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

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 suddenly sway wildly at towing speed. Read the "Tongue Weight" section below.

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").

warning

An overloaded trailer can result in loss of control of the trailer, leading to death or serious injury.

Do not exceed the trailer Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) or an axle Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).

Do not load a trailer so that the weight on any tire exceeds its rating.

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 suddenly become unstable at high speeds.

If, on the other hand, there is too much tongue weight, the front wheels of the tow vehicle can be too lightly loaded and cause loss of steering control and traction, as well, 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).

The table below has "rules of thumb" for proper tongue weight.

In the table below, the second column notes the rule of thumb percentage of total weight of the trailer plus its cargo (Gross Vehicle Weight, or "GVW") that should appear on the tongue of the trailer. For example, a trailer with a gooseneck hitch, with a loaded weight of 12,000 pounds, should have 20-25% of 12,000 pounds on the tongue. That is, the example trailer would have 2,400 to 3,000 pounds on its tongue.

Tongue Weight as a Percentage of
Loaded Trailer Weight
Type of Hitch Percentage
Ball Hitch (or Bumper Hitch) 10-15%
Gooseneck Hitch 20-25%
Fifth Wheel Hitch 20-25%
warning

Improper tongue weight (load distribution) can result in loss of control of the trailer, leading to death or serious injury.

Make certain that tongue weight is within the allowable range.

Be sure to:

4.1. CHECKING TONGUE WEIGHT

To check the tongue weight, the tow vehicle and trailer must be on level ground, as they will be when the trailer is being towed.

If you know the weight on your tow vehicle axles when you are not towing a trailer, trailer tongue weight can be determined with the use of a truck axle scale.

The recommended method of checking tongue weight is to use an accessory called a "tongue weight scale." If a tongue weight scale is not available from your dealer, call Neo Manufacturing at 269-503-7630 for assistance.

An alternate method of checking tongue weight involves the use of a bathroom scale. The loaded trailer must be on a smooth and level surface, and you must block the trailer wheels, front and rear.

Checking Tongue Weight
Using a level and bathroom scale
warning

An unresExpressed trailer can fall off its support, resulting in serious injury or death.

Before checking tongue weight, block trailer wheels, front and rear.

The tongue weight can also be checked at an axle weighing scale.

4.2. SECURING THE 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.

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, ropes, straps, etc.

4.2.1. Loading Cargo (Open Trailer)

Couple the trailer to the tow vehicle before loading. This is essential for the bumper pull trailer because the tongue of a bumper pull trailer can rise during loading, before the cargo is properly distributed. To measure the tongue weight, you will have to uncouple the trailer after it is loaded.

Do not transport people, containers of hazardous substances, cans or containers of flammable substances, such as gasoline, kerosene, paint, etc. However, fuel in the tank of an off-road vehicle, or a car or motorcycle, etc. may be carried on your open trailer.

warning

Do not transport flammable, explosive, poisonous or other dangerous materials in your trailer.

Exceptions:

4.2.1.1. Preparing the Trailer for Loading

Before loading cargo onto the trailer:

If the deck or any required hold-down is damaged, do not load the cargo. Bring the trailer to your dealer or a competent repair service before using it to carry cargo.

warning

Damaged or loose "D"-rings can break, allowing cargo to become loose inside the trailer. Loose cargo can shift the center of gravity, and result in loss of control of the trailer.

Inspect "D"-rings, and test them for looseness before loading cargo.

Do not use a damaged or loose "D"-ring to secure cargo.

4.2.1.2. Loading a Rigid-deck Trailer

Open trailers have either a rigid-deck or a pivoting deck, depending on the exact model. This subsection describes loading a rigid-deck trailer.

Before loading a rigid-deck trailer, couple the trailer to the tow vehicle and make sure the rigid-deck is level. Do not load or unload the trailer when the deck is not level.

  1. Make sure the top of the ramp (or ramps) is secure to the trailer, and the bottom is resting on firm ground. Pockets may be provided to hold the ramp to the frame of the trailer.

  2. warning

    Load can suddenly move or topple, which can result in death or serious injury.

    D o not load or unload your open trailer unless it is prevented from tipping and is on firm and level ground.

