DRIVING & JACKING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VARIOUS CONDITIONS
Some of the conditions you may encounter during your travels can cause damage to your trailer if you do not take appropriate actions. AOR has the following recommendations –
Bitumen Road
Depending on tyre type/construction start with 42 psi (290kPa) cold.
Dirt Driving
Reduce speed and reduce all tyre pressures on both the trailer and vehicle to 25psi (170kPa) cold or if the tyres are hot use 30psi (205kPa). This will increase the tread area of the tyres and provide better road holding. You will encounter fewer punctures and less vibration damage to both vehicles.
Corrugated Dirt Road
Reduce speed and reduce all tyre pressures on both the trailer and vehicle to 25psi (170kPa) cold or if the tyres are hot use 30psi (205kPa). This will increase the tread area of the tyres and provide better road holding. You will encounter fewer punctures and less vibration damage to both vehicles. If you encounter severe corrugations slow down and reduce tyre pressures to 20psi cold.
Sand Driving
Reduce speed and reduce all tyre pressures on both the trailer and vehicle to 18psi (125kPa). Try to drive on the harder sand. Maintain the momentum of your vehicle while negotiating soft sand and stay in the wheel ruts as they are usually harder than the soft sand. If your vehicle allows, select low range auto for beach access and high range 4WD for hard sand driving. It is advisable to turn the brake controller off as sudden stopping can bog the trailer.
River Crossings
Allow 20 minutes cooling of your bearings before river crossings where water will cover the axles.
Always check and/or regrease bearings after deep crossings as required.
Never stop during river crossings as it can result in water ingress into your wheel bearings.
Safe Jacking
- Park the trailer on firm and level ground and leave hitched to vehicle where possible.
- Block the trailer wheel(s) on the opposite side securely so that no forward or rearward movement is possible.
- Jack up the trailer directly under the axle at the small tube welded to the axle.
- Secure the trailer on jack stands of adequate capacity front and rear
- DO NOT get under the trailer while it is jacked up