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3.9 Three point seat belts
This section refers to the seat belts located in
the habitation area of your motorhome.
Fastening the seat belt:
Insert tongue into buckle; a positive ‘click’
indicates correct assembly.
Releasing the seat belt:
Press the red release button, the tongue will be
ejected from the buckle.
• The belt is designed for use by one person and
must not be put around a child seated on a
person’s lap.
• The belt is suitable for restraining most child
seats and boosters.
• The belt should at all times be adjusted and
used in accordance with the instructions. No
excessive slackness should be present.
• Once installed the diagonal should pass across
the centre of the shoulder and the buckle
should lie just on or below the hip.
• Avoid twisting the webbing during use.
Webbing must not be allowed to chafe against
sharp edges.
• Do not make alterations or additions to the
belt.
• Belts that have been cut, frayed, damaged or
stressed through impact should be replaced.
After impact the motorhome anchorage points
should also be checked.
• To clean use warm soapy water only.
• Periodic inspection of the installation will
ensure reliability of the seat belt.
3.10 Driving licence
Licences issued to drivers who passed their car
driving test before 1st January 1997 include
categories B+E and C1+E which gives them
entitlement to drive motor vehicles up to 7500kg
MTPLM.
Drivers who passed their test on or after this
date have category B entitlement only, which
restricts the entitlement to motor vehicles with
up to 8 passenger seats and an MTPLM of up
to 3500kg with trailers up to 750kg MTPLM
(4250kg gross train weight) or larger trailers
providing the combination of the trailer and
towing vehicle does not exceed 3500kg and
the MTPLM of the trailer does not exceed the
unladen weight of the towing vehicle.
Drivers who passed their test on or after the
1st January 1997 will need to take an additional
test(s) to gain the C1+E entitlement.
3.11 Advice on towing
The towing capability of each motorhome differs
depending on the specific chassis and engine
types, (see ‘Towing Capabilities Table’ in your
specification section).
This table takes account of the maximum front
and rear axle loadings as well as the minimum
front axle loading in two conditions, MRO and
MTPLM condition.
Towing in these, and any other condition
requires sensible loading and distribution of
payloads to ensure the requirements of the
towing capability table are met.
When towing, the demands on both the
vehicle and driver increase. A trailer reduces
manoeuvrability, the ability to climb hills,
acceleration and braking capacity and makes
the vehicle handle and corner differently. It
will also increase the fuel consumption of the
vehicle.
Always brake in good time. Special care must
be taken when descending gradients. Change
down before going down a steep hill so the
engine can act as a brake. Ensure that the
towing vehicle tyre pressures are correct and
adjusted for full load conditions and that the
trailer tyre pressures are as recommended by
the trailer manufacturer. Regularly check the
operation of trailer brakes and lights.
For maximum stability, when loading the trailer
ensure that the loads are properly secured
during transit. Position loads so that most of the
weight is placed close to the floor and, where
possible, immediately above or close to the
axle(s). Where the load can be divided between
trailer and tow vehicle, loading more weight into
the vehicle will generally improve the stability of
the combination.
After loading the trailer, check that the nose
weight and axle loads are in accordance with the
manufacturer’s recommendations, also check
the rear and front axle loads on the motorhome.
When calculating the laden weight of the trailer,
remember to include the weight of the trailer
PLUS THE LOAD.
PREPARING FOR THE ROAD
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