Table of Contents
Advertisement
2.6 While driving
9
Place a note with all important measurements and
weights in a clearly visible place on the dashboard.
Driving
Staying in the caravan during the drive is prohibited by law!
Take a test drive or a safety training course before the first long drive
to better acquaint yourself with the carriage in driving conditions.
Practise driving in reverse.
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.
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.
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 significant 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.
2. Safety
Advertisement
Table of Contents
