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DA7000 SERIES GENERATORS • OPERATION AND PARTS MANUAL — REV. #5 (01/20/11) — PAGE 45
TRAILER GUIDELINES
PINTLE HITCH COUPLER
A pintle eye coupler (Figure F) connects to a pintle-hook
hitch that is located on or under the rear bumper of the tow
vehicle. This system of coupling a trailer to a tow vehicle is
sometimes referred to as a “lunette eye, tow ring or G.I.
hitch.”
Figure F. Pintle Hitch Coupler
A pintle hitch trailer may be fi tted with a tongue jackstand
that can raise and lower the coupler. The tongue jack is
mounted to the A-frame (front or tongue) part of the trailer.
By rotating the jack handle clockwise, the jack will extend
and raise the tongue of the trailer.
The load rating of the coupler and the necessary pintle
hitch size are listed on the trailer tongue. You must provide
a pintle hitch and pintle coupler for your tow vehicle, where
the load rating of the pintle hitch and pintle coupler is equal
to or greater than that of your trailer.
Also, the pintle hitch size must be the same as the pintle
coupler size. If the hitch is too small, too large, underrated,
loose or worn, the trailer can come loose from the tow
vehicle, and may cause death or serious injury.
Pintle Coupler and Pintle Hook
Before each tow, check the locking device that secures the
coupler to the pintle hook assembly.
The pintle hook lever must be able to operate freely and
automatically snap into place into the latched position.
Lightly oil the pivot points and sliding surfaces with SAE30W
motor oil to prevent rust and help ensure proper operation
of the latching mechanism.
If you see or feel evidence of wear, such as fl at spots,
deformations, pitting or corrosion, on the pintle hook or
coupler, immediately have your dealer inspect them to
determine the proper action to prevent possible failure of
the ball andcoupler system. All bent or broken coupler parts
must be replaced before towing the trailer.
THE TOW VEHICLE, PINTLE HITCH AND PINTLE
COUPLER MUST HAVE A RATED TOWING CAPACITY
EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE TRAILER Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE PINTLE HITCH BE OF THE
SAME SIZE AS THE PINTLE COUPLER.
The coupler size and load rating (capacity) are marked on
the coupler. Hitch capacity is marked on the hitch.
Rock the pintle eye coupler to make sure it is secured
tightly to the hitch.
Wipe the inside and outside of the pintle coupler. Clean
and inspect it visually for cracks and deformations. Feel
the inside of the coupler for worn spots and pits.
Be sure the coupler is secured tightly to the tongue of the
trailer. All coupler fasteners must be visibly solid against
the trailer frame.
WARNING
Coupler-to-hitch mismatch can result in uncoupling,
leading to death or serious injury.
Be sure the LOAD RATING of the pintle hitch hook is
equal or greater than the load rating of the pintle eye
coupler.
Be sure the SIZE of the pintle hitch hook matches the
size of the pintle eye coupler.
WARNING
A worn, cracked or corroded pintle hitch hook can fail
while towing, and may result in death or serious injury.
Before coupling trailer, inspect the pintle hitch hook for
wear, corrosion and cracks.
Replace worn or damaged pintle hitch hook.