12. Maintenance and upkeep
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12.2 Hitch head
Tow ball on base vehicle
Ensure that the tow ball meets the required dimensions and is unda
-
maged, clean and free of grease. If using Dacromet-coated (dull-silver
coating for corrosion protection) or lacquered tow balls, the coating
must be completely removed before your initial journey using sandpaper
(grain: 200 240) and then cleaned, e.g. using a nitro thinner or spirit, so
that it is not deposited on the surface of the friction pads. The metal
surface of the tow ball must be bright. A damaged or dirty tow ball
causes increased wear and tear on the friction pads; a greased tow ball
greatly reduces the stabilizing effect.
Rules for greasing and oiling
• Movable parts such as pins and hinged parts on the hand brake
lever and deflexion lever of the ramp should be oiled lightly.
• Lightly grease the stationary parts on the case of the overrunning
equipment
j
after every 5,000 kilometres of driving.
• Check from time to time to ensure that the bearing surfaces of the
brake rod are not jammed.
• Clean and oil all movable and stationary parts regularly.
Rubber spring axles require no maintenance.
The axle(s) of the caravan is (are) fitted with compact
wheel bearings. The cylinder hub, compact bearings and
axle nuts form a closed unit. The compact bearings are
free of maintenance due to their special grease.
You can find further guidelines in the operating
instructions from the axle supplier.
For safety reasons, the spare parts for heating devices
must conform with the manufacturer's instructions.
They must be installed by the manufacturer or an autho
-
rised representative.
IMPORTANT: The friction pads of the KS 25 stabiliser
hitch must never be lubricated with either oil or grease.
Stabiliser hitch
Keep the inside of the tow ball, around the friction pads, clean and
grease-free. When the friction pads are dirty, the surface can be
cleaned with 200-240 grain sandpaper. Then clean the surface with
a cleaning solvent or spirit. All movable bearings and bolts are easy
to grease. By regular upkeep and maintenance of your KS 25, you
increase its overall life span, function and safety.
Bearing surfaces on the casing of the overrun
coupling
Hitch head
1
If the friction pads are new, optimal shock absorption is
only reached after a certain period of operation.
Should the friction pads be worn out or have come into
contact with oil or grease, they must be replaced so that the
shock absorbers are once again fully effective and hence
the caravan is stable.
