Swift Tourer Owner's Handbook Manual page 24

P R EPAR I NG F O R THE ROAD
Towball
The AL-KO stabiliser is designed to be used
with a swan neck, fixed or detachable towball.
If you use a 'bolt on type' towball you may
need to replace your towball with a special
extended neck towball.
If you have a bolt on type towball you should
ask your dealer to check clearance around the
towball to allow for the stabiliser to articulate.
The AL-KO extended neck towball (available
from your dealer) is approved and marked
with the approval number EC94/20. Failure to
provide enough clearance around the towball
may invalidate your stabiliser warranty.
Stabiliser friction pads
The AL-KO stabiliser uses 'friction pads' inside
the coupling head to clamp the towball. These
pads must be kept free from grease and
contamination from the towball.
The friction pads should last approximately
50,000km (30,000 miles) under normal use, if
correctly maintained.
Suitable towing vehicles
The caravan is manufactured for towing
behind normal road cars and is not suitable
for towing behind commercial vehicles. It
is strongly recommended that whenever a
caravan is to be towed over rough terrain,
e.g. a field or track, great care should be
taken to ensure that no undue stress is placed
upon the caravan via the hitch mounting, i.e.
reduce speed. If in doubt, please consult the
chassis manufacturer and the towing vehicle
manufacturer who will advise. Touring caravans
based on standard AL-KO chassis can be
towed by four wheel drive off road leisure
vehicles providing the unit is used to tow in a
like manner to a conventional road-going car
and driven in the same considered manner.
Towbar manufacturers should be consulted
before towing an uncompensated twin axle
caravan.
Snaking
This is a term used to denote an unstable car
and caravan combination where the caravan
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'weaves' from side to side often causing a
similar swaying movement in the car itself.
Causes:
i) Unsuitable or unbalanced outfit.
ii) Incorrect loading or weight distribution.
iii) Excessive speed especially downhill.
iv) Side winds.
v) Overtaking.
vi) Being overtaken by a large fast
moving vehicle.
vii) Erratic driving.
viii) Insufficient tyre pressures, car and caravan
ix) Incorrect vehicle towball height
x) Worn stabiliser pads or towball
Cures:
Cases of persistent snaking can be alleviated
by the use of a stabiliser.
On the road
If you do find your outfit snaking, try to keep
the steering wheel in a central position as far
as possible, decelerate and avoid braking if
possible.
Types of tyres fitted
The original tyres fitted by the manufacturer are
suitable for towing at maximum speed of up to
81 mph (130 kph).
Tyres
Caravan manufacturers choose the type,
size, profile, load carrying capacities and
speed ratings to match the design masses
of there vehicles, adjusting the tyre pressures
to suit. Only change the type of tyres on your
caravan on expert advice from the caravan
manufacturer, or tyre manufacturer.