Warranty
Respo Haagised AS provides a 2-year warranty for their trailers starting from the date of sale.
If the trailer has not been used according to the user instructions, the manufacturer shall not accept reclamations.
Respo Haagised AS provides a 2-year warranty for their trailers starting from the date of sale.
If the trailer has not been used according to the user instructions, the manufacturer shall not accept reclamations.
1.GENERAL
This operating and maintenance manual is designed to help you in the safe and long-term operation of our Mini-Caravan. Please read this manual before using the mini-caravan and follow the requirements, as compliance with the requirements is the basis for our trailer’s two-year warranty.
2.COUPLING THE MINI-CARAVAN
Attach the safety cable of the Mini-Caravan to the coupling hook of the towing vehicle and check its condition. Lift the coupling device of the trailer onto the ball mount of the towing vehicle and push it down until the coupling device locks into place with an audible click. When lifting, consider the weight of the trailer to avoid any potential injuries. The green status indicator on the coupling device of the Mini-Caravan indicates that the trailer coupling is firmly locked.
ATTENTION: If the trailer coupling device does not lock in the position shown in Figure 1, determine the cause and do not start driving; it is prohibited! The explanations for coupling device status indicators are shown in Section 2.1.
When uncoupling the Mini-Caravan, follow steps described in paragraph 3.
When the coupling device is properly locked, use the crank 1 to turn the support wheel 2 into the prescribed position, i.e. into the groove, which fixes the wheel position parallel to the driving direction and prevents spontaneous loosening. Then, open the support wheel clamp 3 and lift the support wheel to the upper position as shown in Figure 2. When the support wheel is in the upper position, close the clamp to prevent the support wheel from dropping.
Plug the power cable of the mini-caravan into the power socket of the towing vehicle and before driving check if the trailer lights are in proper operating condition. Before plugging in the power cable, make sure that both the plug and the socket are clean.
ATTENTION: Do not start driving in case trailer lights fail to operate in the prescribed mode!
2.1. Coupling device status indicators
Red ‘x’ position indicates that the coupling device is unsecured.
Green ‘+’ position indicates that the coupling device is secured, sits correctly on the ball mount; driving is allowed.
Red ‘–‘ position indicates that the coupling device is not properly secured; driving is prohibited. The coupling device is not locked onto the ball mount or the coupling device and/or the ball mount is too worn.
ATTENTION: Intermediate positions of the coupling device between – or + and + or x are not allowed; these positions indicate that the coupling device or the ball mount is too worn; driving is prohibited!
3.3. UNCOUPLING AND PARKING THE MINI-CARAVAN
To uncouple the Mini-Caravan:
– Loosen the support wheel clutch and lower the support wheel to the ground. Fix the position of the support wheel with a clutch. The support wheel should be levelled in such a way to ensure that the trailer is horizontal;
– Press on the safety catch of the coupling device, pull the handle up, and then move in the direction 2 shown in Figure 3 until the device is uncoupled and released from the ball mount. Lift the coupling device slightly away from the ball mount, paying attention to the trailer weight to avoid potential injuries;
– Remove the Mini-Caravan safety cable from the ball mount of the towing vehicle;
– Remove the trailer’s power cable from the power socket of the towing car and place it in the socket holder of the Mini-Caravan;
– Choose a flat, hard, non-slippery ground for parking the trailer; be sure not to stop or park the trailer on a slope or on smooth ground with soft substrate;
– Once a stationary location for the mini-caravan has been found, be sure to mount support legs and wheel chocks, and if the model has a parking brake then move the brake into parking position;
-The Mini-Caravan must be positioned as horizontally as possible to prevent the spontaneous movement of open doors and windows, or the entry of water or snow accumulated at the edges of doors and windows into the trailer.
ATTENTION: It is prohibited to operate or enter the Mini-Caravan before mounting the support legs, wheel chocks, and moving the parking brake into parking position (if the trailer has brakes)!
