Jayco Alante 2023 Vehicle Operation User Manual
Vehicle Operation
Your motor home will travel safely and comfortably at highway speed limits. However, it will take longer than a passenger automobile to reach that speed. Allow more time to go around the vehicle you are passing. Avoid situations that might require sudden momentum changes as the length of the motor home affects your ability to quickly cut back into traffic. Swerves and sharp turns, especially at high speeds, could result in loss of control of the motor home.
The motor home has a longer turning radius. When turning, check the road clearance and be aware of others, especially if towing a vehicle behind your motor home.
Adverse weather conditions and extremes in terrain may affect the performance and handling of your vehicle. Do not operate the cruise control on icy or extremely wet roads, gravel roads, winding roads, heavy traffic, or any other traffic situation where a constant speed cannot be maintained. Use care when accelerating or decelerating on a slippery surface. Abrupt speed changes can cause skidding and loss of control.
NOTE:
CALIFORNIA TIRE CHAIN NOTICE:
YOUR MOTOR HOME MAY NOT BE OPERATED WITH TIRE CHAINS
Jayco 2023 Top Accessories
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Braking and Stopping
Even though your motor home is equipped with brakes designed for its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) we suggest you practice stopping away from traffic until you become accustomed to your motor home’s stopping distance. Your motor home is equipped with a third brake light that activates when the brakes are engaged. When descending a long hill, shift the transmission into a lower gear and engage the auxiliary engine braking. If your motor home is equipped with an auxiliary engine brake, engagement is activated by a switch on the driver’s console. See the chassis owner’s manual for additional information. The transmission and engine will help in controlling downhill speed and can lengthen brake life. The distance required to stop the motor home is greater than an automobiles.
Driving through water deep enough to wet the brakes may affect stopping distance or cause the vehicle to pull to one side. Check the motor home’s brake operation in a safe area to be sure they have not been affected. Never operate any vehicle if a difference in braking efficiency is noticeable.
Warning
Your motor home chassis braking system is rated for operation at GVWR not GCWR.
Parking Brake
The parking brake should be engaged when the motor home is parked. Never drive your motor home with the parking brake engaged as this will reduce braking effectiveness and cause excessive driveline wear. Refer to your Chassis guide for more information on the parking brake.
Towing Behind Your Motor Home
Caution
Do not install a frame equalizing type hitch on your motor home. Towing will affect vehicle handling, durability, and fuel economy. Exceeding any of the listed weight ratings will result in unacceptable overall vehicle performance. Your safety and satisfaction require the proper use of the correct equipment.
For maximum pulling load and vertical tongue weight, refer to the label located on the rear hitch. A hitch bar of appropriate strength and steel should be selected to meet the capacities of the towing receptor.
Always use safety chains between the motor home and the towed trailer or vehicle. Cross the chains under the tongue and allow for slack when turning corners. Connect the safety chains to the vehicle frame or hook retainers. Never attach the safety chains to the bumper. Before descending a steep or long grade when towing a trailer or vehicle, reduce speed and shift the motor home into a lower gear to control vehicle speed. Avoid frequent or prolonged brake application, which can cause overheating or brake failure. By definition, the GCWR is “the maximum total weight rating allowed for a vehicle and any attachment, such as a trailer or towed vehicle. To determine the total allowable weight for a towed item, subtract the GVWR from the GCWR.
Towing and Braking Label
Warning
- The total weight of your motor home and any trailer or vehicle towed by it must not exceed the GCWR. Do not assume that you can tow a vehicle that happens to be within the capacity of the hitch. By doing so, you may exceed the total GCWR of the motor home.
- The total weight of your motor home (including cargo, passengers, fluids, etc.) in addition to the vertical (tongue) weight must not exceed the GVWR and/or any GAWR. Once again, do not assume that you can tow a trailer or vehicle that happens to be within the vertical (tongue) weight capacity of the hitch. By doing so, you may exceed the GVWR and/or GAWR of the motor home.
- Your motor home chassis braking system is rated for operation at GVWR, NOT GCWR. Any trailer or vehicle being towed by your motor home must have adequate brakes as required by all state (or province) and local regulations for towing with your motor home, including areas you may be traveling through. Failure to follow the towing guidelines may result in property damage or injury.
In addition, a separate supplemental braking system must be installed if the towed trailer or vehicle meets or exceeds the minimum weight determined by the chassis manufacturer (this minimum weight rating will vary by chassis and chassis manufacturer). Contact your dealer for assistance in determining whether a separate braking system is recommended for your towing and traveling safety. Failure to follow these instructions will create a safety hazard and may result in an accident.
Maintenance
Keep the hitch clean along with your general frame maintenance.
- At the beginning of the season, and monthly or thereafter, clean the inside of the receiver tube with a wire brush and spray with a silicone spray.
- Always remove the utility mount from the receiver when it is not in use. This will help prevent the utility mount from rusting to the tube.
- Periodically check the bolts for tightness. They need to be torqued to the proper setting (refer to your Chassis Guide).
Refer to the chassis manual for detail on hitch specifications and towing guidelines.
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Reference Links
View Full User Guide: Jayco Alante 2023 User Manual
Download Manuals: https://www.jayco.com/manuals
Jayco 2023 Top Accessories
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