Fleetwood 1997 American Tradition User manual

MER leN
1997
owner's manual

AM E RIC AN
1997

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AMERicAN TRAdirioN - CopYRiq/1T 1996, FlEETWood ENTERPRisES, INC. All Riq/ITS RESERVEd.

LIMITED ONE ... YEAR/THREE'" YEAR WARRANTY
For Motor Homes Manufactured by subsidiaries of Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc.,
sold in the United States and Canada
Your new motor home, including the structure, plumbing, heating and
electrical systems, and
all appliances and equipment installed by the
manufacturer, is warranted under normal use to be free from manufac-
turing defects in material or workmanship.
The warranty extends
to the first retail purchaser and his transferee(s)
and begins
on the date of original retail delivery or the date the motor
home is first placed into service as a rental, commercial or demonstra-
tor unit (which ever occurs first). The warranty extends for the follow-
ing periods:
I. For all defects (other than structural) the warranty extends for a
period of one year from such date or until the unit has received
15,000 total miles of use as determined by the mileage shown on
the odometer (which ever occurs first).
2. For structural defects, three years; structural defects are limited to
the following: roof structure, sub-floor structure, exterior walls,
interior walls and ceilings.
Written notice
of defects must be given to the selling dealer or manu-
facturer not later than ten (10) days after the expiration
of the warranty
period.
The owner is responsible for normal maintenance as described in the
Owner's Manual; however, minor adjustments (such as adjustments to
the interior or exterior doors, LP regulator pressure, cabinet latches, TV
antenna control, etc.) will be performed by the dealer during the first 90
days of warranty coverage. Thereafter, such adjustments are the
responsibility
of the owner as normal maintenance unless required as a
direct result of repair or replacement
of a defective part under this
warranty.
If a problem occurs which the owner believes is covered by this war-
ranty, the owner shall contact the selling dealer, or other authorized
dealer, giving him sufficient information
to resolve the matter. The
owner shall deliver the motor home
to the dealer or manufacturing plant
location for warranty service.
COVERAGE
PROVIDED
OWNER'S
OBLIGATIONS
AMERicAN TRAdiTiON - CopYRiqHT 1996, FlEETWood ENTERPRiSES, INC. All RiqHTS RESERVEd.

WARRANTY
By agreement with the manufacturer, the dealer is obligated to maintain
the motor home prior to retail sale, to perform a detailed pre delivery
inspection and to repair or replace any parts necessary to correct
defects in material or workmanship.
If the dealer is unable or unwilling to resolve a problem which the
owner is convinced is covered by the warranty. he should contact the
manufacturing plant at the address listed on the next page and provide
the manufacturer with a description in writing
of the problem and
attempts made to resolve it.
Upon receipt of notice of a claim, where the dealer was unable or
unwilling to resolve the problem, the manufacturing plant will repair or
replace any parts necessary to correct defects in material or workr:nan-
ship or will take other appropriate action as may be required.
If the representatives of the manufacturing plant are unable to resolve
the problem and the owner is convinced that it is covered by this war-
ranty, the owner should call the toll-free number listed on the next page
to describe the problem and the attempts made to resolve it.
DEALER'S
OBLIGATIONS
WHEN THE
DEALER DOES
NOT RESOLVE
THE PROBLEM
MANUFACTURING
PLANT
OBLIGATIONS
WHEN THE
MANUFACTURING
PLANT
DOES NOT
RESOLVE THE
PROBLEM
AMERicAN TRAdiriON - CopyniqlIT 1996, FlEETlVood ENTERpnisES, INC. All niqHTs nESERVEd.

