Below are some frequently asked questions and some helpful tips in the use and maintenance of your clerking trailer.
What should I consider when choosing a tow vehicle?
The weight of the trailer and the weigh capacity of the trailer are the major considerations when determining a tow vehicle. There is lots to consider.
When considering a towing vehicle, keep in mind certain requirements for safe and easy use.
1. Transmission – The transmission can be manual or automatic, but for most people, an automatic transmission will control engine loads better.
2. Power – Make sure your towing vehicle has adequate power to tow your trailer on the type of roads you will be using. Factors to consider are engine power, cooling capabilities, and axle ratio. Discuss the towing capabilities of your vehicle with both your tow vehicle dealer.
3. Tires & Suspension – It is important to make sure that your tow vehicle tires and suspension have a sufficient rating to handle the additional capacity needed to tow a trailer. Check with your tow vehicle dealer and owner’s manual for what type of tires and tire pressures are required. If your tow vehicle is equipped with air shocks, do not use the air shocks as a load leveling device to level the tow vehicle/ trailer combination once it is hitched up.
4. Hitch – Make sure that your towing vehicle is equipped with a weight distributing hitch that has a rating at least equal to the GVWR. Make sure that it is installed per the hitch manufacturer’s instructions, and that it meets the tow vehicle’s requirements for fit and performance.
5. Sway Control – Make sure to install a sway control system that is compatible with both your hitch and tow vehicle. Have it installed and properly adjusted per the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Safety Equipment – Make sure to install proper safety equipment such as towing mirrors. In most states they are required by law. Most styles available are not permanent and can be easily installed and removed. Check with your dealer for correct types and methods of installation. Also make sure to install proper hitch wiring to supply 12 volt power to the trailer for turn signal and brake light operations.
How do I connect my truck to pull the clerking trailer?
To ensure safe towing, make sure you have a suitable vehicle, and hitch for your Auction Trailer. It is the trailer owner’s responsibility to correctly match the combination of tow vehicle and Auction Trailer. Contact a hitch specialist, who can help you match your tow vehicle and hitch, and equip you with a properly installed brake controller.
- Make sure the ball on your hitch matches the coupler size on the Auction Trailer (unless optioned otherwise the standard ball is 2 5/16″).
- Use the jack to raise the coupler high enough for the hitch ball to slip beneath.
- Release the coupler-locking device (raise the lever).
- Back your tow vehicle into mounting position for your clerking trailer.
- When properly aligned lower the clerking trailer coupler onto the ball
- Continue raising the jack until it is fully raised.
- Latch the coupler-locking device (It is very important to lower the lever and insert a pin in the lock hole).
- Connect the safety chains by crossing the chains beneath the coupler and attach them to the tow vehicle.
- Allow enough slack for turning, but no dragging (Tip: if chains are too long, simply twist them).
- Connect the electrical plug on the clerking trailer to the plug on the tow vehicle. Check to make sure that all running, directional, and brake lights are functioning.
- Load properly approx. 60% in front of the axles (you want 10-15% of the trailer and load weight on the hitch. Please note: a floor plan with standard storage space on the rear of the trailer may start with a heavier hitch weight to compensate for rear load potential), balance the load side to side, and secure it (you don’t want it getting loose). Don’t overload, go by acceptable payload ratings or you may void the warranty.
- Take a trial run and familiarize yourself with the handling characteristics of your tow vehicle and clerking trailer.
Where to deliver the auction trailer to the site?
Beginning with the delivery Kuntry Kustom RV recommends the delivery of a clerking trailer or cashier trailer by an experienced driver with an appropriate driver’s license. The clerking trailer has electric brakes on the axles and so the towing truck needs to have an electric brake controller for the trailer brakes.
The delivery site for auction trailer should be reasonably level, dry, and well drained. Additionally there needs to be enough room allowed for the lines of crowds to register. Along with enough room for the crowd it is important, when choosing a site position for your auction trailer with restroom facilities and waste holding tanks, to plan for space to allow a pumper truck to have appropriate access to the auction trailer.
Are there brakes on the clerking trailer?
Your electric trailer brakes on your clerking trailer are basically the same as the brakes in your tow vehicle. Hydraulic pressure is used to expand the brake shoes in your tow vehicle, while an electric circuit is used to perform the same function on your Auction Trailer. This electric circuit uses a combination of electromagnets and the rotation of the brake drum to accomplish the movement of brake shoes against the drum.
Your electric brakes are wired to the towing vehicle through the electrical pigtail. When attached and properly adjusted, they distribute even braking power to both the towing vehicle and the clerking trailer.
Make sure to test the brakes on your Auction Trailer and adjust them as necessary, per the instructions of the brake controller manufacturer. Proper adjustment of the brakes can help to avoid dangerous swaying or jack-knifing on slippery pavement, or during an emergency stop.
It is very important to achieve the proper balance between the brake action of both the Auction Trailer and tow vehicle.
Both sets of brakes were designed to stop only the vehicle on which they were installed. If one set of brakes is asked to absorb the load of the other also, excess heat is formed, which increases brake lining wear. If the tow vehicle’s brakes are used alone, the weight of the Auction Trailer pushing on the back of the tow vehicle can cause jack-knifing. The correct method of brake synchronization has the Auction Trailer brakes being applied with a slight lead over the tow vehicle’s brakes. Make sure this proper balance is achieved when the controller is installed and adjusted.
