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

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Safety
How should an off-road caravan be
used?
The caravan operator has a duty of care to themselves, their passengers and other road users to use
their caravan in a manner that eliminates as far as practicable the risk of accidents, injury or failure of
components. This means that off–road caravans must be operated as follows:
• Off-road caravans must be towed using a suitable vehicle having adequate towing capacity. This
normally means using a vehicle with features designed for 4 wheel drive operation, as well as a heavy
duty tow hitch. So-called “soft” off road vehicles are generally regarded as unsuitable for towing
caravans in out of the way places.
• To access off-road sites, it may be necessary to traverse rough, unmade areas, damaged (e.g. deeply
rutted) tracks, or steep inclines. To avoid both cosmetic and structural damage, owners must travel
slowly and carefully in such situations. It may be necessary at times to have an observer stationed
outside the towing vehicle, positioned so they may easily communicate with the driver.
• Adjust speed to the conditions. Generally the more rugged the terrain or the rougher the road, the
slower the speed should be. For example, increasing speed in an attempt to have the caravan become
airborne (“float”) over corrugations can result in failure of springs, shock absorbers, A-frames and
other structural and non-structural components.
• As the terrain becomes more rugged, increase the frequency of stops to inspect the caravan for signs
of damage.
• As always, ensure that tyres are inflated to the correct pressure for the load being imposed on each
tyre. Under inflation, while appearing to improve ride quality, makes tyres more prone to impact
damage and damage due to overheating. Over inflation compromises ride quality and increases stress
on suspension components, chassis structure, and fittings and fixtures such as plumbing, electrical, air
conditioning, refrigerator, gas equipment, etc.
• Tightness of wheel nuts must be checked more frequently. The wheel tightening procedure is fully
explained later in this Handbook.
• Check tyres frequently for signs of uneven or abnormal wear, or damage to tread or sidewalls. Uneven
wear usually means wheel alignment is required, while damaged tread or sidewalls usually occurs as a
result of under inflation and/or impact. Travelling over gravel roads for extended periods will result in
decreased tyre life.
Warranty and Service Hand book
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GandS GS Warranty Book AAC 2019.indd 16 22/10/2019 12:55:29 PM