Swift Owner's Handbook - Swift Group

Never drill the coupling head to aid the fittingof a stabiliser.Suitable towing vehiclesThe caravan is manufactured for towingbehind normal road cars and is not suitablefor towing behind commercial vehicles. It isstrongly recommended that whenever acaravan is to be towed over rough terrain,e.g. a farmer’s field or track, great careshould be taken to ensure that no unduestress is placed upon the caravan via thehitch mounting, i.e. reduce speed. If indoubt, please consult the caravan manufacturerand the towing vehicle manufacturerwho will advise on the most appropriateshock absorbing hitch mounting.SnakingThis is a term used to denote an unstablecar and caravan combination where thecaravan ‘weaves’ from side to side oftencausing a similar swaying movement in thecar 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 movingvehicle.vii) Erratic driving.viii) Insufficient tyre pressures.ix) Mixing radial and cross ply tyres.Cures:Cases of persistent snaking can bealleviated by the use of a stabiliser, aboutwhich your dealer will advise you.On the roadIf you do find your outfit snaking, try to keepthe steering wheel in a central position as faras possible, decelerate and avoid braking ifpossible.OTHER IMPORTANT TOWINGCONSIDERATIONS THAT COULD AFFECTSTABILITYTypes of tyres fittedThe tyres fitted by the manufacturer aresuitable for towing at sustained speeds of upto 81 mph (130 kph).Radial and cross ply tyres should never bemixed. It is dangerous and can causesnaking.Periodically tyres should be rotated toequalise wear in the same manner as cartyres.Do not mix four ply/six ply/eight ply tyres onthe same axle.The Towing CodeTyre TreadThe law requires that tyres and pressuresmust be suitable for the use to which theyare being put. The minimum tread depth ofboth car and caravan tyres must be 1.6mmthroughout a continuous band comprisingthe central three quarters of the breadth oftread and around the entire circumference ofthe tyre.Tyre pressuresTowing vehicles’ tyres must be at thepressures recommended for towing or heavyloading as stated in handbook not on tyrewall. Towing stability may otherwise beaffected. The pressures can be found in thetowing vehicle handbook. The caravan tyrepressures should be as recommended in thespecification details in your handbook.Note: Although the caravan may be fittedwith the same type of tyre as the towingvehicle, the pressures specified are different.All charts show values for cars and aretherefore not applicable for caravans.Pressures displayed on tyre walls applyONLY in North America and Canada.WheelsCaravan wheel nuts should be tightened to atorque of 88Nm (65lb/ft) on steel wheels or115Nm (85lb/ft) on alloy wheels and shouldbe checked with the use of a torque wrenchregularly. Only use a spare wheel and tyrerecommended by the manufacturer.9