Bailey Unicorn - Correct Procedure for Use; Loading and Distribution of Weight in the Caravan and Car

13
CARAVANANDTOWVEHICLE
Having done this, the cable assembly is
designedtopart,allowingthetrailertocome
toahaltawayfromthetowingvehicle.
Construction;Athinsteelcable,coatedinred
plasticandttedwithameansofattachment
forconnectiontothetowingvehicle.
Operation;Intheeventofthemaincouplingof
thetrailerseparatingfromthetowingvehicle,
thecableshouldbeabletopulltight,without
anyhindrance,engagingthetrailer’sbrakes.
Thebreakawaycableshouldnever
becometautduringnormaluse.
Correct procedure for use:
Regularlycheckthecableandclipfordamage.
If in doubt, contact your trailer or towbar
supplieroryourserviceagent.
Make sure the cable runs as straight as
possible and goes through a cable guide
underneaththetrailercoupling.
Determine whether or not the towbar has
a designated attachment point (i.e. a part
specicallydesignatedbyitsmanufacturerfor
abreakawaycable).
Where a designated attachment point is
providedonthetowbar:
Passthecablethroughtheattachmentpoint
andclipitbackonitself(g.a).
Where no designated attachment point has
beenprovidedonthetowbar:
Fixedball:Loopthecablearoundtheneckof
thetowball.Ifyoutthecablelikethis,usea
singlelooponly.SeeFigs.bandc.
Detachable ball: You must seek guidance on
procedure from the towbar manufacturer or
supplier.
Othermeansofattachment:
Insomeinstancesitmaybepossibletoattach
thecableassembly:
Either:
Toapermanentpartofthetowbarstructure,
as long as this meets the approval of the
towbarmanufacturer/supplier,
Or:
Toanaccessorysoldforthespecicpurpose
ofbreakawaycableattachment.
Whenthebreakawaycableisattached,check
toensure:
a.Thatthecablecannotsnaginuseonthe
Caravan coupling head, jockey wheel, or
anyaccessory,e.g.astabiliser,bumpshield,
cyclecarrier,etc.
b.That there is sufcient slack in the cable
to allow the towing vehicle and caravan
to articulate fully without the cable ever
becoming taut and applying the brakes.
Forpeaceofmindyoumightwishtocheck
the state of the cable by positioning the
caravan and towing vehicle at extreme
anglesbeforesettingoff.
c.Thatitisnotsoslackthatitcandragonthe
ground.Ifleftloose,thecablemayscrape
alongthegroundandbeweakenedsothat
itsubsequentlyfailstodoitsjob.Thecable
mayalsobecaughtonanobstaclewhenin
motion,thusengagingthecaravan’sbrakes
prematurely.
Having followed this advice, should you feel
that a satisfactory coupling arrangement
cannot be achieved, consult your trailer or
towbarsupplierorserviceagent.
It is a legal requirement that the
secondary breakaway cable is used
when towing.
Loading and Distribution of Weight in the
Caravan and Car.
Equipment and personal effects should be
loadedinthecaravansothatanyheavyitems
are low downneartheoor and mainly over
theaxles.
Theremaindershouldbedistributedtogivea
suitablenoseweightatthetowingcoupling.
It should be noted that with certain layouts
ormodelsitmaybenecessarytoloadheavy
items, such as awnings, in the middle of the
oortoachieve anacceptableandsafenose
weight.Itmaynotbepossibletoachievethe
desirednoseweightwithallitemsstoredout
ofsightinlockersandbedboxes(bunks).
Pleasetakecarethatyouhaveallowedforthe
weightofallitemsyouintendtoloadintothe
caravan.