8 safety measures for transporting Ver-Mac equipment

Construction season is ramping up, which means Ver-Mac units will be traveling to and from work zones on a regular basis.

Before hitching them up and driving away, make sure to observe the following safety measures to avoid accidents and malfunctions.

1. Ensure the power is off.

• Transportation: turn off the sign by blanking to avoid messages displaying while you’re on the road, confusing drivers.

How to blank a sign on the V-Touch Controller

• Working on sign: disconnect the regulator to avoid injuries.

Regulator

2. Visually inspect the unit

• Make sure all nuts and bolts are present and adequately tightened, particularly on the hitch.
• Make sure there are no loose parts in the battery box to avoid sparks and short-circuits that could cause fires. Even small loose parts such as nuts or bolts can become fire hazards.

Clean battery box	Secure pin for touch screen. Ensure all wings and nuts are secure.

• Check that everything (sign enclosure, cabinet, plastic boxes, solar panels) is securely bolted and fastened. Close all compartments, make sure latches are well adjusted and that any locks are securely closed. 

• Ensure jacks and telespars are lifted (in transport position) and correctly pinned so they do not slip and get damaged.
• Inspect the condition of jacks and ensure they are well greased prior to transport.

Jack in transport position

• Verify that there are no external loose parts, tools, material, or debris on the unit, including snow or ice on solar panels. They can become projectiles when you take off and reach high speeds.
• Inspect the tires:
  • Check that tires have adequate pressure and that the thread isn’t worn out past safety standards.
  • Make sure your tire lug nuts and axle bearings are tight and in good condition. If they are loose, or if the tire rims move from side to side, do not transport the unit. Correct the issue before going on the road.
  • Ensure the rubber hub protectant is present.

PCMS wheel

3. Check that all brakes (hydraulic, electric, and manual) are functioning properly after not having been used for a long time (i.e.: before the first outing of the season, or after having been parked all season.)

• Inspect the unit and check for leaking brake fluid.
• For manual brakes, check that moving parts are operational and not rusted.

Coupler

4. Verify the coupler.

• Ensure that the coupler is intact.
• Be sure that the coupler is correctly adjusted to the vehicle, and that the trailer hitch is of adequate size.
• To test, use the jacks to raise the coupler and make sure it doesn’t disengage. If your trailer has a wheel jack, we recommend using it to perform this test instead.
• Check that the trailer is level to the ground and well balanced when attached, to prevent potential accidents while en route.

5. Check your security chains.

• Make certain that the security chains are in good condition and firmly attached to the trailer, crossed and with the hook closed. Chains should never drag on the ground.
• Trailer chains should always be hooked from the bottom up, with the latch facing upward.
• Make sure le opening link is present, in working condition, and shows no signs of damage.
• Make sure there is no rust and, that bolts and brackets are in good condition.
• The lighting cable should be securely connected to the vehicle.

Security chains

6. Ensure your unit is ready for transport.

• Make sure the solar panel, sign case, control box and/or battery boxes are closed, locked and properly fixed to the unit.

Closed battery/control box ready for transport

• Ensure all safety pins and the mast brake are in locked position.

Mast brake with pin	Safety pin locked position

• Make sure the equipment in transport position. Ver-Mac equipment must always be in transport position while on the road, resting on the sign stands with all pins engaged, and nothing protruding from the unit.

• Make sure the sign case brake is engaged.

7. Observe the following measures for towing:

• If towing more than one trailer, refer to the tandem towing instructions in the operating and service manual, as well as all local state and provincial guidelines.
• Never tow more than two trailers with a single vehicle.
• We strongly discourage backing up while towing more than one trailer. If it cannot be avoided, exercise extreme caution.
• Only tow Ver-Mac trailers with an adequate towing-class vehicle.
• Adapt your driving: slow down and use caution in tight turns and lane changes, as signs can topple over with excessive speeds.
• Use caution when towing in strong winds.
• Be aware of the importance of weight distribution when pulling a trailer or when tandem towing.
• Always respect the trailer’s maximum rated speed of 90 km/hour, which is displayed on the trailer.

Tandem towing

8. Inspect brake and signal lights.

• Make sure they are clean and light up when activated from the dash.
• Verify the brake lights, left and right turning lights and reverse.
• Inspect the tailer light plug and wires to ensure they are not damaged.