Before taking your clerking trailer on a trip, check for proper brake action on a short road test. Apply the brakes several times at different speeds and pressure. If wheel lock-up occurs, the brake shoe adjustment is too tight. If no clerking trailer brake action is occurring, brake shoe adjustment is too loose. Do not exceed a speed of 25 mph during this road test. Refer to the Brake/Axle Owner’s Manual for adjustment procedures and troubleshooting guide.
Leveling the clerking trailer?
Another frequently asked question is if stabilizer jacks are available with clerking trailers from Kuntry Kustom RV. It is important to note that these stabilizing jacks should not be confused with leveling jacks. They should not be used to level your clerking trailer. The stabilizer jacks (stab jacks) are designed and intended to be used to remove the bounce of the spring axles and rubber tires of your clerking trailer when it is in “set up” position.
Finding a good level spot is the first required step to leveling your clerking trailer…then use your stabilizing jacks to firm things up. When the terrain calls for it, you can use blocks to help bring your tires into a level position. You should always avoid attempting to use the stabilizer jacks to level your clerking trailer.
Electrical power necessary on the site?
Most clerking trailers from Kuntry Kustom RV are powered with electricity. If you ever have trouble with any of the electric appliances in your clerking trailers (including the air conditioner(s) or optional heaters), the most common cause is not providing enough power for the proper operation of the clerking trailer. Always check your venue ahead of time to ensure that your power requirement will be met.
Each clerking comes with at least one shore line cord to provide power to the unit. Keep in mind, demand for greater auction trailer appliances has come with a greater need for electrical power. Coffee pots, computers, printers, copy machines all need electrical power. Clerks and customers love the amenities while operators have to plan for the increased electrical power usage.
Should I check my trailer before I pull it?
Yes! Make certain that the following items have been checked and rechecked before you take your clerking trailer on the road. Take a quick inventory of all items in your clerking trailer to be sure they are secured.
Make certain all items inside of your Auction Trailer are secured for travel. Also be sure doors inside the trailer are closed and latched securely.
Front Hitch Jack – The front hitch jack of your Auction Trailer should be raised as far as possible.
Stabilizer Jacks – Both the rear and front restroom trailer jacks should be raised as far as possible.
Steps – Check to be sure the steps are folded into an upright position and ready for transport.
Doors and windows – Check through your Auction Trailer to be sure that all doors and windows are closed and latched.
Pigtail – Check to be sure that the pigtail of your Auction Trailer is connected properly to the tow vehicle’s electrical plug in.
Lights – The following lights should be tested on both your Auction Trailer and the tow vehicle: for your Auction Trailer: brake lights, warning lights, flashers, clearance lights, taillights and head lights.
Hitch Coupler/Pin box- Inspect the hitch coupler or pin box on your Auction Trailer to be sure they are secured.
Power Cord – The 110 volt shoreline cords on your Auction Trailer must be unplugged from the external source and placed in its compartment with the storage hatch of your Auction Trailer fastened shut.
Water Hoses and Shore Line Cords on your Auction Trailer must be disconnected and all hose and pipe caps should be secured.
Tires – The proper air pressure for the tires on your Auction Trailer is printed on the sidewall of the tire. Air pressure should always be checked when Auction Trailer tires are cold in order to get the most accurate reading.
Before each trip check the tires of your Auction Trailer for uneven wear, road damage, foreign objects or excessive peeling or bulging. Heat generated by surface friction will increase the tire’s air pressure approximately six to nine psi, so do not bleed air out of a hot tire since you run the risk of leaving your Auction Trailer tires low on air pressure.
How to avoid bad smells from an auction trailer restroom?
Another frequently asked question if about toilets. If a restroom is built in the auction trailer model it will include a gravity flow toilet. This toilet does not operate the same as the toilet in your house. There is not a reservoir of water on the toilet to push the waste upon flushing. Instead the toilet opens directly over the waste holding tank. If there is odor in the restroom it is because the standard gravity toilet opens directly above the tank and may allow tank odor to penetrate into the bathroom.
In gravity-flush toilets, when water is added to the bowl and stays in the bowl it acts as an odor seal between the bowl and the tank. To continue performing this vital job, the seal and flush ball or valve must remain clean and smooth so that water does not leak down and out of the bowl. Be aware that it takes regular cleaning to ensure this function remains effective. Mineral and waste build up can damage the seal, meaning the protective water seal cannot function.
To help avoid bad smells from a gravity toilet, use tank treatments that are designed for those toilet systems. Proper waste tank ventilation is also important to make sure that tank treatments work properly and odor is kept to a minimum. So any odor may be more noticeable if the waste tank is not properly treated or ventilated.
So to help reduce odor in the restroom
- Add water before and after using the toilet. Keep a little water in bowl to seal against odors from the waste tank.
- Keep the toilet clean and make sure the seal in bottom of bowl is cleaned regularly
- Add water and chemicals to the waste tank to help reduce odors during use.
- Always dump and thoroughly clean waste tank upon returning trailer to storage. ( do not allow solids to dry and harden )
Many RV locations and manufacturers of toilets offer chemicals for a toilet waste tank. Some choices can be found at toilet manufacturer Dometic. Click Link For Chemical Options
Do you have customer service?
Of course! Our friendly and knowledgeable customer service manager is available to help with maintenance questions, service items or parts purchases.
Will I need to perform regular maintenance on may trailer?
Of course! It is important to keep your trailer clean on the inside on out and to check the exterior sealants/caulking every 90 days, including the roof sealants. For a full maintenance chart click toggle below.
MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
