Section Ill. OPERATION UNDER USUAL CONDITIONS
2-6. Before-Operation Service
the truck is straightened to follow the trailer.
Considerable experience should be gained in
Before operation, the trailer must be inspected and
backing before attempting to maneuver in close
serviced as outlined by the before-operation services
listed in table 3-1 paragraph 3-4.
c. When stopping, it must be remembered that
2-7. Coupling Trailer to Towing Vehicle
the momentum of the trailer and its load have been
added to that of the towing vehicle and that the
a. Secure lunette of trailer to pintle on rear of
trailer brakes cannot be operated from the truck.
towing vehicie. Make certain pintle is closed and
Care must be exercised, therefore, to slow the
latched.
vehicle for a stop through a greater distance than
b. Hook the trailer safety chains to the towing
that required for the truck alone.
vehicle.
2-9. Uncoupling Trailer From Towing Vehicle
c. Insert the end of the intervehicular cable into
a. Apply the trailer brakes by pulling the hand
towing vehicle's receptacle. Test the operation of
lever toward the right side of the trailer.
the lights.
b. Disconnect the intervehicular cable from truck
d. Raise the support leg by pulling out on the
receptacle.
support leg plunger handle and moving the leg
c. Remove the safety chains from the rear of the
backward. Allow the plunger to drop into place as
truck.
the leg reaches its upper position.
d. Pull out the support leg plunger handle and
e. Makc certain the parking brake has been
allow the support leg to drop to its lowered or
released.
vertical position. Release the plunger handle and
2-8. Driving Truck and Trailer
allow the plunger to snap into place and lock the leg
a. When tinning corners, allowance must be
into position.
made for the fact that the trailer will have a turning
e. Lift the latch on the truck pintle to raise the
radius shorter than that of the truck and will "cut
top half of the pintle. Lift the lunette clear of the
the corner".
pintle.
b. When backing, the towing vehicle should be
f. The towing vehicle may now be driven away.
started back in a direction opposite to that desired
for the trailer. After the trailer has started it's turn,
Section IV. OPERATION UNDER UNUSUAL CONDITIONS
(4) Park trailer on planking or brush when
2-10. Operation Under Unusual Conditions
ground is muddy or covered with snow, to prevent
a. General. These trailers require no special
tires from freezing to the ground. Release brakes
preparations for operation under extreme heat or
and check wheels if necessary.
cold, other than the use of proper lubricants. For
c. Extreme Heat.
proper lubrication under these conditions. refer to
(1) Great care must be exercised to insure that
the lubricat ion chart (fig. 3-1).
the wheel bearings are properly packed with the
b. Extreme Cold.
lubricant specified in the lubrication chart (fig. 3-
(1) Wheel bearings should be throughly
1).
cleansed and handpicked with the lubricant spec-
(2) Shield tires from direct heat and rays of the
ified in the lubrication chart (fig. 3-1) as soon
sun whenever possible. It is imperative that proper
as the tactical situation permits.
tire pressures be maintained (para 4-27).
(2) Check air pressure of tires with tire
(3) The canvas top should be exposed to the
pressure gage before operating trainer (para 4-27).
direct rays of the sun as little as possible.
Do not rely upon appearance of tire for inflation
d. Sand or Dust.
test. Look for tires frozen to the ground and frozen
(1) Operation under extremely sandy or dusty
flat spots where in contact with the ground during
c o n d i t i o n s necessitates f r e q u e n t inspection.
long halts.
cleaning. and lubrication of the trailer working
(3) Carefully remove large collections of ice
parts.
and caked snow from under the fender and where
suspended from electric cables.
2-2
