Get Driving and Operation -> Caravan / trailer towing Guide for Vauxhall Meriva SUV First Generation (2003-2010)

166

Drivin g and Operation

Caravan / trailer towing

Caravan and trailer loads¹⁾

The permissible caravan / trailer loads are

vehicle-dependent and engine-dependent

maximum values which must not be

exceeded. The actualcaravan / trailer load

is the difference between the actual gross

weight of the caravan / trailer and the

actual coupling socket load with the

caravan / trailer coupled.

When the caravan / trailer load is being

checked, therefore, only the caravan /

trailer wheels – and not the jockey wheel –

must be standing on the weighing

apparatus.

Picture no: 13670t.tif

Picture no: 17923s.tif

Dismounting the coupling ball bar

Unlockcouplingball bar (key to position 1 –

see page 164, Fig. 12416 T).

Stowage of coupling ball bar

The permissible caravan / trailer loads for

your vehicle are specified in the vehicle

documents. Unless otherwise specified,

they are valid for gradients up to

max. 12%.

Place coupling ball bar in bag, as shown on

page 163 in Fig. 14195 S, and attach next

to vehicle tools, beneath the spare wheel.

Pull turn knob out and turn it forwards as

far as it will go. Remove coupling ball bar

downwards out of coupling housing.

On vehicles with a tyre repair kit 3, the

coupling ball bar is stored in the left

stowage compartment beneath the floor

cover in the luggage compartment - see

illustration above.

Fold away the socket – see page 164,

Fig. 15271 S.

Insert the sealing plug in the hole for the

coupling ball bar.

Do not use steam-jet cleaners or other

high-pressure cleaners to clean the

coupling ball bar.

Observe national regulations.

Driving and Operation 167

The permissible caravan / trailer load

should be fully utilised only by drivers who

are adequately experienced in towing

large or heavy caravans / trailers.

Coupling socket load

Rear axle load during towing

The coupling socket load is the load

exerted by the caravan / trailer on the

coupling ball. It can be varied by changing

the weight distribution when loading the

caravan / trailer.

With the caravan / trailer connected and

the towing vehicle fully loaded, including

all occupants, the permitted rear axle load

(specified on identification plate and

vehicle documents) may be exceeded by

no more than 25 kg, and the maximum

permitted Gross Vehicle Weight by no more

than 30 kg.

The permitted caravan / trailer load

applies upto the specified incline and upto

an altitude of 1000 metres above sea-level.

Since engine power decreases as altitude

increases because of the air becom ing

thinner,therefore reducing climbing ability,

the permitted towing weight also

decreases by 10% for every 1000 metres of

additional altitude. The towing weight

does not have to be reduced when driving

on roads with slight inclines (less than 8%,

e.g. motorways).

The maximum permissible coupling socket

load (55 kg) of the towing vehicle is

specified on the towing equipment

identification plate and in the vehicle

docum ents. This m ust always b e comp lied

with, particularly in the case of heavy

caravans / trailers. The coupling socket

load should be no less than 25 kg.

If the maximum permitted rear axle load is

exceeded, a maximum speed of 60 mph

(100 km/h) applies, and 50 mph (80 km/h)

for commercial vehicles. Slower national

maximum speed limits for towed vehicles

must be complied with.

When measuring the coupling socket load,

make sure that the drawbar of the loaded

caravan / trailer is at the same height as it

willbe when the caravan / trailer is coupled

with the towingvehicle loaded. Particularly

important for caravans / trailers with

tandem axle.

The actual caravan / trailer load plus the

actual gross weight of the towing vehicle

must not exceed the maximum permitted

towing weight. For example, if the

permitted Gross Vehicle Weight is utilised,

the caravan / trailer load mustonly be used

until the maximum permitted towing

weight is reached. The maximum

permitted towing weight is shown on the

identification plate – see page 206.

168

Drivin g and Operation

Handling is greatly influenced by the

loading of the caravan / trailer. Loads

should therefore be secured so that they

cannot slip, and should be placed in the

centre of the caravan / trailer if possible,

i.e. above the axle.

In the case of caravans / trailers with low

driving stability, do not exceed a speed of

50 mph (80 km/h); the use of a friction-type

stabiliser is strongly recommended.

Do not drive faster than 50 mph (80 km/h)

if possible, even in countries where higher

speeds are permitted.

Mak e sure that y ou ha ve enoug h room

when cornering and avoid sudden

manoeuvres.

Picture no: 9358t.tif

Picture no: 12421t.tif

Tyre pressure

Driving characteristics, towing tips

On the towing vehicle, increase the tyre

pressure to the value given for full load –

see page 216. Also check tyre pressures of

the trailer wheels and the spare wheel 3.

In the case of caravans / trailers with

brakes, attach the break-away stopping

cable to the eye (arrow in illustration).

If the caravan / trailer starts to sway, drive

more slowly, do not attempt to correct the

steering and brake sharply if necessary.

Before attaching the caravan / trailer,

lubricate the ball of the caravan / trailer

towing device. However, do not lubricate

the ball if a stabiliser, which acts on the

coupling ball, is being used to damp

snaking.

If it is necessary to apply the brakes fully,

depress the footbrake as hard as possible.

Remember that the braking distance for

vehicles towing caravans / trailers with and

without brakes is always greater than that

for vehicles not towing a caravan / trailer.

Check caravan / trailer lighting before

starting to drive. The fog tail light on the

vehicle is deactivated when towing a

caravan or trailer.

Caravan / trailers with LED turn signals

must have a provision that makes it

possible to monitor standard light bulbs.

Turn signal control indicator - see page 86.

Driving and Operation 169

When driving downhill, the brakes are

under considerablymore load when towing

a caravan / trailer. For this reason, drive in

the same gear as if driving uphill and drive

at a similar speed.

Before starting-off under extreme

conditions (high combination weight,

mountainous terrain with steep inclines),

switch off all unnecessary electrical loads

(e.g. heated rear window, air conditioning

system 3, heated front seats 3 ).

In Automatic mode, the Easytronic 3

automatically selects the drive programme

with optimum engine braking effect.

The cooling fan is electrically operated. Its

cooling power is therefore independent of

the engine speed.

Since a considerable amount of heat is

generated at high engine speeds and less

at slower speeds, do not shift down when

climbing hills while the vehicle is still coping

with the gradient in the higher gear.

Picture no: 14196s.tif

Starting on inclines

For vehicles with manual transmission, the

most favourable engine speed when

starting-off on an incline is between 2500

and 3000 rpm for petrol engines and

between 2000 and 2500 rpm for diesel

engines. Hold engine speed constant,

engage clutch gradually (let slip), release

ha ndb ra ke and open throttle. If possible,

the engine speed should not drop during

this procedure.

Diesel engines: On gradients of 10% or

more, do not drive faster than 20 mph

(30 km/h) in first gear or 30 mph (50 km/h)

in second gear.

For vehicles with Easytronic 3in Automatic

mode, simply apply full gas.

Driving and Operation -> Caravan / trailer towing for Your Vauxhall Meriva SUV First Generation (2003-2010)

Related Topics

Popular Owner Manuals

Latest Owner Manuals