CMC's
Know-How

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know-how

General rules for prevention

    • Do not use the trailer to transport people or non-compliant objects.
    • Use the trailer only under perfect technical conditions and carefully follow the instructions contained in this booklet.
    • Please remember that the maximum speed allowed while loading the trailer can be reduced: for more information, refer to the Traffic Rules of your Country.
    • Respect the sizes of the wheels and tires approved for your trailer. You can get all the necessary information in the Certificate of Conformity of the trailer.
    • When you leave your trailer unattended, do not forget to close all the doors, the windows and the external boxes.
    • Do not change or let other people change the installations or the electrical devices.
    • Remember the maximum height of the semitrailer from the ground (you will find this information in the vehicle registration document), in case of subways, tunnels, porches, etc..
    • Remember that the broad side surface of the Caravan makes it particularly sensitive to lateral gusts of wind. Reduce the speed in presence of this phenomenon and take extra care at the exit of tunnels, viaducts, and overtaking of trucks and coaches.
    • Please, be careful during the operations of coupling and uncoupling of the trailer.
    • After a period of inactivity, check the correct working of the main utilities: appliances, heating/cooling system, tanks, electrics and plumbing system.
    • Do not close the exits of the trailer and leave the spaces used for evacuation vacate.
    • Never let babies or animals alone inside the trailer.
    • Please make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy, near the entrance door of the trailer, the fire extinguisher, of the type approved by the Standards of your Country, with minimum capacity of 1 kg. The fire extinguisher needs to be periodically checked and recharged by authorized staff.
    • The technically allowed weight must never be overcome. The driver is responsible of the respect of the maximum load values allowed by the registration document and by the Traffic rules.
    • Please, remember that the weight of water inside the tank increases the total weight of the trailer during travel, which should be conform to the approved total weight. It is essential to empty all the tanks on the trailer.
    • In the case of inactivity of the trailer, especially during the winter season, please empty all the tanks, to prevent the build-up of foreign deposits and the risk to damage the plumbing system, due to the presence of ice.
    • The tax of humidity made by the bathroom, the kitchen and the human respiration, can increase the humidity levels inside the trailer. If you do not eliminate this humidity through ventilation and dehumidification, it can cause condensate on the surfaces, and this may cause some changes on them. The build-up of water caused by the condensation, may origin mold and allergic reactions. We recommend checking the internal humidity using a domestic hygrometer.
  • Very Important: after the first 50 km make sure all of the lug nuts are secure. Use a torque wrench.

Before using your Caravan, you should inspect all the tires for proper inflation, uneven wear on the tread, cracks, foreign objects, or other signs of wear or damage. Don’t forget to inspect your spare tire! If excessive or irregular tread wear, under-inflation or damage like scrapes, bulges, cracks, punctures, foreign objects embedded in the tire are present or if you are experiencing continuous pressure loss, the tire should be dismounted and inspected by a trained tire technician.

Tires deteriorate over time even if they are not used or driven on. This deterioration can cause tires to fail even when there is no visible sign of damage. Lack of use, overloading, and underinflation can cause tires to deteriorate faster. While there is no hard and fast rule or expiration date on tires, most experts recommend replacing tires every 4 to 6 years depending on use and climate. Regularly inspecting and replacing your tires can help prevent tire failure. Use the following information to make tire safety a regular part of your vehicle.

Safety First-Basic Tire Maintenance
The proper tire pressure for your vehicle is referred to as the ‘recommended cold inflation pressure’. Tire pressure should always be measured when the tire is cold to get an accurate measurement. A cold tire is one that hasn’t been driven on for at least three (3) hours. As you drive, your tires get warmer, causing the air pressure within the tire to increase. Therefore, you cannot get an accurate measurement of tire pressure unless the tire is cold.

Checking Tire Pressure
Because tires are designed to be used on more than one type of vehicle, tire manufacturers list the ‘maximum permissible inflation pressure’ on the sidewall. This number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under normal driving conditions and for carrying the maximum weight limit of tire capacity.

Note. It is important to check your vehicle’s tire pressure at least once a month for the following reasons:

  • Most tires naturally lose air pressure over time.
  • Tires can lose air suddenly if you drive over a pothole or strike the curb when parking.
  • For your convenience, purchase a tire pressure gauge to keep in your vehicle.

Tire Safety and Maintenance Checklist

  • Check tire pressure regularly (at least once a month), including the spare.
  • Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the tread, cracks, foreign objects, or other signs of wear or trauma.
  • Remove bits of glass and any other foreign objects wedged in the tread.
  • Make sure your tire valves have valve caps.
  • Check tire pressure before going on a long trip.
  • Do not overload your vehicle. Check the tire information placard for the maximum recommended load for the vehicle.
  • Do not drive on a flat or severely under-inflated tire. Driving on a flat tire for even a short distance can ruin the tire even if there is no visible damage.

