AL-KO G&S Chassis Caravan, Warranty And Service Hand Book

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Safety
Disclaimer: The following general information and recommendations concerning towing do not take
into account your particular vehicle, equipment and circumstances and should not be relied upon as a
substitute for professional advice for your specific circumstances. G&S Chassis provides no warranty
in relation to the accuracy or currency of the information contained in this Handbook, and accepts no
responsibility for this general information or for any loss or damage arising out of use or reliance on it.
For detailed advice concerning towing, consumers must consult their specific towing vehicle owner’s
handbook.
WARNING
The instructions supplied by the tow vehicle manufacturer must be read, understood and adhered to
at all times. The operator has a responsibility to be familiar with the instructions regarding towing.
Noncompliance with the instructions in this handbook, the towing vehicle handbook, or the law may
result in property damage or serious injury.
Before Towing
• Check that tyres are properly inflated to the cold inflation pressure recommended for the caravan load
over the wheels. See page 30 for more details.
• Check that wheel nuts are correctly tensioned. See page 29 for more details.
• Check the tow coupling and load levelling hitch (where fitted) and electrical connections to ensure
the caravan is properly secured to your tow vehicle and that the caravan has a slightly “nose down”
attitude.
• Check that the tow coupling download is between 8% to 15% of the total mass of the load being towed.
A bathroom scale and bridge arrangement may be used to perform a check of tow coupling download.
It is understood relatively inexpensive electronic scales are now available to facilitate this check.
• Remove the jockey wheel
• Check operation of all lights and light signalling devices
• Check adjustment of rear view mirrors
• Check adjustment of park brakes
• Check operation of brakes and adjustment of brake controller
• Check operation electronic sway control if fitted
Warranty and Service Hand book
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Safety
Types of Use
A caravan is primarily designed as a home on wheels, not for the carriage of goods. It will have sufficient
load capacity for the carriage of a reasonable quantity of personal possessions, including food, utensils,
clothing and water. The load capacity of your caravan is assigned by the caravan manufacturer.
Unless fitted to a caravan or chassis with features designed for off-road application, your caravan chassis
and suspension is designed to operate primarily on sealed highways. It may also be used intermittently on
well maintained unsealed roads. Use on unsealed roads in poor condition (e.g. corrugations) or off-road
(other than for short distances and at low speeds) will void warranty.
Tow Coupling Height
Check the tow vehicle owner’s handbook to ensure your vehicle is capable of towing the caravan or trailer.
Where load levelling hitches are specified, these must be used. Please note that load levelling hitches
are designed to return a correctly laden tow vehicle and caravan to a near level attitude – NOT to correct
changes in vehicle attitude due to overloading or incorrect load distribution. A tow coupling download of
between 8% and 15% of ATM is recommended. You should check the information supplied with your vehicle
or towbar to ensure your towbar and fittings are designed to withstand this load.
The suspension system on your trailer or caravan is designed to operate correctly with the chassis level or
with a slightly “nose down” attitude. It is therefore essential that the tow coupling height of the fully laden
tow vehicle and caravan be adjusted accordingly. A height adjustable hitch may be required.
Vertical measurement “A” is from 25 mm to 40 mm less than measurement “B” Illustration of “nose down”
attitude
www.gnschassis.com.au
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