2008 DODGE SPRINTER Owners Manual

279 Controls in detail
Transporting
3
The load's overall center of gravity
should be as low and central as possible,
between the axles near the rear axle. For crewbus models:
\1
Always transport loads in the load
compartment.
\1
Always place loads flush against the
seat backrests of the rear bench
seat.
\1
Slide larger and heavier loads as far
forward as possible when looking in
the direction of travel. Stack items
against each other behind the rear
bench seat.
\1
Always secure loads with suitable
transport aids or lashing materials.
Load distribution!
CAUTION
Excessive loads on individual points
of the load compartment floor or load
surface have a negative effect on
handling characteristics and could
damage the floor covering.
iObserve the following notes:\4
Do not stack loads higher than
the upper edge of the backrests.
\4
Transport loads behind seats that
are not occupied.
\4
If the rear bench seat is not occu-
pied, insert the seat belts in a
crosswise pattern into the oppo-
site belt buckles.
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280 Controls in detailTransporting
3
As the driver of the vehicle, you are re-
sponsible for ensuring that the load is
secured against slipping, tipping over,
rolling or falling down, whether driving in
normal traffic situations or on poor road
surfaces or as a result of having to
swerve to avoid an obstacle or applying
the brakes fully.
Failing to secure the load in accordance
with relevant requirements and sound
practice may be a punishable offense,
depending on national legislation and
the consequences that arise.
For this reason, observe the legal re-
quirements in all countries concerned.Before each journey and at regular inter-
vals during longer journeys, check
whether the load is secure and take ad-
ditional action to improve any incorrect
or inadequate safety measures.
\1
Fill up any empty spaces between
the load and the load compartment
walls or wheel arches in a form-fit-ting manner. For this purpose, use
solid transport aids, such as chocks,
wooden blocks or storage cushions.
\1
Secure tilt and tip-resistant loads in
all directions by using the lashing
points or lashing eyes and load rails
in the load compartment or on the
load surface, according to your vehi-
cle's equipment.
Only use lashing materials that have
been tested according to valid stan-
dards, such as lashing nets and
straps.
Securing a load
iInformation about how to secure a
load correctly can be obtained from
the manufacturers of transport aids
or lashing materials for securing
loads.
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281 Controls in detail
Transporting
3
Always use the lashing points closest
to the load for securing it in place
and place padding around sharp edg-
es.
Example illustration of crewbus
1Lashing eyesExample illustration of panel van
1Lashing eyes
2Load rails*
iLashing materials that comply with
valid standards can be obtained in
any specialist shop or from an autho-
rized Sprinter Dealer.
If possible, use the lashing eyes
when securing a load, especially if it
is heavy.
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282 Controls in detailTransporting
3
\1
Always attach the lashing net or
tarps to all available lashing points.
While doing so, make sure that the
mounting hooks cannot open unin-
tentionally.
Warning
G
Do not carry out any modifications or repairs
to the lashing points, the lashing eyes or the
lashing materials. The load or the lashing
points could accidentally come loose and
cause serious injury to you or others as well
as damage to property.Distribute loads evenly between the lash-
ing points or lashing eyes.
Observe the loading guidelines.iLoose loads should be secured with
an approved lashing net or tarp.
!
CAUTION
Observe the data on the maximum
load-bearing capacity of the individu-
al lashing points
(\2
page 629).
During full-braking applications, for
example, forces can be involved that
are much greater than the weight
force of the load.
Always use several lashing points in
order to distribute force absorption,
and make sure that the lashing
points have an equal load.
iIf your vehicle has load rails in the
floor, you should position locking
rods immediately in front of and be-
hind the load. The locking rods ab-
sorb possible shifting forces directly.
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283 Controls in detail
Transporting
3
Warning
G
If you tension the lashing straps between
the side walls or between a side wall and
the load compartment floor, the permissi-
ble load for the lashing rails, lashing
points or lashing eyes could be exceeded
in the event of strong braking, sudden
changes of direction or an accident.The load would no longer be secured,
which could result in serious injuries
caused by the load slipping.
Continued
Warning (Continued)
G
For this reason, do not tension a lashing
strap between the side walls or between a
side wall and the load compartment floor.
Only locking bars or rods may be installed
between the load rails near the side walls. Observe the operating instructions issued
by the locking bar or locking rod manufac-
turer.
iSecuring loads to the load compart-
ment floor is only recommended for
lightweight loads and should be rein-
forced by using anti-slip mats.Warning
G
Before releasing lashing straps, make
sure that the load is stable and would not
tip over even without being lashed down.
Otherwise, you or others could be injured
by a moving load.
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284 Controls in detailTransporting
3
Mounting lashing points for load
rails*1Locking mechanism\1To install:
slide the lashing eye
through a recess in the load rail close
to the load until locking mechanism
1
in the recess engages.
iWhen you pull locking
mechanism
1
out of the recess, the
lashing eye is able to move within the
lashing rail or load rail. Make sure
that locking mechanism
1
is always
engaged in a recess.
Warning
G
If the lashing eye is not firmly anchored in
the load rail, the lashing eye may slip or
snap out of the load rail in the event of
sudden braking or an accident.
The load would no longer be secured,
which could result in serious injuries
caused by the load slipping.
For this reason, always check that the
lashing eye is firmly in place whenever
you install it.
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285 Controls in detail
Transporting
3
\1
Check whether the lashing eye is
firmly in place.
\1To remove:
pull locking mechanism
1
upward and pull the lashing eye
through a recess towards the locking
mechanism and out of the load rail.
It is possible to mount a roof rack if your
vehicle is equipped with securing rails
on the roof.
1Securing railsSpecial mountings (sliding blocks) are
available as accessories. These are
available from any authorized Sprinter
Dealer.
Carrier systems
Warning
G
Handling and braking characteristics may
change when you have mounted carrier
systems on the vehicle. You could endan-
ger yourself and others.Observe the manufacturer’s installation
instructions. An incorrectly secured carri-
er system or load could:\4come loose\4fall offand thereby endanger yourself and
others.
Continued
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286 Controls in detailTransporting
3
Only install roof racks that have been
approved or recommended for Sprinter
vehicles. These are available in any au-
thorized Sprinter Dealer.Observe the instructions in the “Opera-
tion” section (
\2
page 303).
Warning (Continued)
G
Observe the maximum roof loads
(\2page 630), the maximum axle load
and the maximum load-bearing capacity
of the roof rack.!
CAUTION
Make sure that:
the securing bolts for the roof
rack are tightened to a torque of
6.0 – 7.4 lb-ft (8 – 10 Nm) in the slid-
ing blocks provided
the bolts do not make contact with
the rails when tightened
the sliding blocks are not positioned
near the plastic caps
the sliding blocks have the correct
cross-section
the securing rails are free of dirt on
the inside
the securing bolts are retightened
evenly after approximately 300 miles
(500 km)
This will help to avoid damage to the
vehicle.
!
CAUTION
If you wish to retrofit securing rails,
have them installed at a qualified
specialist workshop which has the
necessary specialist knowledge and
tools to carry out the work required.
You could otherwise damage the ve-
hicle.
The manufacturer recommends that
you use an authorized Sprinter Deal-
er for this purpose.
Trailer towing
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