  3. Load the cargo onto the trailer.
  4. Secure the cargo to the trailer using appropriate straps, chains and tensioning devices. 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.

  5. 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, ropes, straps, etc.

  6. Return the ramp(s) to their stowed position(s), and secure them so that they will not move during transit.

4.2.1.3. Loading a Pivoting-deck/Tilt-deck Trailer

Neo does not currently manufacture pivoting or tilt deck trailers.

4.2.2. Loading Cargo (Enclosed Trailer)

Couple the trailer to the tow vehicle before loading. The tongue of a bumper pull trailer can rise during loading, before the cargo is properly distributed. To measure the tongue weight, you will have to uncouple the trailer after it is loaded.

Do not transport people, containers of hazardous substances, cans or containers of flammable substances. However, fuel in the tank of an off-road vehicle, or a car or motorcycle, etc., may be carried inside of your enclosed cargo trailer.

warning

Do not transport people inside the trailer, even if it has living quarters. The transport of people puts their lives at risk and may be illegal.

warning

Do not transport flammable, explosive, poisonous or other dangerous materials in your trailer.

Exceptions:

4.2.2.1. Preparing the Trailer for Loading

Before loading cargo into your enclosed trailer, inspect the interior of the trailer.

Enclosed trailers may be fitted with "D"-ring hold-downs, and/or a track system that can be used to secure the cargo. Inspect the "D"-rings and track system for looseness or signs of bending before loading the cargo onto the trailer.

    warning

    Damaged or loose "D"-rings can break, allowing cargo to become loose inside the trailer. Loose cargo can shift the center of gravity, and result in loss of control of the trailer.

    Inspect "D"-rings, and test them for looseness before loading cargo.

    Do not use a damaged or loose "D"-ring to secure cargo.

4.2.2.2. Loading the Enclosed Trailer

Enclosed trailers may be fitted with a drop ramp door. The weight of the drop ramp door is partially held by a spring and cable counterbalance assembly. If this assembly is out of adjustment or worn out, it will not provide the expected assistance for slow and careful lowering and raising of ramp.

warning

A spring and cable counterbalance can inflict serious injury if it breaks, or if incorrectly adjusted.

Inspect the cable and cable ends each time the door is operated.

Do not attempt to service the counterbalance. Take the trailer to your dealer for service.

  1. Carefully lower the drop ramp to the ground.
  2. Load the cargo up the drop ramp and into the trailer. If the trailer has living quarters, the cargo area of your trailer will have ventilation openings near the floor. Do not block these ventilation openings. These openings are provided to exhaust potentially deadly fumes.

  3. warning

    Accumulation of hazardous fumes can cause death or serious injury.

    Do not block access to ventilation ports.

  4. Secure the cargo to the trailer using appropriate straps, chains and tensioning devices.
  5. Close the drop ramp door and secure the trailer door catch using a linchpin or other locking device, so that the catch and door cannot open while the trailer is being towed.
warning

If the door opens, your cargo may be ejected onto the road, resulting in death or serious injury to other drivers.

Always secure the door latch after closing. Place a linchpin in the catch.

5. CHECKING THE TRAILER BEFORE AND DURING EACH TOW

5.1. PRE-TOW CHECKLIST

Before towing, double-check all of these items:

5.2. MAKE REGULAR STOPS

After each 50 miles, or one hour of towing, stop and check the following items:

6. BREAKING-IN A NEW TRAILER

6.1. RETIGHTEN LUG NUTS AT FIRST 10, 25 & 50 MILES

Wheel lugs can shift and settle quickly after being first assembled, and must be checked after the first 10, 25 and 50 miles of driving. Failure to perform this check may result in a wheel coming loose from the trailer, causing a crash leading to death or serious injury.

warning

Lug nuts are prone to loosen after initial installation, which can lead to death or serious injury.

Check lug nuts for tightness on a new trailer or when wheel(s) have been remounted after the first 10, 25 and 50 miles of driving.

6.2. ADJUST BRAKE SHOES AT FIRST 200 MILES

Brake shoes and drums experience a rapid initial wear. The brakes must be adjusted after the first 200 miles of use, and each 3,000 miles thereafter. Some axles are fitted with a mechanism that will automatically adjust the brake shoes when the trailer is "hard braked" from a forward direction. Read your axle and brake manual to see if your brakes adjust automatically. If you do not have the axle and brake manual, call Neo Manufacturing at 269-503-7630 for a free copy.