This warranty does not cover:
1. The automotive system (including the chassis and drive train),
tires
and batteries, which arc covered by the separate warranties
of the respective manufacturers of these components.
2. Defects caused by or related to:
a.
Abuse, misuse, negligence, or accident;
b. Failure to comply with instl11ctions contained in the Owner's
Manual;
c. Alteration or modification of the motor home;
d. Environmental conditions (salt, hail, chemicals in the atmo-
sphere, etc.)
3.
Normal deterioration due to wear or exposure, slIch as fading of
fabrics or drapes, carpet wear, etc.
4.
Normal maintenance and service items, such as light bulbs,
fuses, wiper blades, lubricants, etc.
5. Motor homes on which the odometer reading has been altered.
6.
Transportation to and from dealer 01' manufacturing plant
location, loss of time, inconvenience, commercial loss, loss of
use, towing charges, bus fares, vehicle rental, incidental charges
such as telephone call or hotel bills, or other incidental or
consequential damages.
Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental
or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion
may not apply to you.
This warranty gives yon specific legal rights, and you may also have
other rights which vary from state to state.
The
mannfacturer is not responsible for any undertaking, represen-
tation or warranty made by any dealer or other person beyond
those expressly set forth in this warranty.
Brand Name:
Model:
Serial No.:
___ _
Fleetwood's American Coach Division
Parts & Service
1420 West Patterson Street
Decatur, IN 46773
Service [phone]
Parts [phone]
Fax [phone]
WARRANTY
WHAT Is NOT
COVERED By
THE EXPRESS
WARRANTY
CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS:
Motor Home Division
Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc.
P.O. Box 7638
Riverside,
CA 92513-7638
[phone]
AMERicAN TRAdiTioN - CopYRiql1T 1996, FIEEnvood ENTEllpRim, INC. All RiqhTs RESERVEd.

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(
AMERicAN TRAdiTioN - CopYRiqlIT 1996, FIEEnvood ENTERPRisES, INC. All RiqlITS RESERVEd.

The particle board, hardwood plywood, or paneling used in your
motor home are made with urea-fOlmaldehyde. The companies that
supply us with these materials have asked that we tell you about
urea-formaldehyde with the statements on this page.
IMPORTANT
NOTICES
WARNING
This product is manufac-
tured with urea-formalde-
hyde resin. Formaldehyde
vapor may in some people
cause headaches, eye, nose
and throat irritation, and ag-
gravation of allergies and
respiratory problems, such
as asthma. Proper ventila-
tion should reduce the
risk
of such problems.
Champion International
Corporation
WARNING
This motor home contains
components containing or
manufactured with 1,1,1
Trichloroethane, a sub-
stance that may be harmful
to the public health and en-
vironment by destroying
ozone in the upper atmo-
sphere.
AI
WARNING
This product is manufac-
tured with a urea-formalde-
hyde resin and will release
small quantities
of formal-
dehyde. Formaldehyde lev-
els in the indoor air can
cause
temporary eye and
respiratory irritation, and
may aggravate respiratory
conditions or allergies.
Ventilation will reduce in-
door formaldehyde levels.
Weyerhauser Corporation
Ar
WARNING
Ventilation is important for making the interior
of your motor home comfortable. Please read
the section about ventilation and prolonged
occupancy in the Living
With Your Motor
Home chapter in this Owner's Manual.
Irritant:Thisproductcontains
a
urea-formaldehyde resin
and may release formalde-
hyde vapors in low concen-
trations. Formaldehyde can
be irritating
to the eyes and
upper respiratory system
of
especially susceptible per-
sons such as those with al-
lergies or respiratory ail-
ments. Use with adequate
ventilation. If symptoms de-
velop, consult your physi-
cian.
Georgia-Pacific Corporation
AMERicAN TRAdirioN - CopYRiGHT 1996, FLEETWood ENTERPRisES, INC. All RiqHTS RESERVEd.

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AMEllicAN TRAdiTioN - CopYRiqHT 1996, FIEffivood ENTERPRisES, INC. AlllliqHTS RESERVEd.

