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Section 4: Vehicle Operation
Vehicle Operation
Your motor home will travel safely and comfortably at highway speed limits. However, it
will take longer than a passenger automobile to reach that speed. Allow more time to go
around the vehicle you are passing. Avoid situations that might require sudden momentum
changes as the length of the motor home affects your ability to quickly cut back into traf
-
fic. Swerves and sharp turns, especially at high speeds, could result in loss of control of the
motor home.
The motor home has a longer turning radius. When turning, check the road clearance and be
aware of others, especially if towing a vehicle behind your motor home.
Adverse weather conditions and extremes in terrain may affect the performance and han
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dling of your vehicle. Do not operate the cruise control on icy or extremely wet roads, gravel
roads, winding roads, in heavy traffic, or in any other traffic situation where a constant speed
cannot be maintained. Use care when accelerating or decelerating on a slippery surface.
Abrupt speed changes can cause skidding and loss of control.
NOTE: CALIFORNIA TIRE CHAIN NOTICE: YOUR MOTOR HOME
MAY NOT BE OPERATED WITH TIRE CHAINS
Braking and Stopping
Even though your motor home is equipped with brakes designed for its Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) we suggest you practice stopping away from traffic until you become ac
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customed to your motor home’s stopping distance. Your motor home is equipped with a
third brake light that activates when the brakes are engaged.
When descending a long hill, shift the transmission into a lower gear and engage the aux-
iliary engine braking. If your motor home is equipped with an auxiliary engine brake, en-
gagement is activated by a switch on the driver’s console. See the chassis owner’s manual
for additional information. The transmission and engine will help in controlling downhill
speed and can lengthen brake life. The distance required to stop the motor home is greater
than an automobiles.
Driving through water deep enough to wet the brakes may affect stopping distance or cause
the vehicle to pull to one side. Check the motor home’s brake operation in a safe area to be
sure they have not been affected.
Never operate any vehicle if a difference in braking
efficiency is noticeable.
Parking Brake
The parking brake should be engaged when the motor home is parked. Never drive your
motor home with the parking brake engaged as this will reduce braking effectiveness and
cause excessive driveline wear. Refer to your Chassis guide for more information on the
parking brake.
Your motor home chassis braking system is rated for operation at GVWR not
GCWR.
Table of Contents
Summary of Contents for SENECA 2023
Page 1: ...2023 OWNER S MANUAL A subsidiary of Thor Industries Inc SENECA...
Page 2: ......
Page 20: ...14 Section 1 Warranty Service Notes Table of Contents...
Page 32: ...26 Section 3 Pre Travel Information Notes Table of Contents...
Page 54: ...48 Section 4 Vehicle Operation Notes Table of Contents...
Page 62: ...56 Section 5 Slideout Systems Notes Table of Contents...
Page 84: ...78 Section 7 Fuel Propane System Notes Table of Contents...
Page 108: ...102 Section 8 Plumbing System Notes Table of Contents...
Page 136: ...130 Section 14 Travel Camping Storage Checklists Notes Table of Contents...
Page 140: ...134 Section 15 Additional Information Notes Table of Contents...