Axle Types - Swift Tourer Owner's Handbook Manual

CH AS S IS
Loading
Loads to be carried in the caravan should be
placed directly over, or as close as possible
to the axles, otherwise the handling will be
impaired. Maximum gross weight, as advised
by the caravan manufacturer, must not be
exceeded without approval from AL-KO.
Maximum loading is defined as the difference
between ex-works weight and the permitted
total weight.
Load Too Far Forward (Fig 2)
Steering and braking ability reduced. Increased
loading on the rear axle and chassis of the
tow vehicle.
Fig. 2
Load Too Far Back (Fig. 3)
High skid risk together with poor braking
effect.
Fig. 3
Load Over Axle (Fig 4)
Optimum road holding together with maximum
braking effect. Exceptionally heavy loads
should be placed directly over the axle.
Attention should be paid to the legal
regulations regarding the permitted pressure
exerted by the towbar on the towed unit.
Fig. 4
192

AXLE TYPES

Safety Precautions
No welding is permitted on AL-KO Axles
It is important that the wheel and hub/ brake
drum are compatible. This mean that the PCD,
wheelbolts and inset must all be compatible
with both the hub/brake drum and the wheel
rim.
Particular attention must be paid to the
recommended torque figures for the
wheelbolts (see pg 31).
The axle type details shown on axle type
plates must not be obscured or made illegible
by application of any additional surface finish.
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Service Brake
When the towing vehicle is braking or travelling
down hill, the overrun device shaft is pushed
in (dependent on the magnitude of the thrust
on the shaft) and presses on the overrun lever.
This acts on the bowden cables and expander
mechanism, which in turn expands the brake
shoes applying the wheel brakes.
Hand brake
With the gas strut version, pull the handbrake
lever until upright. With the spring cylinder
version, pull the handbrake lever right up to the
last tooth. The caravan is then braked.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Please note that with the handbrake
fully applied, the caravan/trailer is able
to move backwards by 25 cms until the
spring cylinder/gas spring takes effect.