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Driving Cautions:
Avoid getting too close to the shoulder
of the road, which may be too soft to
support the weight of the motorhome.
Side spacing is best maintained by
keeping the motorhome centered in the
driving lane.
Driving lanes in work zones can be
uneven, congested and narrower than
usual.
Be cautious of road debris that can
damage the undercarriage of the
motorhome or become lodged in the
dual tires and cause damage to the tires,
wheel rims or tow vehicle.
On back roads and single divided
roads, tree branches and shrubbery can
protrude into the roadway. Watch for
low hanging branches especially during
inclement weather as rain and snow
will cause branches to hang lower than
usual.
Keep in consideration that posted
speed signs are usually passenger
automobile rated. Be extra aware
of driving conditions and use the
appropriate speed for a motorhome
when necessary, especially on corners
and mountain roads.
Downgrade speed should be at least
5 mph less than upgrade speed, or
downgrade speed should be attainable
within three seconds of a brake
application.
Use a four second rule when following
other vehicles at speeds under 40 mph.
Use a five second rule when following
at speeds over 40 mph.
Right Turns:
Negotiating a right hand turn in a motorhome
can be difficult. Many drivers fear they cannot
make the turn without entering into the other
lane or jumping the curb. Here are a few tips to
make a right hand turn easier:
As the turn approaches, look into the
mirror to ensure the lane to the left is
clear, then move wide over to the left.
When making the right turn, the left
rear wheel should touch the center line
of the road and the driver's hips should
be parallel to the roadside curb of the
corner being turned to aid in avoiding a
premature turn.
Make the turn slowly.
Check mirrors frequently. Stay aware
of necessary clearance and space
management of the motorhome while
negotiating the turn.
Left Turns:
DO NOT proceed with the turn until
the driver's seat is aligned with the
middle of the intersection. If two lanes
are available, take the right hand lane.
A vehicle or object located on the left-
hand side is easier seen.
Ascending a Grade:
When approaching an uphill grade, assess
the grade and length before beginning the
climb. Prepare early for long climbs. Unlike
gasoline engines, diesels do not necessarily
produce more power by pressing further on the
accelerator. A gasoline engine will operate at
full throttle (at least for a short period of time),
but a diesel usually just wastes fuel at full
050250d
throttle. The power output from a diesel engine
is dependent upon the following:
RPM - Every engine has a range
of RPM that produces power most
efficiently.
Fuel/Air Mixture - At a given RPM,
the engine, even with the help of a
turbo-charger, can only introduce
a given volume of air into the
combustion chamber. This volume of
air can efficiently combine with only so
much fuel; so adding more fuel to the
engine only wastes it.
Determine ranges where the motorhome
works best by driving long grades when
temperatures remain stable for the duration of
the climb.
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Troubleshooting
