Maintenance
Regular maintenance of your vehicle and trailer is essential for
safe towing. Have them checked regularly to ensure they are in a
safe and roadworthy condition.
The trailer's wheel-bearings, suspension and brakes must all be in
good working order and tyres must be properly inflated. It is a
good idea to take some of the mass off your trailer's springs and
tyres if it is going to be stationary for an extended period of time.
The best way to do this is by placing blocks under the chassis
behind the wheels and under the point where the A-frame attaches
to the chassis. By using a properly secured jockey wheel to raise
and lower the trailer, this can be achieved quite easily.
Gas cylinders and LPG regulators should also be checked
regularly by a qualified person. For example, if left out in the
open, your regulator may have been affected by water. If this is the
case, it needs to be drained and cleaned thoroughly to prevent
corrosion, which will prevent it from working properly. Check that
all hoses and pipes are securely connected and also check the
date stamp on your cylinders, which must be checked for
continued service life once every 10 years at a certified gas
cylinder testing station.
Checks before the trip
- Check oil, water, brake fluid, the battery etc.
- Inspect all tyres carefully. If your trailer has not been used
for a long time, the tyres may be soft. And remember, when
towing heavily loaded trailers your vehicle's tyre pressures
should be increased to the level recommended in the
owner's handbook or on the tyre placard. If in doubt,
contact your local tyre dealer.
- Check that your vehicle and trailer's wheel nuts have been
tightened to the manufacturer's specifications. To tighten the
nuts, use a torque wrench to the torque recommended by
the manufacturer (around 90ft lb or 125Nm). Wheel nuts
should then be re-tightened after each 100 kms for the first
400 kms and checked every 1,000 kms or at six month
intervals thereafter.
- Ensure the coupling socket and ball match in size.
- Check that the coupling is correctly and
securely fastened.
- Check that the safety chains are correctly connected.
- Check to ensure that the trailer brake and light connections
are secure and that all lights work.
- Check that the towing lights, number plates and registration
labels of your caravan are clearly visible.
- Disengage any reversing catch fitted to the trailer coupling
(as used with over-run brakes).
- Make one or two test stops to check that the brakes are
working properly.
- Ensure that your load is properly secured.
- Limit the amount of load in the boot of the tow vehicle.
- Ensure that the rear vision mirrors on the tow vehicle are
properly adjusted.
- Ensure that the gas cylinders are properly secured.
- While you are travelling ensure that the gas cylinders are
turned off and that the refrigerator door is closed.
- Check that the roll-out awning is stored away and locked in
the travel position.
- Remove the jockey wheel from its clamp and store it in the
boot of the car or RV, or if it is of the swivel mount variety,
lock it in the travelling position.
- Check that the front and rear corner stabilisers are
in the up position.
- Ensure that the hand brake of the trailer has been correctly
released.
- Check that the roof hatches, windows and stone
shields are secure.
- Check that the electrical cord has been disconnected
And stored away.
- Check that the TV antenna is in the travel position.
Checks during the trip
- Check that the couplings and chains are still securely
fastened.
- Check that the brakes and wheel bearings are
not overheating, by comparing to your carbrakes.
- Check that light connections are still secure and
that the lights are working.
- Check that the tyres are still sufficiently inflated.
- Check that the load is still secure.
- Check that the roll out awning is properly locked
in the travel position.
|
