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2. Safety
Due to the design of the brakes, there may be increased
wear in the brake lining during the initial break-in phase.
Despite carrying out automatic brake adjustments on all
HOBBY trailers, the basic setting for the brakes must be
checked by an authorised specialist and adjusted if ne-
cessary (initial inspection) after having driven 500 km.
Brakes
A car and caravan together (rig) behaves differently from an individual ve-
hicle while braking. Therefore, it is advisable (especially for inexperienced
drivers) to conduct several braking tests on a suitable surface. The braking
distance for the rig is longer than that of an individual vehicle. The load
in the caravan also has a signi
fi
cant influence on the braking distance.
Rules for braking
• Note the longer braking distance on wet roads.
• When driving down a mountain, do not select a gear that is high-
er than the one used when driving up a mountain.
• During long drives over passes or steep and twisty country lanes,
the can cause the caravan brakes to over run constantly and can
cause the wheel brakes to heat up considerably. If necessary, you
should allow enough time to enable them to cool down again.
Driving around curves
The combined length of your car & caravan together (rig) is considerably
longer than a car.
The following applies for driving in curves
• Do not take curves too quickly or too sharply!
• Take the curve at a somewhat wider radius when turning.
• Note that the caravan can swing out if you turn too quickly.
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 & caravan can
be accelerated, if necessary, without endangering other drivers or
pedestrians.
• If the caravan moves back and forth on a sloping road, brake
carefully but rapidly to bring the caravan back into line.
•
Never
increase speed if the caravan becomes pendulous.
• Do not drive down a hill any faster than you would drive up one.
• Long, gently sloping downhill slopes can be dangerous. Calculate
your speed from the very beginning so that, if necessary, it is still
possible to accelerate without endangering other road users.
• When overtaking or being overtaken by trucks or buses, the
caravan can be caught up in air suction. This could cause the
caravan to sway or become pendulous.
• Drive with foresight; on longer trips, stop at regular intervals for
breaks.