4.LOADING THE MINI-CARAVAN
The maximum permissible gross vehicle weight and unladen weight of the trailer are indicated on the trailer registration certificate. The payload of the trailer is calculated as the difference between gross weight and unladen weight.
ATTENTION: Overloading the trailer is prohibited – it can cause traffic hazard, premature wear, and the bending and breaking of parts of the trailer! We draw attention to the fact that the user’s lack of knowledge of the weight of the load does not exonerate them from the responsibilities arising from possible consequences of overloading.
Trailer damage indicative of overloading is not covered by the warranty, regardless of whether it was caused during driving or while stationary.
The term ‘load’ also includes all the reservoirs (water, toilet, etc.), which must be closed, secured, and emptied before driving.
The load must be spread as evenly as possible and secured to the trailer so that:
– it will not cause damage to the trailer or its interior and devices during driving;
– it does not affect the steerability of the trailer and thereby avoiding any hazardous situations;
– it prevents uneven wear and tear of tyres and wheel bearings but also other damage.
Positioning the load only to the rear of the trailer is prohibited, as it will cause the towing hook of the vehicle to raise, resulting in the coupled combination becoming very unstable when driving.
To ensure better road stability, the maximum coupling device load requirements must be followed, with vertical load up to 10% of gross weight but not above the value indicated on the coupling device.
ATTENTION: Mini-caravans are not intended for use as a load transporting truck! Pay attention to the allowed load capacity!
5.BEFORE DRIVING
Before driving, check the following:
– the condition of the coupling device (see Figure 1 and Section 2.1). It is important to ensure that the height of the towing hook of the towing vehicle is within range of 430 ± 35 mm according to standard DIN 74058;
– the secure coupling of the trailer and the towing vehicle; there should be no gap, and the ball mount of the vehicle should be completely inside the coupling device (see section 2.1);
– that the safety cable of the trailer is mounted on the coupling hook and that the safety cable is in good working condition;
– that the power plug of the trailer is connected to the towing vehicle and that all trailer lights are working properly;
– the condition of trailer tyres, tyre pressure, and proper wheel attachment;
– that the removable and securable parts of the trailer (including support legs and wheel chocks) are safely secured or removed;
– that the parking brake of the trailer is released (in case of trailers with brakes);
– that the support wheel is raised to the upper position, the support wheel must be parallel to the direction of driving;
– that the doors and windows of the trailer are properly locked. Driving with unlocked doors and windows is prohibited; it can lead to hazardous situations!
– double check that the trailer is not overloaded (see Section 4) and that no one is inside.
6.TRAVELING WITH A MINI-CARAVAN
When traveling with a Mini-Caravan, you must follow the traffic regulations of the country of location; be sure to familiarise yourself with the regulations before driving. Driving permissions and requirements for traveling with a Mini-Caravan may vary from country to country. Driving with a trailer is only permitted to persons in possession of relevant authorisation.
ATTENTION: When reversing the trailer, make sure there are no people behind it and that there is enough room for reversing! During reversing, the trailer revolves around the towing vehicle’s ball mount; therefore, the steering wheel must be steered in the direction opposite to the intended driving direction. Take wide turns at curves and reserve a longer drive-up distance when changing lanes. Keep in mind that steering might be affected by wind when towing a mini-caravan with greater lateral area.
ATTENTION: The mini-caravan is not intended for driving on hilly, bumpy and uneven terrains, and in difficult road conditions (strong winds or snow and rain), in thick mud, on soft surfaces, in snow, and in water.
7.7. MAINTENANCE AND SERVICING
7.1. General maintenance and servicing
To ensure the good technical condition of the mini-caravan it must be regularly serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
After the first 500 km check all the fastenings of windows and doors, make sure that all screw fittings, incl. wheel bolts are tight; if necessary, tighten them. The normal tightening torque for the wheel bolt is 100–120 Nm.
