ON
THE
ROAD
DRIVING
AND
PARKING
Once you become accustomed
to
the feel
of
the
controls and the reference
points
from
the
driver's
seat, you will find driving the
motor
home comparable
to
driving your family car. Become familiar
with
the
position
of
the
motor
home in traffic, and
be
cautious
when
maneuvering
to
allow
for
the length and
width
of
the
vehicle. Always allow extra room'
to
corner and
to
change lanes. Learn
to
use
the
side mirrors to view
the
road behind. Check
them
often.
Drive
with
consideration on
the
highway, observing
all speed and safety regulations. The best cruising
speed
of
your
motor
home
will
vary
with
road and
weather
conditions.
Remember
that
your
motor
home is heavier
than
a car, making
it
less maneuverable and harder
to
stop.
Also, because
of
its
greater side surface area,
it
is
more easily affected by cross winds.
Allow
extra
distances for passing and stopping, and drive
at
a
moderate speed, particularly in
traffic
and in
gusty
wind
conditions.
Driving on winding
or
mountain roads is
not
difficult
if
done
with
reasonable care. Observe proper vehicle
speeds
when
ascending
or
descending hills and
always operate in
the
proper transmission range.
Downshift
on hills
to
avoid overheating
or
undue
engine loads.
Downshift
when
descending grades.
Engine braking power
will
help control vehicle speed,
and relieve some
of
the
strain on
the
brakes.
Road conditions, terrain, weather, and other driving
factors are
sometimes
unpredictable, and mountain
driving
or
desert temperatures can PUt extreme
demands on drive train components - especially
the
transmission. Under extreme heat conditions you may
need
to
turn
off
the vehicle air conditioner
to
improve
engine and transmission cooling.
Allow
for
the
extra
height
of
your
motor
home and
avoid areas having
low
overhead clearance. Check for
low-hanging tree branches
or
other
obstructions
whenever
you
drive
or
park. Avoid
low
roofs
when
pulling in
for
service. This may
be
particularly
important
if
you drive
with
the
overhead vents open
or
if
the
motor
home is equipped
with
a roof air
conditioner, roof rack,
CB
or
TV/radio antenna.
When parking parallel
to
a curb,
be
sure
to
allow
for
poles or obstructions
as
the front and rear portions
of
the
motor
home
swing
wider
than
an
automobile.
When parking on
an
incline, turn the
front
wheels into
the
curb in
the
direction
of
the
roll
to
aid
the
parking
brake.
Always
shift
the
transmission to
PARK
("P")
and set
the
parking brake
when
parking.
8
PARKING ON A GRADE
WITH
A TRAILER
You
should
not
park vehicles
with
trailers on a grade
or
hill. However,
if
you
must
park on a grade,
follow
these steps:
1.
Apply
and hold
the
regular brakes.
2.
Have someone place
wheel
chocks under
the
trailer wheels.
3. When
the
wheel
chocks are in place and
the
assistant is clear, release
the
brakes
until
the
chocks absorb
the
load.
4.
Apply
the
parking brake.
5.
Shift
the
transmission
to
"P"
(PARK,
with
auto-
matic
transmissions)
or
low
or
reverse
with
manual transmissions.
If
the
vehicle is parked on a grade,
don't
shift
the
transmission
to
"P"
(PARK)
until the trailer wheels
are
chocked and
the
parking brake is set.
If
you do,
the
weight
of
the
vehicle and trailer
may
put
so
much
strain on the transmission
that
it
may
be
hard
to
shift
out
of
"P"
(PARK).
When starting
after
being on a grade:
1.
Apply
and hold
the
regular brakes.
2.
Start engine in
"P"
(for
automati~
transmissions).
3.
Shift
into gear and release
the
parking brake.
4. Release
the
regular brakes and drive
until
the
chocks are free.
5.
Apply
the regular brakes and have someone
remove
the
chocks.
MISCELLANEOUS SAFETY TIPS
• Read and understand
the
Chassis Operator's
Manual.
• When backing
the
motor
home, have a person
stand
to
the
rear on
the
driver's side,
if
possible
to
guide you.
• Before departing on a trip,
check
your routes.
Remember, some
tunnels
prohibit
motor
homes
with
LP
gas systems.
• Drive
at
moderate speeds, particularly in
traffic
and in
gusty
wind
conditions.
•
Allow
extra distance
for
passing and stopping.
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