some drivers place their hands at the bottom of the steering wheel, and while the tow vehicle is in reverse, “think” of the hands as being on the top of the wheel. When the hands move to the right (counter-clockwise, as you would do to turn the tow vehicle to the left when moving forward), the rear of the trailer moves to the right.

Conversely, rotating the steering wheel clockwise with your hands at the bottom of the wheel will move the rear of the trailer to the left while backing up. Be careful not to allow the trailer to turn too much as it will hit the rear of the tow vehicle. To straighten the rig either pull forward or turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction.

Safe towing tips

· Use your turn signals well in advance.

· Use your mirrors to verify that you have room to change lanes or pull into traffic.

· Use lower gears for climbing and descending grades

· Do not ride the brakes while descending grades; they may get so hot that they stop working. Then you will potentially have a runaway tow vehicle and trailer.

· Do not apply the tow vehicle brakes to correct extreme trailer swaying. Instead, lightly apply the trailer brakes with the hand controller.

· Make regular stops once each hour to confirm that: the coupler is secure to the hitch and is locked, electrical connectors are made, and there is appropriate slack in safety chains.

Uncoupling

To Uncouple your trailer follow these steps:

1. Park the trailer on a firm level surface and block trailer tires.

2. Disconnect electrical connector.

3. Remove padlock from the latch

4. Disconnect safety chains from tow vehicle.

5. Unlock the coupler and open it.

6. Carefully lift trailer off hitch ball and gently set trailer tongue on the ground.

7. Replace the padlock on the latch and lock it.

8. Drive tow vehicle forward.

9. Visit rentquips.com/return to end your rental period.