We are required to tell you consumer information provided by
the National
Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) and the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The informa-
tion and warnings found on these pages may also be found in
other chapters
of this Owner's Manual. Please see the LP Gas
System and Appliances chapters for other safety and operat-
ing information.
AI
WARNING
SAFETY REGULATIONS
REGARDING
lP GAS SYSTEMS AND
lP GAS ApPLIANCES
Do not bring or store LP gas containers, gasoline or other flammable liq-
uids inside the vehicle because a fire or explosion may result.
A warning label has been located near the LP gas container. This label
reads: DO NOT FILL CONTAINER(S) TO MORE THAN aD-PERCENT OF
CAPACITY.
Overfilling the LP gas container can result in uncontrolled gas flowwhich
can cause fire
or explosion. A properly filled container will contain ap-
proximately ao- percent
of its volume as liquid LP gas.
The following label has been placed in the vehicle near the range:
IFYOU SMELL GAS:
1. Extinguish any open flames,
pilot lights, and all smoking materials.
2. Do not touch electrical switches.
3. Shut off the gas supply at the tank valve(s) or gas supply connection.
4. Open doors and other ventilation openings.
5. Leave the area until the odor clears.
6. Have the gas system checked and leakage source corrected before us-
ing again.
LP gas regulators must always be installed with the diaphragm vent fac-
ing downward. Regulators that are not in compartments have been
equipped with a protectivecover. Make surethatregulatorvent faces down-
ward and the cover is kept in place to minimizevent blockage which could
result in excessive gas pressure causing fire
or explosion.
AMERiCAN TRAdiTiON - CopYRiq/u 1996, FlEETwood ENTERPRisES, INC. All Riq/us RESERVEd.

