FLEETWOOD RV CLASS A GAS 2020 OWNER’S MANUAL
19
• 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 center of the intersection . If two
lanes are available, use the right hand lane . Vehicles
or objects are more easily seen by the driver on the
left hand side .
Ascending a Grade:
When approaching a grade, assess the grade and length
before ascending . Prepare early for a long ascent . To
avoid overheating, downshift to a lower gear and use
less throttle where engine temperature remains stable .
Power output from the engine depends on the following
circumstances:
• RPM - Every engine has a RPM range that produces
the most efficient torque curve .
• Fuel/Air Mixture - There is a limit to how much air
is drawn into the combustion chamber . Conversely
there is a limit to how much fuel can be injected to
produce the most efficient state of combustion .
The drivetrain is more efficient when temperatures
remain stable during long grades .
Descending a Grade:
Prepare to descend a
grade at the crest of the
hill . Observe any signs
indicating grade angle
and duration . The sign
may suggest maximum
downhill speed according
to
Gross
Combined
Weight (the combined
weight of the motorhome and a trailer/tow car) . At
the crest of the hill, manually shift the transmission
into a lower gear . Do not allow the motorhome to gain
momentum before slowing down .
Use moderately heavy pressure on the brake pedal to
reduce speed and manually downshift to maintain a
safe, slow speed . Pumping and riding the brake pedalis
not recommended when descending a grade . Brakes
can overheat, resulting in loss of effectiveness .
050250d
CAUTION WIDE
RIGHT TURNS
CHECK MIRROR
FOR OBSTACLES
IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP:
Turn on the hazard lights if road speed decreases
to the point where the motorhome is moving
significantly under the posted speed . Use pullouts
if traffic is accumulating . Once in a pullout, if there
is sufficient clearance for safety, idle the engine
for a while to allow the exhaust to cool . While
these are cooling, the transmission will also cool .
Continually monitor the gauges while waiting .
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Summary of Contents for Class A Gas 2020
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