Exam 2 Flashcards
(119 cards)
Hitch ball
- the steel, ball shaped piece over which the trailer coupler latches
- diameters are 1 7/8 inch, 2 inch, 2 5/16 inch, 3 inch
Bumper hitch
- some trucks and SUVs have provisions on their rear bumpers for attaching a hitch ball for towing
- only good for light duty applications
Bolt-on hitch
- a permanent hitch ball and bracket that are welded or bolted directly to the tow vehicle
- can be a fixed tongue hitch, which includes the ball and platform or a receiver style with a removable draw bar
Class I hitch
- trailer hitch with a capacity up to 2000 pounds gross trailer weight, with up to 200 pounds of tongue weight
Class II hitch
- trailer hitch with a capacity up to 3500 pounds gross trailer weight, with 300 to 350 pounds of tongue weight
Class III hitch
- trailer hitch with a capacity up to 5000 pounds gross trailer weight, with 500 pounds of tongue weight
Class IV hitch
- trailer hitch with a capacity up to 10,000 pounds gross trailer weight, with 1000-2000 pounds of tongue weight
Class V hitch
- fifth wheel or gooseneck trailer hitch
Coupler
- the forward most part of the trailer tongue that drops over the hitch ball and latches
Fifth wheel hitch
- a class V hitch that mounts in the bed of a pickup truck.
- much smaller, but designed similar to those used on tractor trailers
Gooseneck
- a class V hitch that mounts on the bed of a pickup to engage a coupler on a trailer.
- ball sizes can be 2 5/16 inch or 3 inch
Gross combined vehicle weight rating (GCVWR)
- total combined weight of truck and trailer including all passengers, fuel, fluids and cargo
Gross trailer weight rating (GTWR)
- the manufacturer-specified recommended maximum weight of a trailer when fully loaded
Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
- the manufacturer-specified recommended maximum weight of a vehicle when fully loaded
Safety chains
- these chains attach to the eyelets adjacent to the receiver
- they keep the trailer connected should the coupler come unhooked from the hitch ball
Sway control
- a system that uses a shock absorber to resist side to side swaying movement of a trailer tongue sometimes caused by passing vehicles or cross winds
Surge brake system
- self contained system used on trailers
- have a master cylinder in the trailer coupler
- when you apply the brakes in the tow vehicle, the initial slowing compresses the piston inside the master cylinder to apply braking force at the trailer wheels
Tongue weight
- the downward weight applied by the towable equipment on the hitch ball
- tongue weight should be around 7 to 8 percent of GTW and should not be more than 10% of the GTW
Torsion bar
- a type of suspension that uses bars that twist rather than coil or leaf springs
- weight distributing hitch A receiver style hitch system that includes additional equipment such as spring bars that work to distribute trailer tongue loads to the trailer axles and to the front axle of the tow vehicle
Trailer maintenance
1) before every trip
1) trailer lights and turn signals
2) trailer brakes
3) trailer hitch - is it stable?
4) trailer safety cables
5) spare trailer and truck tires and tools to change a tire, including a jack
6) trailer floorboards
7) wasp nets and other insects
Trailer maintenance
2) every 3-4 months
1) tires (tread,inflation,dry rot) including spare
2) jacks
3) floorboards
4) lights
5) hitch welds, safety chain welds, snaps
6) wheel chocks
7) grease hitch ball as needed
Trailer maintenance
3) yearly maintenance
1) inspection of frame
2) inspection of wiring
3) grease all hinges, springs
4) bearings checked and repacked
5) inspection of brakes and emergency breakaway cable, pin and control box
Loading and Unloading
- SAFETY IS THE KEY FACTOR
1) horse should be trained to load before planning a trip
2) handler should always have an escape route
3) horses should not be tied to the trailer while horses are loading and unloading
4) door should be held open or opened wide
5) horse should be led straight towards the trailer
And handler should walk in first
6) encouragement can be provided with rope or lunge whip if needed
7) once loaded handler can exit and door should be secured after last horse is loaded
8) unloading depends on trailer either horse will back out or can have space to turn and lead the horse out
9) important to be clear of the horse before he gets off the trailer
Traveling with horses
- variables to consider such as length of trip, out of state, more than one horse and if with mare and foal
1) plan to have all traveling paperwork in order before leaving - needs a current minimum of 12 month coggins test (tested negative for equine infectious anemia)
2) consider the stress on the horse - ensuring proper ventilation (travel at night when temp is cooler if in summer)
- have hay available for reassurance (make sure hay bag is hung where horse can’t get foot caught)
- if horse is a nervous traveler bringing a second well-seasoned horse may help calm or hanging a mirror can calm a nervous herd bound horse
3) how long to travel with a horse before stopping - approximately every 400 miles or 6 hours
- take time for horse to stand on trailer without having to balance bc not moving
- offer horse water at each stop
- try to keep horse on trailer until reach destination
- every 10-12 hours horse needs a longer break from balancing (don’t need to unload but needs to stand quietly on trailer)
- if you do unload recommended to find a layover barn with a stall or small paddock for horse
4) double check everything before you leave again - check hitch, all doors, windows and make sure all equipment is secure
- do not travel with drop down windows open unless face guard or screen is there