Total Caravan Care - Maintenance and Servicing in Sussex and Hampshire » Uncategorized

Carbon monoxide

admin — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 18:17:04 +0000

I thought I would spend a few lines talking about carbon monoxide (CO) as the caravan/motorhome owner spends quite a great deal of time in a confined area, and can therefore be more likely to be the victim of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Q. What is carbon monoxide (CO) and where does it come from?
A. Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas produced when any fossil fuel burns incompletely. It has no smell, taste or colour. It leaks from flues, cooking and heating appliances when they have been poorly maintained or simply break down.

Q. What can carbon monoxide do to me?
A. Carbon monoxide bonds with the haemoglobin in the blood and replaces the oxygen needed to sustain your brain and body. It can kill quickly when it leaks in large quantities or can build up over time. Initially carbon monoxide causes symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and vomiting. It could actually be systematic of flu.

Q. Who is at risk?
A. All humans and animals are at risk from carbon monoxide.

Q. How do I know if I am suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning?
A. It is very hard to diagnose carbon monoxide poisoning simply because it is to flu, however asking the following questions may help.

Q: Are others in the caravan/motorhome feeling ill as well?
When you are outside the caravan/motorhome do you feel any better?
If the answer is yes, then you may be suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. The only way to be sure is to see your doctor.

Q: How can I protect myself?
A. Ensure that you have your caravan/motorhome regularly serviced and ensure that the individual appliances are also serviced. This will reduce the risk but all appliances can become faulty between service dates. A carbon monoxide alarm/detector officially approved and fitted will add greatly to your safety.

How often should the tyres on your caravan be changed?

NickYoung — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:27:45 +0000

Preferably replace any tyre more than five years old, but never exceed seven.
They will have significantly deteriorated by then, whatever the tread depth or amount of use. Remember that generally a caravan will travel far fewer miles than an average car and therefore the car tyres are normally wear to their limits within a five year period.

Some essential caravan terminology

NickYoung — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 22:21:58 +0000

MiRO (Mass in Running Order)

– This is the caravan’s weight with all factory fitted equipment, when it leaves the factory. MiRO replaces the old terms ‘ex works weight’ and ‘unladen weight’.

MTPLM (Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass)

– The maximum weight that the caravan chassis can take, as stated by the manufacturer of the chassis. It replaces Gross Vehicle Weight.

Payload

– The weight of items you could load into your caravan. It is derived by subtracting the caravan’s MiRO from its MTPLM.

Nosewight

– This is the weight applied to the towball by a caravan. It is important that the maximum noseweight is not exceeded. Both the car and tha caravan have maximum noseweight limits. The lower of the two is the legal maximum.

GTW (Gross Train Weight)

– The maximum combined weight of a car and trailer combination.

Towing limit

– The maximum weight of a trailer that a car may legally tow. It is often higher than the kerbweight.

Kerbweight

– As defined by EU Directive 95/48/EC. The vehicle’s weight with its fuel tank 90% full, all necessary fluids, driver and luggage of 75KG.