To extend the service life of tyres, proper tyre pressure must be maintained in the tyres. In the event of rapid, uneven and premature wear of tyres, check axle alignment and tyre pressure. The regulations for tyres vary from country to country, but as a rule, towing vehicle and the Mini-Caravan must have the same type of tyres. Contact your dealer for details.
The dimensions and load index of trailer tyres and wheels must conform to the parameters prescribed by the manufacturer (check registration certificate). The minimum tyre tread depth for summer and winter tyres must conform to requirements of the country of location. Contact your dealer for details.
The Mini-Caravan is equipped with zero-maintenance wheel bearings. If the bearing is worn or damaged, it must be replaced immediately and the cause of the damage should be identified. In most cases, this is due to uneven loading of the trailer. Contact your dealer for details.
The owner is obligated to perform initial maintenance with the manufacturer or their authorised representative at the latest one year after the purchase of the trailer or after 10,000 km. In the future, periodic maintenance should be carried out at least every 10,000 km.
The LED light bulbs in marker lamps may degrade in course of time, in which case they need to be replaced. We recommend having this performed by the manufacturer or their authorised representative.
The Mini-Caravan must be kept clean; it should be washed regularly, similarly to a car; standard car wash detergent is also suitable for washing the trailer. The trailer must always be washed immediately after driving on salted roads, as de-icing salt and other substances used in road maintenance may cause irreversible damage to the outer surface of the trailer, especially to zinc-coated and galvanised materials.
Under winter conditions, the roof of a trailer that is immobile for an extended period, should be cleared of accumulated snow thicker than 10 cm. This prevents damage to the roof and walls caused by excessive load.
To prevent the doors and windows from freezing, their seals must be regularly smeared with special silicone. Door lock must be cleaned and oiled once in four months.
The braking system of the trailer requires continuous maintenance and proper adjustment; therefore, we recommend having this performed by the manufacturer or their authorised representative. Contact your dealer for details.
To reduce the wear of the ball mount and the mounting device, smear regularly with weatherproof lubricant. This action should also be performed whenever the coupling device is not functioning seamlessly.
ATTENTION: Do not carry flammable liquids in the trailer, as it may result in a fire hazard.
Zinc-coated components of the new mini-caravan are initially shiny, but over time, they fade as zinc reacts with oxygen in the air. This is the normal oxidation process that renders the zinc layer making it even more resistant to corrosion.
7.2. Maintenance and servicing of additional installations
If your Mini-Caravan is fitted with kitchen, water, electricity or gas appliances, they should be inspected and serviced annually by a competent specialist. For more information see the operating and maintenance instructions of your specific appliance. The owner is responsible for ensuring that the requirements for the appliances are followed and that they can be used safely.
7.3.Altering the Mini-Caravan, changing its appliances and interior
Changes and alterations to the appliances and interior of the Mini-Caravan need to be approved by the manufacturer in writing. Manufacturer will review the alteration proposal to make sure all technical and safety requirements for the Mini-Caravan are met. The warranty for the trailer will terminate in case changes or alterations to the trailer or to its interior have been made without the approval from the manufacturer.
8.WARRANTY
The warranty period for Mini-Caravan is 2 years for a private person. The purchaser must inform the dealership that sold them the Mini-Caravan of discovering a defect, for which they intend to make a claim, within 3 working days. The dealership must be given the opportunity to check the alleged malfunction. If the defect is to be eliminated in the scope of the warranty, the dealership will provide the manufacturer with a written claim as agreed. We recommend that you insure the mini-caravan to reduce restoration costs in case of major damage (natural disasters, traffic accidents, interior decay, etc.).
The warranty is valid only if the owner complies with the requirements in this manual and if the mini caravan undergoes regular maintenance.
You can order accessories to Your Respo Mini-Caravan according to Your needs. Kitchenettes, refrigerators, heating appliances, lighting, work surfaces, storage, shelves, electric systems and solar panels. Transform Your Caravan into a unique companion that you never get tired of.
