elddis Affinity 2013, Owner'S Handbook Manual

Page: 77 / 116

11-4
CARE OF YOUR CARAVAN
CHASSIS MOUNTED SPARE WHEEL
CARRIER
To gain access to your spare wheel lift the spare
wheel carrier up and lift up the locking
mechanism. Then move the mechanism to the
horizontal position and the spare wheel carrier
will be free to move over the mechanism and
allow the spare wheel to drop to the floor to be
removed.
To replace the spare wheel simply reverse the
operation making sure that the quick release
mechanism has been fully pushed down to create
a positive lock. The carrier is of extra strong,
lightweight construction and zinc plated for all
weather protection. It is easy to fit and accepts all
conventional wheel sizes.
TYRES
Please refer to your Technical Data sheet
provided with your customer information pack
for information regarding tyre pressures and axle
loads.
Pressures
It is customary for manufacturers to mark tyres
with load and inflation data. This information
relates to the use of the tyre on cars. It is
dangerous to drive with under inflated tyres. The
pressures (cold) recommended by the
manufacturers should be regarded as a minimum.
Pressure checks, including those on the spare
tyre, should be made with the tyres cold and
using an accurate pressure gauge. The checks
should be carried out before each journey and at
regular intervals during storage.
Tyre Wear and Damage
The legal requirements for tread depth on motor
vehicle tyres apply also to caravans. Similarly, it is
not permitted to mix cross-ply and radial tyres
on the same axle. A redundant tyre must be
replaced by one of the same size and
construction. Wheels should be changed round
occasionally to equal wear and prolong the life of
the tyres. A tyre should be renewed if a blister,
rupture or cut exposing the casing is detected. If
the tyre has suffered a violent impact e.g. against
a kerb, it should be examined by a specialist as
soon as possible.
CHANGING A WHEEL
Whenever road wheels are removed and re-
fitted, they must be tightened using a calibrated
Torque Wrench set to 92 Nm for steel wheels
and 130Nm for alloy wheels.
Only use the wheel bolts supplied with your
caravan. If you need to replace these bolts you
should obtain bolts from an approved Elddis
Retailer.
The bolt fixings should be tightened in the
sequence shown in the diagram below. Do NOT
simply tighten clockwise or anti clockwise.
Remember to over tighten is just as dangerous as
to under-tighten, as this can distort the wheel
rims. Avoid the use of power wrenches. Wheel
bolts should NEVER be lubricated.
Alloy wheel bolts can be used to fit the steel
wheel until the alloy wheel is ready for refitting.
Never use steel wheel bolts to fit an Alloy wheel.