Mandalay 38A 2004, Owner'S Manual

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DRIVING
Now that you have determined your vehicle’s weight and balance you are ready to pull out on the open road.
The RV is equipped with more than adequate brakes; however, the stopping distance may be much greater
than your automobile. Keep this in mind at all times and be alert to changing road conditions.
It would be helpful to take your RV out to a stadium parking lot and spend some time getting the feel of the
wider and longer vehicle.
Small fluorescent sports cones, available at sporting goods and toy stores, can be used to create turns and
parking spaces. Dowels with small flags can be attached to make the cones more visible in the passenger’s
side view mirror. Practice parallel parking, backing and turns. Afterwards, the cones can become an addition
to your safety equipment.
Get a person to work with you, having them help guide you from both the passenger seat and a position
outside using hand signals.
The other vehicle characteristic that needs to be taken into consideration immediately is height. Read all
“clearance” signs when approaching parking garages, drive-through windows and even underpasses on older
highways. Also be careful of overhanging trees. Always use caution and when in doubt get out and look. Don’t
forget any added equipment that may protrude higher than the standard factory height.
Passing and pulling out into traffic in your RV is going to be different than when driving your everyday vehicle.
Generally speaking, it will take more time, thus, more distance to pass when it necessitates driving in an
on-coming lane of traffic. It will take more time to clear an intersection from a dead stop. Allow more distance
between cars.
Because your RV is longer and wider than your other vehicles, a bit more attention must be paid to cornering.
Practicing in a stadium lot is helpful, as indicated earlier.
The main idea is to pull several feet past the apex of the corner before initiating the turn. This is to give extra
room for the rear outside wheels to clear the inside curb. Instead of cutting corners, learn to use the entire
roadway by bringing the vehicle closer to the center stripe of the street or road you are entering. However, do
not swing “out” or over the center line of the road you are turning off. Because of the extra room your vehicle
needs to clear the inside curb, you must be fully aware of the traffic that you are turning into (what becomes the
oncoming traffic after you turn). Note how close the vehicles are to the center line and especially if they are
over the center line and into your lane.
HILLS, DALES AND MAKING THE GRADE
Driving in hilly or mountainous terrain isn’t any more difficult than driving on the flat plains of Kansas if the
driver uses the vehicle properly. The main culprit of hilly or mountainous driving problems is overheating.
Preventing problems is as simple as following your chassis manufacturer’s driving instructions for this type of
terrain. The main thing to remember is to reduce speed and drive in the appropriate gear, usually something
other than drive.
Mandalay 6-7