Airstream Caravel 2023, Owner'S Manual

Page: 8 / 100

Safety
2-2
2023 Caravel
Safety Precautions
Many things can be construed as safety related, but
the most important is your common sense� If you are
careless with matches, cigarettes, flammable material,
or any other hazardous material, you surely realize
your potential for accidents is greatly increased�
You will find many safety recommendations in this
section and throughout the manual� The following
recommendations are the ones we consider to be the
most important�
Transporting of Passengers
The transporting of people in the trailer puts their
lives at risk and may be illegal� The trailer does not
have seat belts, therefore, it is not designed to carry
passengers�
Towing and Weight Distribution
Weight distribution is an important factor when loading
your travel trailer� A recreational vehicle with the cargo
distributed properly will result in efficient, trouble-free
towing; see Loading on page 7-3 �
Controlling Sway
Sway or fishtailing is the sideways action of a trailer
caused by external forces� Excessive sway of your
travel trailer can lead to the rollover of the trailer and
tow vehicle, resulting in serious injury or death; see
Controlling Sway or Fishtailing on page 7-7 �
Lug Nut Torquing
Making sure wheel mounting nuts (lug nuts) on
trailer wheels are tight and properly torqued is an
important responsibility that trailer owners and users
need to understand and practice� Inadequate and/or
inappropriate wheel nut torque (tightness) is a major
cause of lug nuts loosening in service� Loose lug nuts
can rapidly lead to a wheel separation resulting in
potentially serious safety consequences; see Lug Nut
Torquing on page 8-8 ; see Specification Chart on
page 4-3 �
NOTE
Torque Aluminum Wheels to 110 ft. lbs and Steel
Wheels to 100 ft. lbs.
Tire Safety
Properly maintained tires improve the steering,
stopping, traction, and load-carrying capability of your
vehicle; see Tire Care on page 8-6� Also, be sure to
read the Tire Safety Manual Addendum included with
your owner’s packet�
Appliances and Equipment
The appliances (stove) and equipment (hot water
heater, furnace, etc�) typically operate on LP gas� LP
gas is flammable and is contained under high pressure.
Improper use may result in a fire and/or explosion.
Make sure to follow all instructions and warnings in
this manual as well as those in the specific owner’s
manuals of the appliances and equipment�
Mold
Mold and mold spores exist throughout indoor and
outdoor environments� There is no practical way
to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor
environment, however, the way to control indoor mold
growth is to control moisture; see Inhibiting Mold
Growth on page 3-9 �
Chemical Sensitivity and Ventilation
Chemical Sensitivity
Immediately after the purchase of your new
recreational vehicle, and sometimes, after it has been
closed up for an extended period of time, you may
notice a strong odor and/or experience a chemical
sensitivity� This is not a defect in your recreational
vehicle� Like your home, there are many different
products used in the construction of recreational
vehicles, such as carpet, linoleum, plywood, insulation,
upholstery, etc� Formaldehyde is also the by-product of
combustion and numerous household products, such
as some paints, coatings, and cosmetics� However,
recreational vehicles are much smaller than your home
and therefore, the exchange of air inside a recreational
vehicle is significantly less than in a home. These
products, when new or when exposed to elevated
temperatures and/or humidity, may off-gas different
chemicals, including formaldehyde� This off-gassing, in
combination with the minimal air exchange, may cause
you to experience irritation of the eyes, nose, and
throat and sometimes headache, nausea, and a variety
of asthma-like symptoms� Elderly persons and young
children, as well as anyone with a history of asthma,
allergies, or lung problems, may be more susceptible to
the effects of off-gassing