15 Driving Your Motorhome
Camera Monitor System
The rear-view monitoring system (Figure 15-1) is provided to aid the driver in backing and parking the motorhome.
A camera mounted on the rear of the vehicle feeds a televised view of the rear of the motorhome to the monitor located in the front near the driver.
If the switch is in the MANUAL mode, the monitor will be ON when the ignition switch is turned ON.
If the switch is in the AUTOMATIC mode, the monitor will display the picture from the rear-mounted camera only when the transmission is in REVERSE gear.
To use this system effectively, refer to the owner’s manual for this system. This manual is in the Owner’s Information Package.
Basic Rear View Camera Operation
- Depress the POWER switch. The picture appears on the monitor. POWER indicator lights up green. To turn off the picture, press it again to release. The monitor moves to standby condition. POWER indicator lights up red.
- Adjust the VOLUME control.
- Adjust the picture contrast and brightness. The DAY/NIGHT selector switch must normally be kept in the DAY (released) position. When you view the picture at night or in a tunnel, etc., depress the switch to make the picture less bright (therefore in the NIGHT position). Thus, the picture will be easy to view even in a dark place.
When you set the gear level to the “R” position with the POWER switch released, the monitor is turned ON, and the picture from the camera connected to the CAMERA “A” connector appears irrespective of the INPUT knob setting.
Windshield Wiper Operation
The controls to operate the windshield wipers are located level on the left side of the steering column. The wipers are not “automatic.” They do not come on simply by water touching the windshield. They must be manually turned on and off using the controls shown above.
DriveTechs column-mounted controls put the driver completely in command. Engine and brake controls on the right column replace distracting touchpad operation, while the left column provides fingertip access to wiper, headlight and signal controls.
Side-Mount Camera
As an enhanced aid to driving, the motorhome features side-mounted cameras (Figure 15-2) on both sides of the motorhome.
These side-mounted cameras are activated whenever the motorhome in transit begins to make a turn. When the LEFT turn indicator is used, the left-side camera is activated and that camera displays on the back-up monitor a rearward oriented view of the driver’s side showing that side of the motorhome and a limited panorama of what is alongside and immediately behind the motorhome as it begins to turn into that direction.
In this manner, the typical “blind spot” of most motorhomes is drastically reduced or eliminated so that the driver can make those turns with great confidence. Similarly, the “right” turn indicator operates in the same manner to show a rearward view of the right side of the motorhome when a right-hand turn is made.
CB Radio System Antenna Connection
As an option, the motorhome might come equipped with an antenna and coaxial cable connection to enable the owner to install a Citizens Band (CB) radio of choice, and operate it conveniently from the motorhome.
The coaxial-cable connection for the radio is found beneath the dashboard on the driver’s side. Accordingly, with an owner-provided CB radio, that radio can be used to communicate with other travelers on the road.
To use your CB system of choice, follow the directions furnished with the CB radio.
| NOTE: Channel 11 is considered an emergency channel and monitoring this channel might give one information about road conditions, accidents, and related matters potentially affecting your travels. |
AM/FM/CD Stereo System
An AM/FM/CD stereo system (Figure 15-3) is included in the motorhome.
This system is powered by the 12-volt DC system of the motorhome and operates like any conventional car-stereo system. The coach is also SIRIUS XM compatible with a subscription.
Dashboard Heating/Cooling Controls
The dash air conditioner/heater (Figure 15-4) is not designed to heat and cool the entire interior of the motorhome. It is intended only to provide heating and cooling for the cab area.
A small amount of air will blow out of the defrost and dash vents regardless of the mode settings.
Roadwatch
ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL ACC adjusts the speed of your vehicle while in cruise control and attempts to maintain a set following interval of 3.6 seconds when there is a vehicle ahead moving at a lower speed. ACC works in conjunction with conventional cruise control to maintain the set cruise speed when the lane ahead is clear and will automatically adjust your RV’s speed when a vehicle is detected ahead.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) WITH ROLL STABILITY SUPPORT (RSS) ESC can assist drivers in reducing the risk of vehicle instability while in a slippery curve or while taking evasive action. It reduces the potential for driftout conditions through select braking. If loss of stability is detected, vehicle speed is reduced through engine control and application of the engine and service brakes.
RSS is an active vehicle safety system that assists drivers in maintaining control by continually monitoring conditions that can lead to a rollover and automatically intervening if a high rollover risk is detected. This system delivers the industry’s highest levels of rollover stability while helping owners realize improved performance and ease of maintenance.
Automatic Leveling System
The Allegro RED is equipped with an LIPPERT computer-controlled leveling system (Figure 15-5).
To operate the automatic hydraulic leveling mode:
- Set park brake. Ignition must be turned off.
- Press the AUTO LEVEL button once. The leveling system active light will flash. During the automatic leveling sequence, after the system has extended the appropriate jacks to level the vehicle and has turned the yellow indicator lights off, the system will stabilize the vehicle.
To retract the jack in automatic hydraulic leveling mode:
| NOTE: When the jacks are deployed with the ignition in the ON position, the warning buzzer will sound until the jacks have retracted to the STORE position. If desired, the jacks can be stored with the ignition key in the accessory position. This will eliminate the warning buzzer while the jacks are retracting. |
- Press the AUTO STORE button. The store indicator light will flash. The front jacks will retract for five seconds before the rear jacks will begin to retract. As each jack retracts, its red WARNING light will go out. The system will automatically shut down one minute after the four individual red WARNING lights are out. If any one red WARNING light does not go out, the system will continue to store for 50 minutes, then shut down regardless of the WARNING lights condition.
- The vehicle can be moved as soon as the red warning lights are out.
To operate in Manual mode:
- Set park brake and place the ignition in the ACCESSORY position.
- The vehicle may be leveled using the manual EXTEND (UP ARROW) buttons on the right half of the panel. If a yellow LEVEL SENSING light is on, that side, end or corner of the vehicle is low. It is best to level the vehicle side-to-side first, if needed, before front to rear.
- When leveling is completed, turn the ignition switch to the OFF position.
To retract the jack in manual leveling mode:
- Turn ignition to the ON position and push the STORE button.
To manually override the jack system in the event of a power failure:
- Locate the manual valve release on each solenoid valve. The solenoid valves are located on the power unit/valve assembly in an outside compartment.
- Allow clearance for the vehicle to lower.
| IMPORTANT: Only open the valves enough to retract the jacks. |
- Push the manual release valves to a downward position.
- Make sure that all four jacks are now retracted.
- Close the valves by extending the manual valve releases to an extended position.
For a more complete review of the leveling system, find the HWH leveling and electronic ride height operation guide inside your Owner’s Information Packet.