Operation Manual

Helpful notes
18
198 Caravan - 14-09 - EN
18.9 Tips on staying overnight safely during travel
Prudent behaviour is the most important protective measure for insuring a safe
night in the caravan.
The risk of thievery is reduced to a minimum when the following basic rules are
observed:
z Before commencing the journey, close and lock all windows, doors and sky-
lights.
z If present: Switch on or activate anti-theft alarm and special door securing
devices. Warning devices against gas assaults using anaesthetic gas are offered
at camping supply stores.
z During high season do not spend the night at highway rest stops or parking
areas located along typical vacation routes.
z If possible, stay overnight in large, occupied car parks, e.g. near a restaurant.
z Even if it is just for one night, go to a camping site.
z Only take with you those valuables which are absolutely necessary for the
journey. If possible, store valuables in a small safe and not in the immediate
vicinity of windows or doors.
z Always lock up the vehicle.
18.10 Tips for winter campers
The following tips will help make your winter camping experience as agreeable as
possible.
z Reserve your parking place in good time. Good winter camping sites are often
booked up early.
z Do not start your trip without winter tyres.
z Choose your parking place with care. Observe the ground beneath you. Snow
and ice may melt.
z Place boards of a sufficient size under the jockey wheel and the corner steadies
to prevent then from sinking when the snow thaws.
z When the vehicle has been positioned, release the handbrake to prevent
freezing.
z Protect the handbrake lever and the accumulator against frost with protective
covers.
z No snow walls should be allowed to cover the built-in forced ventilation.
z Protect the gas bottle compartment against freezing with a protective cover.
z Do not leave waste water in the tank but drain it into a bucket.
z Keep the built-in forced ventilation free from snow and ice.
z Make sure the air circulation is good. Good air circulation prevents moisture
from collecting and makes it easier to heat the living area.
z Follow the instructions in the section "Gas supply in European countries".
z Use a two-bottle system with automatic controller for the gas system, so that
the supply does not run out during the night.
z Only operate the gas system using propane gas.
z Do not use the space behind the heater as a storage compartment.
z Never operate catalytic ovens or infra-red gas radiators in the interior of the
vehicle, since they consume oxygen for burning.
z Lay the 240 V power cable in such a way that the cable cannot be frozen or be
damaged (e.g. during snow removal).
z Use a winter awning.
z When it is snowing heavily, clear the roof of the vehicle of snow regularly. A few
centimetres of powdery snow serves as insulation, but wet snow quickly
becomes a heavy burden.
z Before embarking on the return journey, remove all the snow from the roof to
avoid impeding vehicles behind you with a "snow flag".