Bailey ALICANTO GRANDE, Owner'S Manual

Page: 23 / 159

21
C
AR
AV
AN AND T
O
W VEHICLE
CARAVAN AND TOW VEHICLE
Choosing the right car and caravan
combination for safe and stable towing is an
important process. It may seem complicated
to the newcomer, but a few minutes spent
learning the basic principles, common terms
and definitions will be worthwhile in the long
term and ensure your enjoyment of the
caravan.
C
ARAVAN AND
T
OWING
V
EHICLE
T
ERMS
M
AXIMUM
T
ECHNICALLY
P
ERMISSIBLE
L
ADEN
M
ASS
(MTPLM)
As stated by the vehicle manufacturer. This
mass takes into account specific operating
conditions including factors such as the
strength of materials, loading capacity of the
tyres etc. MTPLM is the maximum permissible
weight of caravan on the road.
Under no circumstances should the
MTPLM of the caravan be exceeded.
M
ASS IN
R
UNNING
O
RDER
(MRO)
Mass of the caravan equipped to the
manufacturer’s standard specification and
essential habitation equipment.
U
SER
P
AYLOAD
The difference between the maximum
technically permissible laden mass and the
mass in running order.
The user payload includes:
Personal Effects: Those items which a user
chooses to carry in a caravan and certain items
of habitation equipment which are not included
in the MRO or Optional Equipment.
Personal effects will include any
items not supplied as standard by the
manufacturer. This includes 25kg for
the leisure battery.
O
PTIONAL
E
QUIPMENT
(OE)
Items made available by the manufacturer over
and above the standard specification of the
caravan. These are factory fitted options.
Please make sure your personal
effects stay within the allocated
payload. In no circumstances should
the caravans actual weight exceed the
stated MTPLM.
Please note: weigh bridges may give varying
(possibly inaccurate) results.
Nose Weight: The downward force (or weight)
of the caravans coupling head on a car’s
towball. This is sometimes defined as the
“static load at the coupling head”. The
maximum nose weight for a caravan will be
limited by either the towing vehicle tow hitch
limits or the maximum load to which the
caravan hitch is specified.
The towing vehicle and towing hitch
handbooks/manufacturer’s guide must
be consulted for their specification
prior to towing.
The maximum static nose weight for
all Bailey caravans is 100kg. This
should never be exceeded regardless
of whether the towing vehicle’s upper
limit is greater.
It is recommended that the nose weight
should be varied to find the optimum weight
for towing dependent upon the actual laden
weight of the caravan.
M
EASUREMENT OF THE NOSE WEIGHT
Nose weight may be measured using a
proprietary brand of nose weight indicator.
Such equipment is obtainable from your Bailey
retailer.
K
ERB
W
EIGHT
The weight of the towing vehicle as defined by
the vehicle manufacturer.
This is normally:
• With a full tank of fuel
• With an adequate supply of other liquids
incidental to the vehicle’s propulsion
• Without any drivers or passengers
• Without any load except loose tools and
equipment with which the vehicle is
normally provided
• Without any towing bracket.