.1
WARNING
It is not safe to use cooking appliances
for comfort heating. Cooking appli-
ances need fresh airfor safe operation.
Before operation:
1. Open overhead vent or
turn on ex-
haust fan, and
2. Open window.
This warning label has been located in
the cooking area to remind you to pro-
videan adequate supply of fresh air for
combustion. Unlike homes,the amount
of oxygen supply is limited due to the
size
of the recreational vehicle, and
proper ventilation when using the
cooking appliance(s) will avoid dan-
gers of asphyxiation. It is especiallyim-
portantthat cooking appliances notbe
used for comfort heating as the dan-
ger of asphyxiation is greaterwhen the
appliance
is used for long periods of
time.
-_ .... -------
SAFETY REGULATIONS
REGARDING
lP GAS SYSTEMS AND
lP GAS ApPLIANCES
WARNING
Portable fuel-burning equip-
ment, including wood and
charcoal grills and stoves,
shall
not be used inside this
recreational vehicle.The use
of this equipment inside the
recreational vehicle may
cause fires or asphyxiation.
WARNING
LP gas containers shall not
be placed or stored inside
thevehicle. LP gas contain-
ers are equippedwith safety
devices which relieve ex-
cessive pressure by dis-
charging gas to the atmo-
sphere.
AMERiCAN TRAdirioN - CopYRiq/1T 1996, FIEETlVood ENTERPRisES, INC. All RiqHTs RESERVEd.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
WARRANT)'
SPEciAl NOTicES ANd WARNiNGS
01 INTROduCTioN ............................. 01 ~ 1
WARRANTiES ................................................................... 01 ,2
WARRANTY SERvicE ................................................... ....... 01,5
OWNER'S INfoRMATioN PACkAGE .......................................... 01 ,6
REPORTiNG SAfETY DEfECTS ................................................ 01 ,6
CHAssis ANd VEHiclE IdENTificATioN ..................................... 01,7
02 DRivER'S CONTROls ....................... 02~ 1
O~ ON nlE ROAd ............................. O~~ 1
MOTOR HOME LOAdiNG .................................................... O~, 1
RESpoNsibiliTY fOR PROPER LOAdiNq ................................. 0 ~, 1
SOME DEfiNirioNS FiRST .................................................0 ~, 1
CARRyiNq CAPAciTY TAq ................................................m, ~
TowiNq A VEHiclE OR TRAilER .......................................... O~A
CARRyiNq CAPAciTY ANd LOAd DiSTRibUTioN ....................... m,5
How TO WEiqH YOUR LOAdEd MOTOR HOME
WirHOUT A TRAilER OR OTHER TowEd LOAd ........................ 0~,6
How TO WEiqH YOUR LOAdEd MOTOR HOME
WiTH A TRAilER OR OTHER TOIVEd LOAd ............................. 0~,8
LOAdiNq Tips ........................................................... O~, 10
TiRES ......................................................................... O~, 11
TiRE INfiATiON ...........................................................0 ~, 11
TiRE REpiACEMENT ...................................................... 0 ~, 12
If You GET A FiAT TiRE ................................................ O~, 12
CHANqiNq A FiAT TiRE .................................................0 ~, 1 ~
AMERicAN TRAdirioN - CopYRiqHT 1996, FlEETWood ENTERPRisES, INc. All RiqHTs RESERVEd. 00, 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SEATS ANd SEAT BElTS ..................................................... O~, 14
COMbiNATioN LAp ANd SHouldER BEIrS ........................... O~, 15
SAfETY BElT MAiNTENANCE ............................................0 ~, 15
SAfEry RESTRAiNTS fOR CHildREN .................................... O~, 15
SAfEry BElrs fOR CHildREN ...........................................0 ~, 16
SAfETY SEATS fOR CHildREN .......................................... O~, 16
DRiviNG ANd VEHiclE CONTROl ......................................... O~, 17
ENGiNE ANd TRANSMissioN ............................................... O~, 17
ENGiNE OpERATioN ........................................................ 0 ~, 17
TRANSMissioN OPERATioN ................................................ O~, 19
STARTiNq THE VEHiclE ..................................................m,19
DiqiTAI DispiAY ......................................................... O~, 19
DiAqNoSTic COdES ..................................................... O~,22·
AiR BRAkEs ................................................................. O~,22
SYSTEM COMPONENTS .................................................. O~,2~
PARkiNq BRAkE ......................................................... O~,24
UsiNq AiR BRAkES ..................................................... O~,25
SroppiNq DisTANCE .................................................... O~,2 5
BRAkiNq ON DOWNqRAdES ............................................0 ~,2 5
AiR SUSPENSioN SYSTEM ................................................. O~,26
MANEUVERiNG iN TRAffic ................................................. m,27
USiNq THE ENqiNE ro SIOIV THE MOroR HOME ................... O~,28
PAC BRAkE RETARdER (EXHAUST BRAkE) ............................. O~,29
REAR ViEW VidEO MONiTOR SYSTEM ................................... o~,m
Body UNdERCOATiNG ..................................................... O~,~o
FuEl ANd FUEl SYSTEMS ................................................... o~,~ 1
FUEl FiIl ................................................................. O~,~1
FUEl RECOMMENdATioNS ...............................................0 ~,~ 1
ENGiNE FAN ................................................................ O~,~2
EXHAUST SYSTEM HEAT .................................................... O~,~2
ENGiNE TEMPERATURE GAUGES ........................................... o~,n
AMERicAN TRAdiTioN - CopYRiq/iT 1996, flEETwood ENTERPRisES, INC. All Riq/ITS RESERVEd.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
CARboN MONOxidE SAfETY PRECAUTioNS ............................. o~,n
CARboN MONOxidE DETECTOR ....................................... o~, ~4
ATTAC~iNG ACCESSORiES TO YOUR MOTOR HOME ..................... 0~,~4
EMERGENCY TowiNG ....................................................... o~,~ ~
04 liviNG WiTh YOUR MOTOR HOME ...... 04 ... 1
SEMi,AuTOMATic LEVEliNG SysTEM ........................................ 04,1
LEVEliNq PROCEduRE .................................................... 04,2
EMERGENCY RETRACTiNG PROCEduRE ..................................... 04-4
POWER ENTRY STEPS ........................................................ 04,~
PNEUMATic STEPWElI COVER (FRONT ENTRY ModEls) ................. 04,~
ENTRy AssisT HANdlE ....................................................... 04,6
ENTRy DOORS ANd SCREENS ............................................... 04,6
DUAl PANE WiNdows ....................................................... 04,6
EMERqENCY Exir WiNdow .............................................. 04,7
DRivER ANd PASSENGER SUN ViSORS ..................................... 04,7
MiNi,BliNds .................................................................. 04,7
DAy/NiG~T S~AdES ......................................................... 04,7
STORAGE ....................................................................... 04,8
EXTERioR COMpARTMENTS ............................................... 04,8
INTERioR STORAqE ........................................................ 04,8
INTERioR ANd FURNis~iNGS ................................................. 04,9
DiNETTE CONVERSioN .................................................... 04,9
SoFAILoUNqE CONVERSioN ............................................. 04,9
DooRs/PRivACY DividERs .............................................04,10
INTERioR LiqlfTiNq ......•..••••••.••.••••••...•....•....•.•••••••••••••.04,10
OVERHEAd VENTS ....................................................... 04,10
FoldiNq CHAiRs ........................................................04,1 1
MONiTOR PANEL ...........................................................04,1 1
EffEcTs of LONG,TERM OccupANCy .................................... 04,12
VENTilATioN ANd CONTROlliNq CONdENSATioN .................... 04, 1 ~
AMEnicAN TRAdiTiON - CopyniqllT T996, FlEETWood ENTERpnisEs, INC. All niqllTs nESERVEd.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
FiRE SAfETY ................................................................. 04,14
FiRE SAfETY PRECAUTioNS ............................................. 04, 1 ~
SMokE DETECTOR ..........................................................04,1 6
SlidE,OUT ROOMS .........................................................04,1 6
05 PluMbiNG SYSTEMS .......................05 .... 1
FRESH WATER SYSTEM ....................................................... O~, 1
EXTERNAL FRESH WATER Hook,Up .................................... O~, 1
HlliNq THE ON,BoARd WATER TANk .................................. O~,~
DRAiNiNq THE FRESH WATER TANk ..................................... O~,~
WATER PUMP .............................................................. 0~,4
WATER HirER .............................................................. 0~,4
Low POiNT DRAiNS ...................................................... 0~,4
T RoublESHOOTiNq THE FRESH WATER SySTEM .........................0 ~,~
LEAks ....................................................................... O~,~
SANiriziNq THE FRESH WATER SYSTEM ................................. 0~,6
EXTERioR SHOWER ........................................................0 ~ ,8
DRiNkiNq WATER HirER SYSTEM ....................................... 0~,9
WASTE WATER SYSTEM ....................................................... 0~,9
ToilET ....................................................................... 0~,9
DRAiNiNq THE HoldiNq TANks ....................................... O~, 10
HoldiNq TANk CARE ...................................................0 ~, 12
06 ElECTRicAl SySTEMS ....................... 06 .... 1
CHAssis 12Noh ElECTRicAl SySTEM .....................................06,1
CHAssis Bulbs ANd FUSES ..............................................06,1
FlEETWood 12Noh HOUSE SYSTEM ..................................... 06,2
HOUSE FUSES ANd CiRCUir BREAkERS ................................. 06,2
BATTERiES ..................................................................... 06,~
BATTERY DiscONNECT .................................................... 06, ~
BATTERY INSPECTioN ANd CARE ........................................ 06,~
BATTERY CHARqiNq ....................................................... 06,~
SEIECTiNq A REpLACEMENT BATTERy .................................... 06, ~
00,4
AMERiCAN TllAdirioN - CopYRiqHT 1996, FLEETWood ENTERPRisES, INC. All RiqHTS RESERVEd.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
SOlAR PANEL ................................................................. 06,6
AuxiliARY START SySTEM .................................................... 06,6
1 20,Vo1T SySTEM ........................................................... 06,7
POWER CORd Hook,Up ••••••••••••••.•••.•.•••.••..•.••.••.•.•••..•••. 06,7
POWER CONVERTER ...................................................... 06,8
GENERATOR ................................................................ 06,8
GENERATOR FUEL Supply •••••••••.•••••••..••••.••..•..••.•....•••.•••.. 06,9
GENERATOR OpERATiON ••••••••••••••••••..••••.••.••..•.••.•.•••••••••• 06,9
GENERA TOil COOliNq SySTEM •••.••••..••.••••..••.••.••.•..•.•••..••• 06,10
GENERA TOil OPERATiNq SAfETY PRECAUTiONS ...................... 06,10
POWER INVERTER •••••••••••••••••••..••..••.••••..••..•.••.•..•.•••.•••• 06,12
GROUNd FAUlT CiRCUiT INTERRUPTER (GFCI) ..................... 06,12
BASic ElECTRicAl WiRiNG DiAGRAM .....................................06,1 "5
07 LP GAS SYSTEM ........................... 07 ... 1
LP GAS SAfETY PRECAUTioNS .............................................. 07,2
SYSTEM COMpONENTS ....................................................... 07,4
HOSES ••..•••••••••••••.••••..•..••••.•••..••.••••..•••••••.••..•.•••..•••.• 07,4
LP GAS REqUiATOR ••••..•••.••••.•••..••.•••••••••••••••••.••.•••.••...• 07,4
USiNG LP GAS SYSTEM AT Low TEMPERATURES ......................... 07,5
FilliNG LP GAS TANks ...................................................... 07,6
LP GAS SYSTEM LEAk CHECks ............................................ 07,7
LP LEAk DETECTOR .......................................................... 07,8
liGHTiNG LP GAS AppliANCES ............................................. 07,9
08 AppliANCES ................................ 08 ... 1
WATER HEATER ...............................................................08,1
WATER HEATER BYPASS VALvE .......................................... 08,2
REfRiGERATOR ................................................................ 08,2
FURNACE ...................................................................... 08,2
RANGE .....................•....•..•......................•.................... 08, "5
AMERicAN TflAdirioN - CopYRiqHT 1996, FlEETwood ENTERPRisES, INc. All RiqHTS RESERVEd.

