12 Exterior Features

Exterior Sides

The side of your Wayfarer motorhome are constructed of gel coated fiberglass (Figure 96.1).

To add to this feature, the end caps are also gel coated fiberglass. To clean these fiberglass surfaces, use only warm water and a mild soap or cleanser and gently wash with soft cloths. Use of stiff bristle brushes or other harsh abrasives may cause scratches in the fiberglass surfaces.

NOTE: Tiffin Motorhomes is NOT responsible for the weathering and/or oxidation of gel coated surfaces.

Spacious storage compartments are located on the exterior of your Wayfarer motorhome (Figure 96.2 and 96.3). These external compartments provide ample additional space for your belongings while you are traveling.

When stowing materials in these storage compartments, try to balance the resultant weight load from front to rear and side to side.

This will keep the center of gravity of the motorhome essentially unchanged and should not adversely affect the handling characteristics of the motorhome when it is in motion.

CAUTION: Some exterior compartments will also house components necessary to the function of the motorhome. Use caution when storing items in these compartments to avoid damaging the components when the motorhome is in motion.

 

Security Lights

On your Wayfarer motorhome, exterior security lights are a standard feature (Figure 97.1).

A light is installed on the passenger side of the coach to help light that side of the Wayfarer for added protection.

The light can serve as a porch light when the motorhome is parked and the awning is deployed so that various activities (e.g., sitting outside,grilling or entertaining) at dusk or later can be enjoyed by the motorhome owners and their guests.

Electric Steps

Your Wayfarer motorhome is equipped with electric door steps (Figure 98.1 and 98.2). The switch to operate these steps is located in the rear entry door stairwell (Figure 98.3). When the power switch for the steps is in the "ON" position, simply open the door and the steps will automatically extend. When the door is closed, the steps will retract. Detailed operation for the electrical, double entrance door steps is as follows:

• Turn the step power switch to the "ON" position.

• Close the door. The steps should retract and lock in the up position.

• Open the door. The steps should extend and lock into the down position.

• Turn the power switch to the "OFF" position while the power steps are extended. The steps should remain in an extended position when the door is closed. If the power switch is turned to the "OFF" position while the power steps are retracted, the steps will stay in the retracted position.

• With the step extended, turn the power step switch to the "OFF" position and close the entrance door. Turn the motorhome ignition switch to "ON". The ignition override system will go into effect and the step will automatically retract.

• With the power step switch in the "ON" position, turn the vehicle ignition switch to the "OFF" position and open the rear entry door. The power steps will extend and lock in the down position.

• This feature is only operative the first time that the rear entry door is opened after vehicle ignition is turned "OFF". When the ignition switch is turned "ON", the steps will always activate with the door movement, regardless of the position of the power step switch.

CAUTION: DO NOT travel with the power steps in the extended position. If the motorhome is driven with the steps in the extended position, there is a very good possibility of causing major damage to both the steps and the motorhome.

NOTICE: If the side entry door is opened and closed without allowing for the side entry steps to extend fully and lock in the "DOWN" position, the step will retract and lock in the "UP" position. When the side entry door is re-opened the step "WILL NOT" extend. The power switch for the side entry steps must be turned back to the "ON" position for the steps to extend and lock into place.

CAUTION: Always be sure to "LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP!" When opening the side entry door from the inside, be sure that the steps have fully deployed and are locked in the extended position. Failure to do so could lead to a fall and possible personal injury.

Tongue Weight

Your motorhomes towing tongue weight should never exceed 10% of the towing hitch capacity.

Your Wayfarers maximum towing capacity is 5,000 lbs. which means your maximum towing weight is 500 lbs.

To calculate your tongue weight, utilize the components shown in (Figure 99.1).

For every foot the scale is away from the trailer tongue, multiply that number against the weight shown on the scale (i.e., Weight on scale is 180 pounds and scale is 3 feet from tongue. 160x3 = 480 lbs.). Overall weight can never exceed 500 lbs.

You can also get your tongue weight measured at any certified weight scale.

 

Mirrors

Your Wayfarer motorhome is equipped with remote controlled exterior rear view mirrors (Figure (100.1). Always adjust the mirrors for maximum visibility before driving the motorhome.

If another driver is going to operate the motorhome, be sure the mirrors are readjusted to accommodate their needs.

  

The mirrors are adjusted by using the multidirectional switch (Figure 100-2) located on the dashboard.  Select the mirrior to be adjusted by pointing the arrow in the direction of that mirror.

Move the control in the direction of movement desired to obtain the best view for that mirror. The adjustment control moves the top half of both mirrors. The bottom half of each mirror is convex and is adjusted manually.

Detailed instructions for these manual adjustments can be found in the Sprinters manufacturers literature available in the Owners Information Package. However, this brief overview of the mirror adjustment can begin the process.

The top portion of the mirror should be horizontally adjusted so that you can see your own motorhome in the one inch surface closest to the motorhome. The remaining portion of the mirror now permits you to see the road behind you. The mirror should be adjusted vertically so that you can see the rear bumper on the bottom plane portion of the mirror. The convex mirrors should be adjusted horizontally so that you can see your own motorhome in 1/3 of the mirror.

The convex mirrors should then be adjusted vertically to allwo you to see any other vehicles alongside of your motorhome.

Further information can be found in the Mercedes Benz Owners Manual.