This information identifies and describes the fundamental characteristics of the tire and also provides a tire identification number for safety standard certification.

  • Make sure all of the lug nuts are secure. Use a torque wrench.
  • It is important to maintain proper wheel nut torque to provide safe and secure attachment of the wheel to the hub/drum.
  • Be sure to use wheel nuts that meet chassis manufacturer’s requirements/specifications as outlined in the chassis’ owner’s manual. Improperly torqued wheel nuts can cause the wheel to separate from the wheel mounting surface during operation. This could result in property damage, serious personal injury or loss of life.

The following basic rules of fire protection can help avoid the possibility of a fire.

  • Never store flammable liquids in the trailer.
  • Never leave cooking food unattended.
  • Never smoke in bed and always use an ashtray.
  • Never allow children to play with electrical equipment.
  • Never use an open flame as a flashlight.
  • Have faulty or damaged wiring and electrical components repaired immediately.
  • Never overload electrical circuits.
  • Keep cooking surfaces clean and free from debris.
  • Be sure that everyone in your caravan is familiar with the location of all exits.
  • Make sure everyone is familiar with the location and proper operation of all fire extinguishers.

Plumbing system. Components of the plumbing system consist of strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant materials that provide long life and easy cleaning.

Fresh water. Fresh water is supplied by an outside source, connected through the water connection. Water provided from outside the trailer is pressurized by the system from which it is delivered. When connecting your Caravan to an outside source the water pressure is regulated by a pressure reducer. Near the main tap there is an additional water outlet.
Fresh water system can run under two modes: direct or by means of tanks, that takes water using a self-priming 230V pump.

Waste water. The waste water system includes a gray water system, which consists of the drain lines and holding tank for black water from the sinks and shower and the relative holding tank. The waste water system includes also a holding tank and drain for toilet wastes and a 24V pump. There is a big tank to collect black water. Grey water can be collect in a small tank (100 L) or can be direct drained outside. There are 2 “Sanivite” pumps to drain grey water.

Warning:
1.
Each tank should be emptied often and ONLY at dump stations designated for this purpose.
2. Always dump holding tanks before a trip to reduce the gross vehicle weight. It is very important that you keep enough water in the black water tank to cover the bottom to prevent hardening of any waste residue that may remain.
3. Never put anything in the holding tanks other than normal drain water, body waste, and biodegradable products. Paper wrappers, gum, cigarettes, etc., no matter how small, should NEVER be placed into either the gray or black tanks as doing so could cause damage to your plumbing system and/or tanks.
4. It is important to note that harmful and toxic materials can accumulate if the holding tanks are not regularly drained and thoroughly rinsed. It is also important to use holding tank deodorizing and cleaning agents in the waste water tanks to reduce odors and keep the lines open and free flowing.
5. At times, the rocking movement of the trailer while driving may empty the drain traps of their water and allow odors from the gray water tank to enter the caravan.

Winterization and De-winterization. The water pipes have an antifreeze system composed of a coil that lights up when the external probe reveals a temperature below 1° C. This will prevent the water from freezing inside the pipes that causes breakage malfunctions. The black water heater has been provided with heaters, as well, to avoid sewage’s freezing. We recommend to turn the pipes’ heater off during summer.

Water System Maintenance and Troubleshooting. As with any mechanical system, your plumbing is subject to the development of problems. Most of these problems can be greatly reduced, if not eliminated, by following a schedule of planned inspections and maintenance. Neglect of proper maintenance procedures is the usual cause of most water system problems.
Road vibrations and shocks, as well as excessive pressure from some city water sources, are the main physical causes of water system damage. It is important to inspect all plumbing joints and fittings often for cracks and leaks. If left unchecked, water leaking from a plumbing joint can cause considerable damage.
Proper winterization procedures of plumbing systems will normally be all that is necessary to prevent the damage caused by freezing. Freezing damage can harm any component of the system, including the water tanks, toilet, pump and all piping. Local climates vary and winter maintenance needs may be affected.

Use the radiocontrol to open and close the pullouts, balcony roof and floor and parking cylinders. Periodically check (every year) the hydraulic system and the oil-level inside the tank. Keep people and objects far from the pullouts during the operations of opening and closing. Danger of crashing.

