Draw-Tite 63181 User Manual [en, es, fr]

63181 Adjustable Tow Bar Instructions
READ, UNDERSTAND, FOLLOW AND SAVE
THESE INSTRUCTIONS
• Read, understand and follow all instructions before installing and using this product.
• Never allow anyone unfamiliar with these instructions to use this product. Read, understand and follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer of the product(s) on which this product will be installed.
• Installation of this product must conform to the following mounting instructions.
• Save these instructions for use as a reference in the future.
WARNING Failure to follow these warnings and instructions may result
in property damage, serious bodily injury, and/or death.
Installation Notes
This tow bar is to be installed by a professional installer/fabricator experienced in selecting vehicle attachment areas with adequate strength.
Park vehicles on level ground for installation.
The coupler must be level within 5º when attachment is complete.
Bumper attachments should be reinforced as shown below.
Attachments to the towed vehicle should be bolted
Keep mounting surface of brackets as close to being flush with the front of the
bumper as possible to allow free vertical travel.
Attach tow bar to properly mounted brackets with pins and secure with attached wire.
Adjust coupler for proper fit to the ball; see
Avoid suspension and brake components with attachments.
coupler adjustment on page 7.
not welded.
Towed vehicle attachment – NOT INCLUDED – (Shown for demonstration purposes only)
A structure must be fabricated to allow the tow bar to be attached to the frame of the towed vehicle. Some typical frame attachments are shown below. See your professional Installer/Fabricator to have attachments made and installed.
If the bumper is used for support, it must be reinforced with frame attachments. A typical way of reinforcing a bumper is shown below.
These frame attachments should be attached within 2” of where the tow bar brackets are to be attached. These frame attachments should be made from at least ½” X 2” flat bar stock. Never attach through plastic fascia covering a bumper. This fascia must be trimmed, with customer approval, to provide a secure attachment.
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Tow Bar Assembly
1. Attach the 2 front arms to the coupler using the (2) bolt blocks, (4) toothed washers and (4) 3/8” locknuts as shown in the drawing. Do not fully tighten the locknuts at this time. The front arms should be secured to the coupler but still able to swing open and closed.
2. Insert a steel insert into the open end of each front arm, and secure each one with (2) 3/8” X 2” bolts, (4) washers and (2) 3/8” locknuts. Tighten these locknuts to 32 ft-lbs.
3. Slide a rear arm over the remaining portion of the 2 steel inserts, and secure each one with (2) 3/8” X 2” bolts, (4) washers and (2) 3/8” locknuts. Tighten these locknuts to 32 ft-lbs.
4. Attach a pivot bracket assembly to the end of each arm with a ½” X 3.50 bolt and ½” flange locknut. Tighten locknut until it is snug against the pivot bracket, but not overtighten. Pivot brackets must be free to swing on the end of the arms. Back the nut off slightly, if necessary, so that pivot brackets can swing freely.
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Installation
1. Center tow bar on attachment surface, spreading side arms to at least 24”, but no more than 41”, and mark tow bar bracket centerlines.
2. Using tow bar brackets as a template, drill (2) two ½” holes into attachment surface, each side.
3. Attach tow bar brackets to attachment surface using the ½” x 1¾” Grade 5 bolts supplied with the tow bar.
4. Fasten the tow bar brackets with flat washers and locknuts as shown below.
5. Tighten these fasteners to 75 ft-lbs.
Note: If longer bolts are needed, use ½”-13 Grade 5 bolts.
Warning: Mounting bolts must point in fore-aft direction. Do not mount bolts in up-down or left-right direction.
4
Hook-up
1. Attach tow bar to tow bar brackets with (2) two wire-lock pins as shown below.
2. Attach tow bar coupler to 2” ball of towing vehicle.
3. Center coupler on tow bar side arms so that tow bar is symmetrical about the
centerline of the vehicles.
4. Tighten the (4) four 3/8” nuts which attach the tow bar side arms to the coupler to 31
ft-lbs.
5. Install safety chains as described in the next section.
6. Connect an adequate wiring harness so that stop lights, turn signals and tail lights
operate on towed vehicle in conjunction with towing vehicles lights.
7. Read and follow warning labels on tow bar and shown below.
5
Safety Chains Use safety chains and quick links rated to at least 5000 lbs (purchased separately).
1. Connect safety chains to both vehicles and the tow bar itself as shown below.
2. Attach chains to tow bar with 7/16” Grade 2 U-bolts and flanged locknuts as shown
below. Tighten each flanged locknut until at least 1/8” of U­bolt threads extend past locknut.
3. The chains at each vehicle will be looped to themselves using
quick links as shown below. The nuts on the quick links must have full thread engagement.
4. Cross two chains under coupler and connect to chain bracket on
hitch or to frame of towing vehicle, allowing only enough slack to permit turning.
5. Connect the other two chains to the frame of the towed vehicle
as close to the front of the vehicle as possible. Allow only e up and down pivoting of the tow bar.
nough slack to permit the
Usage Notes
Never exceed the lowest rating of any part of your towing system.
Use this tow bar to tow only vehicles in good condition. Do not tow vehicles with
Inflate tires of towed vehicle to the maximum pressure recommended by tire
Towing mirrors on both sides of towing vehicle add to safety by increasing rear
damaged steering or suspension systems.
manufacturer.
visibility and are required by state laws.
6
Allow more time for accelerating, stopping and maneuvering. Slow down well in advance of sharp curved, obstacles, or lane changes and before starting down hills.
If vehicle combination sways or seems unstable, gradually slow down, pull off the road to a safe location, and inspect all connections. Instability increases with speed, and you may have to tow at a lower speed. Discontinue towing if instability persists. A combination that is stable and easy to control at low speed may be unstable at a higher speed. Stability decreases when going downhill. Start downhill slowly and maintain a low speed.
Do not make sharp turns from a complete stop.
Reduce speeds on rough roads.
Special instructions for using a pickup truck or van as the towing vehicle
Some step bumpers restrict turning. Use extra caution. Turning too sharply can damage the tow bar, the hitch ball, and the bumper.
Coupler
Coupler adjustment
1. With coupler locked onto a 2” ball, tighten the locknut until all parts are clamped solid. Do not overtighten. Just tighten enough to fully c
ompress
the helical spring.
2. Back locknut off ½ to ¾ turn.
3. Check for proper couple/uncouple operation.
Coupler repair kit:
Part no 3033. Contains: Locking lever assembly, tapered coil spring, ball clamp, hardened washer, helical spring, locknut and instructions.
Replacement Parts
Bracket Kit: Part no. 40602. Contains: (2) Tow bar brackets, (4) ½-13 X 1-¾ Grade 5 bolts, (4) Flat washers, (4) Locknuts and (2) Wire-lock pins.
Safety Chain Kit
: Part no. 40604. Contains: (4) 30” 5000 lb chains, (4) 5/16” quick-
links, (4) 7/16-14 Grade 2 U-bolts and (8) Flanged locknuts.
Wire-lock pin
Cequent Towing Products - Plymouth, MI Technical Service: (888) 521-0510
www.cequentgroup.com 63181N Rev A 7-18-08
: Part no. 2471.
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