iiI/iNC; WiTh YOUR MOTOR HOME
To operate the stepwell cover:
» To extend the cover, move the toggle switch to the right.
» To retract the cover, move the toggle switch to the left.
The stepwell cover can be pnshed in manually to retract. To
retract the cover manually:
» Be sure that the dash air pressure gauge shows no pres-
sure (0 psi).
» The top surface of the cover should drop a couple of inches.
If it doesn't, move it slightly by hand.
» Push the cover into the retracted position.
An entry assist handle is located at the entry door.
The screen door (ifequipped) may be separated from the main
entry door by depressing the catch or releasing the magnet.
Your motor home
is equipped with dual pane windows which
reduce heat and cooling loss. They operate by turning the
lock, and sliding window and/or screen open.
ENTRY AssisT
HANdlE
ENTRY DOORS
ANd SCREENS
DuAl PANE
WiNdows
./1 NOTE
Screens on s/iderwindows
are not removable for
cleaning. They may be
pushedoutoftheirframes
if the window must be used
for emergency
exit. In this
case, the screens will be
destroyed and will prob-
ably have to be replaced.
Screens on torque pane
windows are removable for
cleaning.
AMERiCAN T RAdirioN - CopYRiqhr 1996, flEETwood ENTERPRisES, INC. All RiqhTS RESERVEd.