A hard stop is used to:

If your trailer is not fitted with automatically adjusting brakes, the brakes will need to be manually adjusted. See section 8.2.5.2, "Manually Adjusting Brake Shoes," for instructions.

6.3. SYNCHRONIZING THE BRAKE SYSTEMS

Trailer brakes are designed to work in synchronization with the brakes on the tow vehicle. Do not use either brake system alone to stop the combined tow vehicle and trailer.

When the tow vehicle and trailer braking systems are synchronized, both braking systems contribute to slowing, and the tongue of the trailer will neither dive nor rise sharply.

warning

If trailer and tow vehicle brakes do not work properly together, death or serious injury can occur.

Road test the brakes in a safe area at no more than 30 m.p.h. before each tow

To insure safe brake performance and synchronization, read and follow the axle/brake and the brake controller manufacturers' instructions. If you do not have these instructions, call Neo Manufacturing at 269-503-7630 for a free copy.

7. ACCESSORIES

This chapter provides some basic information for the safe operation of several accessories. For many accessories, such as generators and LP appliances, the manufacturer of the accessory has also provided instructions. You must read and follow these instructions before using the accessory. If you are uncertain whether you have all of the instructions, call Neo Manufacturing at 269-503-7630 before operating the accessory. The following accessories are described in this section:

Many accessories introduce the risk of fire. If you have an accessory on your trailer, make sure you have a fire extinguisher charged and ready before operating the accessory. Check the fire extinguisher at least once a month. If the fire extinguisher is discharged even partially, it must be recharged. Follow the fire extinguisher manufacturer's instructions for recharging the extinguisher after use.

7.1. GASOLINE-POWERED ELECTRIC GENERATORS

If your trailer is equipped with a generator, you must have and follow the generator manufacturer's instructions. Carbon monoxide gas is present in the exhaust of all gasoline and diesel engines, as well as from other burning fuels such as LP gas and charcoal.

Carbon Monoxide is an odorless gas that can cause death. Be certain exhaust from any running engine or burning fuels can not accumulate in areas where people or animals are likely to be present. Conditions that can redirect exhaust fumes are, for example:

warning

Operating gasoline and diesel generators can lead to death or serious injury by:

Have a working carbon monoxide detector in the accommodation spaces before operating a generator.

Do not refuel a running generator or refuel near ignition sources.

Before starting the generator, check fuels and oil levels. The generator may have to run for two or three minutes before it allows drawing electricity from it. Read the generator instruction manual. If you do not have the generator instruction manual, call Neo Manufacturing at 269-503-7630 for a free copy.

Never exceed the capacity of the generator.

Before turning off the generator, remove the electrical load and let the engine to run for two or three minutes to cool the generator.

7.2. ACCESSORY BATTERY

Your trailer may be outfitted with an accessory battery that operates lighting, electric landing gear, slide-outs or other accessories. An accessory battery may be kept charged either by the tow vehicle or by the generator or shore power.

A disconnect switch may be provided to disconnect the accessory battery when you do not plan to be using the trailer for an extended period, such as seasonal storage. If there is no disconnect switch, then remove the cables from the battery terminals.

The accessory battery must be kept in a charged condition during storage. The battery could freeze and break if it becomes discharged.

7.3. SHORE POWER

Shore power is the delivery of electrical power from another source to a power inlet on your trailer. To connect your trailer to this source, you must have a "shore power" cord, specifically designed for this use. DO NOT USE AN ORDINARY EXTENSION CORD. The trailer end of this cord is connected to an electrical box on the trailer, sometimes referred to as a "motor base." This box contains circuit breakers and/or fuses and may include a power converter to change the shore power (usually 110 volts alternating current) into 12 volts direct current.

Do not assume that a shore power supply is correctly wired. Shore power may have incorrect polarity or not have the safety ground. Before connecting your trailer, test shore power by using a polarity and ground tester, which can be purchased at electronic stores.

