10
2. Safety
2.7 While driving
Driving
Take a test drive or a safety training course before the first long drive
to better acquaint yourself with the carriage in driving conditions.
Practise driving in reverse.
Rules for driving
• Do not underestimate the total length of the car & caravan (rig).
Due to the relatively long rear overhang, larger caravan can swing
out and, under adverse conditions, the rear end of the caravan
can hit the ground.
• Take extra care when driving toward yards and through gates.
• In conditions with strong side winds, slick ice or wet roads, the
caravan could move back and forth.
• Adjust driving speed to overall street and traffic conditions.
• Long, lightly sloping roads are potentially dangerous. Measure
your speed from the outset in such a manner that the car & cara
-
van can be accelerated, if necessary, without endangering other
drivers or pedestrians.
Staying in the caravan during the drive is prohibited by law!
Ensure that there is sufficient ventilation. Never cover
up built-in forced ventilation (skylights with forced
ventilation or mushroom vents). Ensure that forced
ventilation is not covered by snow or leaves as this
increases the
danger of suffocation.
Do not overload the caravan!
The permissible axle
loads, the technically permissible maximum weight as
well as the permissible height, width and length of the
caravan must be observed!
Place a note with all important measurements and
weights in a clearly visible place on the dashboard.
• Close and firmly lock all of the windows and roof lights.
• Empty the waste water tank, clean it and stow it securely in the
gas box.
• Switch off the awning light.
• If necessary, pack away the awning and stow the winding
handle securely.
• Turn off the gas bottles (heating is forbidden while driving) and
secure them.
• If necessary, slide the TV antenna
*
in as far as possible or re
-
tract the satellite dish.
• Shut the gas-bottle container and, if necessary, the luggage
compartment (Premium).
• Close and lock the entrance door and any external locker doors.
• Stow the step tread in the gas bottle container.
• If necessary, disconnect the cable for the 230V mains connec
-
tion from the external socket.
• If necessary, secure any bicycles on the bicycle carrier, lashing
them with the fastening straps to prevent them from slipping,
and ensure that the rear tail lights are not covered. If the bicycle
carrier has not been loaded, fold it in and secure it.
(see Chap-
ter 5.6)
• If necessary, secure the spare tyre holder.