LiviNCj Whh YOUR MOTOR HOME
To RetractThe Leveling Jacks:
1. Press ON/OFF pad on the control panel. The ON/OFF light,
the level indicator light and the JACKS DOWN lights will
come on.
2. Push the ALL JACKS UP RETRACT BUTTON. The jacks
will start to retract and return to the full retract position
automatically. When all jacks are fully retracted, the JACKS
DOWN light will go out.
3. When the JACKS DOWN lights go out, push the ON/OFF
pad on the control panel to turn the system OFF. Look at all
the jacks and make sure they are all fully retracted.
If the EXCESS SLOPE light comes on, the grade is too steep
for the leveling system. The motor home may have to be
moved.
The JACKS DOWN light on the dash
will come on and a
buzzer will sound
if the transmission selector is moved out of
NEUTRAL or the parking brake is released during leveling
system operation.
--------_ .. _-- .
.II NOTE
The JACKS DOWN
lights indicate that one
or more jacks are not
fully retracted.
.II NOTE
If the touch panel is left
on and inactive for four
minutes it will shut
off
automatically. To reset
the
system push the
ON/OFF button twice.
.II NOTE
Correct oil level is criti-
cal
to proper operation
of DO NOT MOVE
COACH warning sys-
tem. Low oil level will
sound control panel
alarm and flash dash
warning light with jacks
in fully retract position.
Fill
oil to proper level
to eliminate this condi-
tion.
Over filling will
make DO NOT MOVE
COACH warning sys-
tem insensitive and
cause oil to leak
through the filler cap.
AMERicAN TRAdiTioN - CopYRiql1T 1996, FIEffivood ENTERPRiSES, INC. All Riqlm RESERVEd.

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AMERicAN TRAdiTiON - CopYRiq/iT 1996, FlEETWood ENTERPRisES, INC. All Riq/iTS RESERVEd.