If you have shore power, your trailer may be fitted with Ground-Fault Interrupting outlets (GFI). If you have GFI protection, you must periodically test the outlets by pressing the "TEST" button that is located on the GFI-equipped outlet.

warning

Shore power poses a risk of death due to electrocution or fire

7.4. LP GAS FUEL SYSTEM

LP gas systems are installed to operate a variety of appliances, such as stoves, refrigerators, heating units and electrical generators. The exhaust fumes from burning LP gas contain carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide gas is odorless and can cause death or serious brain injury if inhaled. The exhaust from LP appliances must be directed to the outdoors. You must have an operating carbon monoxide detector in the accommodation space of your trailer.

warning

You can die or be brain damaged by Carbon Monoxide.

Make certain the exhaust from LP appliances is directed to the outdoors.

Have a working carbon monoxide detector in the accommodation spaces of your trailer before operating any LP gas appliance.

Do not operate portable grills or stoves inside the trailer.

When used for the first time, or after a period of storage, the LP gas lines will be full of air and must be purged of air, before the appliances will stay lit. Have the LP gas lines purged by your trailer dealer, or an LP gas dealer.

An LP gas system is designed to operate with a supply of LP gas only, NOT natural gas. A natural gas supply is unsafe for the system's pressure regulation devices.

warning

Risk of death due to fire or explosion.

Only connect an LP gas system to a supply of LP gas, NOT natural gas.

Do not store LP gas tanks inside the trailer.

Only fill an LP gas tank 80% full.

Only fill the tank with LP gas (butane or propane).

Overfilled tanks can release gas and cause an explosion.

Keep the shutoff valve on your LP gas tank closed at all times, except when you are operating an LP gas appliance. Before opening the LP shutoff valve, turn off all LP gas appliances. If an appliance is on when you open the shutoff valve, LP gas will accumulate in the trailer, which can result in an explosion.

Do not use a wrench to open or close the shutoff valve. If the shutoff does not completely stop the flow of LP gas when it is hand-tightened, replace the shutoff valve.

LP gas leaks can result in fire or explosion. If your trailer is equipped with an LP gas system, it must also be equipped with an LP gas detector. The LP gas detector will be located near the floor to detect the heavier-than-air LP gas. If a leak is suspected, use a soapy water solution to search for the leak. Do not use a solution that contains ammonia or chlorine (common in window and other household cleaning compounds), because those chemicals will cause LP piping corrosion.

warning

Risk of fire or explosion

If LP gas is detected (by smell or by the LP gas detector):

Correct the source of LP gas leakage before using LP appliances.

Do not use a flame to locate the source of an LP gas leak.

LP gas is either propane or butane that is compressed into liquid form. LP gas must be completely vaporized before being burned. Butane gas will not operate if the outside temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

warning

Use Butane only when the temperature is above freezing (32 degrees F).

Propane gas will operate at temperatures as low as minus 44 degrees
Fahrenheit (-44 F).

Keep the regulator for the LP gas system (located near the LP gas tank) covered with a guard to protect it from road debris.

LP gas is prohibited on some roadways, bridges and tunnels. Check a map and with Departments of Transportation (or with the AAA) for travel routes that do not have such restrictions.

7.4.1. LP Gas System Troubleshooting

warning

Risk of fire or explosion

Never use a flame, heat lamp or hair dryer to thaw an LP gas regulator. Use an incandescent light bulb.

Do not remove the regulator cover or attempt to service the LP gas regulator.

7.5. VENDING & ACCESSORY DOORS

A vending or accessory door opens vertically and has a hinge along its top edge. These heavy doors are equipped with spring-assisted lifting, usually with a device known as a "gas spring." The gas spring lifting device is not designed to hold a vending door up. You must use the provided solid "prop rods" to hold a vending door in the open position.

warning

Gas springs lose their lifting capability with age and cold weather; and can cause the door to fall, resulting in injury.

Always hold the door open until the prop roads are in place.

Always use prop rods to hold vending or accessory doors open.

Be prepared to hold the weight of the door when removing the prop rod.

7.6. ELECTRIC-POWERED LANDING GEAR

The landing gear (also known as the jack) on your trailer may be powered with an electric motor. The landing gear is operated up or down using controls located near the landing gear.

If the motor does not operate, such as when the battery is fully discharged, the landing gear can be operated manually with a socket wrench