Warning:

  • To avoid possible damage to the trailer, the leveling system, or personal injury, carefully read, study, and understand the leveling system operational procedure as outlined in the leveling jack’s owner’s manual before beginning the leveling operation.
  • Never expose hands or other parts of the body near hydraulic leaks. High-pressure oil leaks cause serious injury.
  • Never lift the trailer completely off the ground using only the leveling jacks. Doing so will create an unstable and unsafe condition. It could cause damage to the system as well as serious personal injury.
  • Never use the leveling jacks to raise the trailer to change a tire or to perform any other type of repair work. Always use proper equipment or contact a professional.
  • Keep people and pets clear of the trailer while the leveling system is in use.
  • Park the trailer on solid, level ground and clear the site of debris and obstructions. Avoid parking over holes or depressions in the ground.

Radiocontrol
The hydraulic system is driven by a ELCA GENIO SPHERA transmitting unit. The system can work by means of the manual levers, that you will find inside the belly box on the back. To activate the levers, push the green button at the same time.

Warnings

  • Always check the level of the battery charge of the remote control. If the battery is discharged, the hydraulic system will stop to avoid damages on the whole system.
  • In case of failures on the ELCA control unit, it is possible to remove it by disconnecting the ILME connector on the main control unit. In this case the hydraulic system will work by means of the manual levers only.  
  • Before to activate the levers, be sure to select the correct sector (white/blu)
  • In case of emergency, if you notice any abnormal movements, push the red main button “RESET” on the remote control (any malfunction could be due to a change in the density of the oil due to the temperature changes or to problems on the electrical system.
  • Before extending the slide-out, check the exterior of the caravan to be sure the out will not hit anything outside when it is fully extended and the interior to be sure the slide-out travel is free from obstruction.
  • Never move the trailer if the slideouts are extended.
Table I
Checks to be carried out before each trip
Item Procedures
Wheels and tires
Check tire inflation
Check that the bolts are tightened to a specific torque value
Table II
Monthly:
Item Procedures
Chassis and bodywork
Wash the chassis and bodywork with warm water and a neutral detergent, avoiding spraying water directly between the roof and the pullout
Water and discharges
Check pipes, fittings and connections of the plumbing system to check if there are leaks or wears
Table III
Yearly:
Item Procedures
Roof
Inspect and seal if necessary
Brakes
Check status and operation
Hydraulic system
Check fluid level
Lights
Check correct operation of the rear lights (stop, turn signals, fog lights, reverse gear, clearance lights, license plate)
Check correct operation of the side lights
Check correct operation of the front lights
Sanification
Wash or replace the extractor hood filter
Wash or replace faucet filters
Sanitize the filters of the internal climate units
Table IV
Cautions:
(at the beginning of the warm season)
Item Procedures
Plumbing system
Turn off the resistances inside the pipes
Underfloor heating
Turn off the underfloor heating system
(at the beginning of the cold season)
Item Procedures
Plumbing system
Prepare the Trailer for the beginning of the cold season to protect the plumbing system. The prevention from freezing damage must be carefully evaluated according to the climatic area in which the Trailer is located
Axles
Prevent freezing within suspensions

All checks are intended to be done if no malfunctions are detected first.

If faults appear, do not wait, resolve them as soon as possible so as not to increase the risk of causing damage to property and/or people.

Table I
Before Each Trip
Item Procedures
Tires and Wheels
Check bolts are tightened to specified torque value.
Check tire inflation pressure.
Windows and Doors
Check vinyl seals when washing exterior.
Check seals for damage and repair as needed.
Lubricate door hinges and step components with WD40.
Adjust and lubricate window latches with WD40.
Lube all door locks and strike pockets.
Water and Drainage
Check drainage systems for leaks and road damage.
Appliances
Remove food and ice from refrigerator after each trip.
Safety Equipment
Test all detector components.
Weight and Distribution
Keep within specified load limits.
Table II
Monthly
Item Procedures
Aluminium panels
Wash with warm water and mild detergent.
Water and Drainage
Check hoses, fittings and connections for leaks and wear.
Appliances
Wash filter on range exhaust hood.
Check for obstructions and dirt on ext. appliance vents.
Safety Equipment
Check fire extinguishers’ pressure and condition.
Wood Surfaces
Clean prefinished panels and wood with wood cleaner.
Table III
Every 6 Months
Item Procedures
Aluminium panels
Wax with liquid or paste wax.
Roof and Roof Components
Inspect and reseal as needed.
Axles
Check bolts are tightened to specified torque value.
Brakes
Check operation and for uneven wear.
Table IV
As Required
Item Procedures
Water and Drainage
Sanitize system.
Roof
Check for signs of wear and tear on the roof.
Chassis and Components
Follow chassis lubrication and maintenance procedures.

For any further information, don’t hesitate to contact us.