REV Midwest Automotive Design American Coach Patriot 2022, Owner'S Manual

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A M E R I C A N C O A C H P A T R I O T O W N E R ’ S M A N U A L
A M E R I C A N C O A C H // P A T R I O T S E C T I O N 4 // 2 3
Failure to maintain adequate tongue weight will cause vehicle handling
issues (usually indicated by excessive sway, or a sagging tow vehicle
rear end).
Practice towing with your American Coach Patriot in a large open parking
lot before getting on the road� It may take a while to become accustomed
to the total length of the combined Sprinter and trailer combination� The
turning radius will be significantly larger than usual, and great care will be
needed when making turns in confined areas and traffic. Make certain
your mirrors provide clear visibility of the trailer� If necessary, you may
need to install optional towing mirrors for this purpose which may be
purchased and installed by an authorized Mercedes-Benz or American
Coach dealership� Many states require towing mirrors by law�
Backing requires a bit of preparation, training, and self-confidence. Never
attempt to back your Sprinter / trailer combination without assistance�
It is best to have a companion at both the front and rear of the Sprinter
/ Trailer combination to aid the driver in backing up� They can provide
steering guidance and look out for possible obstructions� Make certain
any people assisting you are clearly visible to the driver at all times�
The addition of a trailer to your Sprinter will also increase the effect of
cross winds as you travel down the highway� Keep this in mind and
slow down in high winds as necessary to maintain solid control of the
Sprinter / trailer combination at all times� Similarly, stopping distances
are increased, so driving on ice and snow, or on loose gravel or dirt
roads will make stopping the vehicle more challenging�
When towing, extend the distance between your Sprinter and the
vehicle ahead to maintain plenty of stopping space due to the added
load of the trailer� Avoid a sudden stop or severe braking under any
conditions to prevent “
jack-knifing” the Sprinter / trailer combination
(a situation where the rear end of the trailer suddenly swings forward,
pushing the tow vehicles rear bumper in the opposite direction).
A properly set electronic brake controller will help avoid this situation
(only applicable to trailers with electric brakes).
Avoid extreme acceleration as it is hard on both the towing vehicle
and the trailer� Anticipate longer times required to reach highway
speeds and to decelerate� Use the full length of on and off ramps to
your full advantage� Once you are on the highway select a lane and
stay in it� Frequent lane changing increases fatigue on the driver and
increases the possibility of mishaps while towing� When approaching
merging traffic, it is best to move to the center or left lane to allow
traffic entering the highway to do so unimpeded. Remember, other
drivers who have no towing experience may be unaware of how much
additional distance is required for you to safely stop your vehicle�
WARNING
Towing a trailer requires additional acceleration and stopping
distances. Sudden maneuvers while towing, improper
trailer loading and weight distribution, or exceeding the tow
vehicle’s rated towing capacity can result in damage to the
tow vehicle’s drivetrain, brakes, and suspension, and the
sudden loss of control, a crash, and severe injury or death
of persons if not avoided.
■ OFF-ROAD DRIVING PRECAUTIONS
Leaving the paved highway to operate your Sprinter Van on gravel,
sand, grass, and other unimproved surfaces requires special attention�
This is particularly true if your coach is not equipped with the optional
4 X 4
(four wheel) drive, which transmits power to both the front and
rear axles of the vehicle� Keep in mind that damage associated with
operating your luxury Class B coach off-road is not covered under its
warranty. Refer to SECTION 2 (WARRANTY).
Before driving in off-road conditions, take note of the road clearance of
your coach, which varies depending on which model you have� Refer to
SECTION 15 (SCHEMATICS) of this manual to determine the minimum
ground clearances for your particular coach� This is very important to
avoid damaging your vehicle by bottoming out or coming into contact
with rocks, tree stumps, ruts or other uneven surfaces that could lead
to a puncture of your holding tanks, damage to exhaust components,
generator, plumbing, running boards, or front valance on your coach�
Overhead clearance is equally important� Take special care when
driving along trails (especially in heavily wooded areas). Overhead
obstacles such as tree limbs, power lines, or rocky outcroppings
could easily damage the roof or sides of your coach� When operating
in such difficult conditions it is best to have a passenger assist the
driver in maintaining a careful watch over potential obstacles� In tight
maneuvering situations, an observer should help from outside of
the vehicle� That person must be visible to the driver at all times, yet
remain safely clear of the vehicle as it negotiates any obstacle(s).
In any situation where your vehicle becomes stuck as a result of
bottoming out or encountering an overhead obstacle, the operator
should stop immediately� Place the vehicle in park and apply the
warning