IF YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR VEHICLE HAS A DEFECT, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH OR COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH, YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY INFORM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) IN ADDITION TO NOTIFYING RANCO TRAILERS.

IF NHTSA RECEIVES SUFFICIENT SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, IT MAY OPEN AN INVESTIGATION AND IF IT FINDS THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS IN A GROUP OF VEHICLES, IT MAY ORDER A RECALL AND REMEDY CAMPAIGN. HOWEVER, NHTSA CANNOT BECOME INVOLVED IN INDIVIDUAL PROBLEMS BETWEEN YOU, YOUR DEALER OR RANCO TRAILERS.

TO CONTACT NHTSA, YOU MAY EITHER CALL THE AUTO SAFETY HOT LINE TOLL FREE AT 1-800-424-9393 (OR 366-0123 IN WASHINGTON DC AREA) OR WRITE TO NHTSA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20590. YOU CAN ALSO OBTAIN OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY FROM THE HOT LINE.

MAINTENANCE SHOULD BE PERFORMED BY A RANCO DEALER OR OTHER QUALIFIED SERVICE FACILITY THAT REGULARLY PROVIDE SUCH SERVICE. ALTERATIONS TO A RANCO TRAILER SHOULD NOT BE MADE WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING RANCO.

ALTERATIONS COULD AFFECT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE TRAILER AND VOID THE WARRANTY. WELDING OR OTHER ALTERATIONS SHOULD NEVER BE MADE TO ANY AIR RESERVOIR, WHEEL, RIM, AIR CHAMBER OR SPRING.

THE GROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING (GAWR) THAT IS STAMPED ON THE CERTIFICATE PLATE IS THE STRUCTURAL CAPACITY OF THE LOWEST RATED COMPONENT OF THE SUSPENSION, SPRINGS, HUBS, DRUMS, WHEELS, RIMS, BEARINGS, AXLES OR TIRES.

IF COMPONENTS ARE SUBSTITUTED THAT AFFECT GAWR AND ARE OF LESS CAPACITY THAN THOSE ORIGINALLY INSTALLED, THE GAWR ON THE CERTIFICATE PLATE MUST BE LOWERED TO THE CORRESPONDING LOWER CAPACITY BY ADDING AN "ALTERED VEHICLE" LABEL. IF COMPONENTS ARE SUBSTITUTED THAT ARE OF EQUAL OR GREATER CAPACITY THAT THOSE ORIGINALLY INSTALLED, THEN THE GAWR LABEL NEED NOT BE CHANGED.

PROTECTIVE FILMS SUCH AS PAINTS AND OTHER COATINGS, ARE NECESSARY TO PREVENT CORROSION AND TO PROTECT THE METAL SURFACES. TRAILERS THAT OPERATE IN ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE CONDUCTIVE TO SEVERE CORROSIONS MAY REQUIRE MORE OR DIFFERENT PROTECTIVE COATING THAT THOSE USUALLY APPLIED AS STANDARD. CHECK WITH YOUR RANCO DEALER OR THE FACTORY FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ON COATINGS FOR CORROSIVE MATERIALS.

THERE ARE "WARNING" AND "CAUTION" DECALS PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED ON ALL RANCO TRAILERS. THESE SHOULD BE FOLLOWED TO THE LETTER BY ALL PERSONNEL OPERATING OR WORKING ON THE VEHICLE.

1. Before backing under the trailer, be sure that the truck 5^th wheel is properly greased and that the 5^th wheel height is compatible with the 5^th wheel pin height
2. check spring brakes to insure that they are properly set so that the trailer will not slide back when the tractor is backed under the 5^th wheel. This trailer is equipped with spring brakes that will lock the brakes when all air lines are disconnected from the tractor and will only release after the air pressure in the air tanks exceeds 50 pounds.

1. starting procedure and controls

1. after backing the tractor under the trailer and insuring that the 5^th wheel is locked by attempting to pull ahead, the air lines and electrical connectors should be connected properly, ensuring that the service and emergency glad hands are connected to the service and emergency glad hands on the trailer. all glad hands should be color coded, service (blue) and emergency (red). after proper connection is made, the valve in the tractor that allows air to flow to the trailer should be opened.
2. while air pressure is being built in the trailer tanks, the operator should perform the following inspections and procedures to insure that the trailer is in operational condition when the air pressure is built up sufficiently to release the brakes.

1. raise the parking legs of the trailer to the travel position. this can be manual or crank.
2. check the tires for proper inflation and to insure that there are no cuts or bruises that will lead to tire failure on the road. while checking the tires, the operator should also observe the level of oil in the stemco oil seals (refer to lubrication section).
3. turn on tractor lights and check all trailer lights for proper operation. replace lights or bulbs in any that is not operating properly.
4. at this time the air pressure should have built up sufficiently to have released the brakes on the trailer. check to see that all four brakes have in fact released. if they have not release, check to see why air is not getting to them.
5. after brakes have released, check for air leaks. Listen for any air leaks in the air operating system as well as in the air brake system. any leak should be FIXED prior to attempting to operate the trailer.

operator should be alert at all times when raising trailer and warn persons to stand clear. you must not operate this equipment unless you have been trained in its operation. Remember! an untrained or careless operator subjects himself and others to death or serious injury. operator should follow the safety precautions in this manual and the precautions set forth by your company.

before dumping, operator should check dump site for a firm level surface. check for overhead power lines or other structures that could be a danger.

cylinders can not withstand side pressure from a dump unit leaning. make sure the tractor trailer unit is lined up straight with each other (not jack knifed) when dumping. avoid dumping in a heavy cross wind, dump with unit facing into the wind.

do not overload dump unit. the load must be evenly distributed during loading and unloading.

the operator should remain at the controls during the entire dumping operation. if the unit starts to lean to one side, the operator should immediately lower the body. it is important to feather the control valve into the hold position to avoid a pressure spike in the cylinder.

do not jerk or slingshot dump unit in an attempt to free a sticking or frozen load. pulling forward (or backing up) and hitting the brakes or lowering the body part way and then quickly engaging the valve in the "hold" or "raise" position will cause a tremendous pressure spike. this pressure spike may bulge or split one of the larger stages of the cylinder.

when lowering a load that is sticking, the dump unit must be feathered down slowly to avoid a high pressure build up in the cylinder. do not operate cylinder at pressures above 2,000 p.s.i.

the unit must be lowered completely before moving. do not drive with p.t.o. or hydraulic pump engaged.

hydraulic hoses should be inspected regularly and replace if worn or damaged. hydraulic oil should be changed regularly.

a light film of oil on each plunger or stage of a telescopic cylinder indicated good cylinder operation. after many cycles of the cylinder, a small accumulation of oil may be noticed on the plungers or sleeves at the head nuts. this should not be mistaken for packing leakage

CYLINDER SHOULD BE FREE OF ENTRAPPED AIR. IT IS ADVISABLE TO BLEED AIR FROM CYLINDER WEEKLY FOR A SMOOTH OPERATION.

IF OSCILLATING 5^TH WHEEL IS USED IT MUST BE BLOCKED SO IT WILL NOT OSCILLATE.