4-7
SECTION 4
TRAVELING WITH YOUR MOTOR HOME
Descending A Hill
When going down a long grade, you may need
to manually shift to a lower gear, rather than
keeping your foot on the brake pedal. A lower
gear will allow the engine to provide a degree of
braking action. Holding your foot on the brake
pedal for an extended period may cause brakes to
overheat, causing you to lose control of the vehi-
cle. See your chassis operating guide for more in-
formation.
CAMPSITE SET-UP
Try to pick as level a spot as possible on which
to park your motor home.
LEVELING
Leveling the motor home is very important,
not only for your comfort, but for plumbing and
appliances as well. Some refrigerators are ex-
tremely sensitive to being off level. The ammonia
vapor cooling system used in most RV refriger-
ators can “lock up” and damage the refrigerator if
it is not level. This is both inconvenient and cost-
ly. Also, water and holding tank level indicators
may give false readings because water level is
greater at one side of the tank than the other.
Blocking
A motor home can be leveled using several
methods, including sophisticated electronic-hy-
draulic systems. The most common and inexpen-
sive method, however, is “blocking.”
This is done by stacking various lengths of
planking (blocks) into a ramp-like formation in a
low spot to drive the tire onto, thus leveling the
coach as shown.
Wedge a pair of wheel chocks or similar de-
vices in front and back of a tire that is on the
ground as shown to keep the coach from rolling
forward or backward off the leveling blocks.
To provide extra firmness, you can place
inexpensive mechanical jacks, jack stands or
hydraulic “bottle” jacks under the frame to keep
the coach from moving on the suspension
springs while walking around inside the coach.
These devices are not intended to lift the coach;
only to hold it rigid and steady.
NOTE: We do not recommend lifting any of the
wheels off the ground for leveling. This
could allow the coach to roll off the
jacks, possibly resulting in damage to the
vehicle.
EFFECTS OF PROLONGED
OCCUPANCY
Your motor home was designed primarily for
recreational use and short term occupancy. If
you expect to occupy your coach for an extended
period, be prepared to deal with condensation
and humid conditions that may be encountered.
Observe the engine temperature
gauge more frequently than normal.
If overheating occurs, pull off to the
side of the road and allow the engine
to thoroughly cool before refilling the
radiator and restarting the engine.
CAUTION
Blocks
Wheel
Chocks
Leveling Your Motor Home
