Swift Group 2009 Charisma - Glossary & Checklist; Measurement of Noseweight; Type of Driving Licence Held

Towing code
12
in some cases, less than the kerb weight.
Vehicles with automatic transmission may need
an oil cooler fitting or the SAE rating of the
gearbox oil increasing when towing. The advice
of the vehicle manufacturer should be sought.
Mass in Running Order:
Caravanners can use a public weighbridge to
establish the mass in running order.
Note:Weighbridgeshavevaryingweight
tolerance levels.
Maximum Permissible Towing Mass:
The weight defined by the vehicle manufacturer
as being the maximum that the vehicle is
designed to tow.
Train Weight (Combination Weight):
The maximum combined weight of the towing
vehicle and trailer combination as specified by
the towing vehicle manufacturer.
MEASUREMENT OF NOSEWEIGHT
Noseweightmaybemeasuredusingapropriety
brand of noseweight indicator. Such equipment
is obtainable at your Caravan Dealer.
Note: These indicators have a varying
tolerance level.
Another simple method is to use bathroom
scales under the coupling head with a piece of
wood, fitted between the coupling head and the
scales, of such length that the caravan floor is
horizontalwiththejockeywheelraisedclearof
the ground. (Fig. A)
430mm
±35mm
Fig. A Measuring noseweight
Noseweightcanbeadjustedsimplyby
distribution of weights in the caravan.
Always lower jockey wheel before entering the
caravan and then raise before measuring again.
(See Loading).
Note:Theheightofthetowballonthetowing
vehicle, when laden, is also critical.
WARNING: Do not lift the coupling head by
hand when hitching the caravan to the car.
Always raise and lower the coupling head
by winding the handle on the jockey wheel
up and down.
TYPE OF DRIVING LICENCE HELD
In order to be able to tow a caravan a driver
must hold a Category B licence. Those
car drivers who passed their tests prior to
1January1997wouldhaveautomatically
obtainedCategoryB+E.However,anyone
whopassedtheirtestafter1january1997will
need to take a further test in order to obtain
a Category B+E if they wish to tow a car and
caravan combination whose train weight
exceeds3,500kg,orupto4,250ifthecaravan
islessthan750kgorifthecaravan’sMaximum
TechnicallyPermissibleLadenMassexceeds
the unladen weight of the car.
Note:Theunladenweightofacarisnormally
less than the kerbside weight.
GLOSSARY & CHECKLIST
Awnings - Can consist of just a simple top
sheet but may extend to a five sided frame tent
attached to the side of the caravan.
Fire blanket -approvedtoBS6575isidealfor
dealing with ‘fat pan’ fires.
Fire extinguisher - It is strongly recommended
that a fire extinguisher is carried in the caravan.
(For suitable types see Safety and Security).
Gas bottles - Bottled L.P. gas is the most
convenient portable source of fuel. Two bottles
are required for a constant supply.