Frankia 2014 User manual

Operating instructions
for
motorhomes
from model year 2014
FRANKIA GP GmbH
Bernecker Strasse 12
D-95509 Marktschorgast
Phone: 09227 / 738-0 e-mail: [e-mail]
Fax: 09227 / 738-33 Internet: www.frankia.de
Edition I

1
Dear FRANKIA customer,
Congratulations on your new FRANKIA motorhome.
It was a good decision to buy a new motorhome. Your new vehicle is a nice FRANKIA
motorhome with great technology, comfort and equipment. Soon you will see how much joy
it is to travel with a FRANKIA. You will be independent and free. Every day you can choose
your destination and stay. We thank you for the confidence that you put in our company.
Your FRANKIA is built on an IVECO, FIAT or MERCEDES chassis. For detailed technical
information you have received the separate operating instructions for the following
appliances: Chassis, refrigerator, hob, heating, current supply panel, radio, TV, telephone,
alarm system, generator, etc.
Before starting your journey we ask you kindly to read these operating instructions. You will
get important information for your motorhome operation so that you can use all technical
advantages of your FRANKIA. Furthermore, you will find helpful information for service and
care of your FRANKIA for its roadworthiness and operational safety. To make reading easier
we have used the following symbols:
Warning
!
Here you will find safety regulations
that will help avoid injury to persons.
Attention
Here you will find safety regulations
that will help avoid material damage.
Info
Here you will find general information and references.
This operating manual is subject to changes due to technical progress or to modified
regulations. This operating manual has been carefully put together. Nevertheless all
information is supplied without liability.
On behalf of all the FRANKIA-staff we wish you nice journeys and restful holidays.
Your FRANKIA-Team

Contents
2
CONTENTS
1. BEGINNING OF THE JOURNEY AND THE JOURNEY
1.1 Payload 4
1.2 Before the journey 5
1.3 Driving 6
1.4 Parking 8
1.5 Spending the night in your motorhome 9
1.6 Sleeping 10
2. AIRING
2.1 Roof lids 17
2.2 Midi-Heki, Heki III 18
2.3 Windows 18
2.4 Body door 19
3. GAS SYSTEM
3.1 General 20
3.2 Gas bottles 20
3.3 Gas hob 22
3.4 Heating - warm water 22
3.5 Gas supply 23
3.6 Refrigerator 26
4. ELECTRIC SYSTEM
4.1 General 29
4.2 Current supply panel 35
4.3 Fuses 12 Volt 37
4.4 Inverter 39
4.5 Generator 40
5. SANITATION FACILITIES
5.1 Central services unit 41
5.2 Fresh water and sewage 43
5.3 Washing room 45
5.4 Thetford toilet 46
5.5 Dejection tank 46
6. DIVERSE
6.1 Electric step 48
6.2 Electric mirrors 49
6.3 Heating 50
6.4 Tables 52
6.5 TV-cupboard 54
6.6 Sun blinds 57
6.7 Electric beds 60

Contents
3
6.8 Rear garages 62
6.9 1 person safety belt system 64
6.10 Back-up aid 64
6.11 Diverse 65
7. SERVICE AND CARE 67
8. WINTER
8.1 Winter holiday 71
8.2 Living in your motorhome in the winter 72
8.3 Immobilization 73
8.4 Antifreeze 74
9. FAULTS
9.1 Electric system 75
9.2 Gas system 77
9.3 Fresh water system 77
9.4 Sewage 78
9.5 Toilet tank 78
9.6 Heating 79
9.7 Electric front bed 80
9.8 Height adjustable bed above seating group 80
9.9 Vehicle 80
10. IMPORTANT TO KNOW 86
11. FRANKIA-DEALERS 87
11.1 Germany
11.2 Europe
11.3 Service partners

Chapter 1 – Beginning of the journey and the journey
4
1. BEGINNING OF THE JOURNEY AND THE
JOURNEY
1.1 The payload
Your motorhome has plenty of loading space. Therefore, please pay attention to the
positioning of your things in your motorhome so that it will have good roadholding.
The FRANKIA double floor offers an additional loading space. Some of this loading space is
accessible from the inside and the outside.
Do not forget to take some tools, reserve lamps, fuses and wheel chocks with you. These
things can be very helpful during your journey.
Loading of the motorhome
Your motorhome has plenty of loading space with outside lockers (depending on the model).
Please note that you can divide your loading space in the double floor with wood partition
walls if you wish.
Please note the following points:
!
!
Heavy objects should be loaded near to the bottom
and directly beside one
of, or better between, the axles. If you have heavy loads try to distribute them
equally to the left and the right side of the motorhome. This will stabilize the
vehicle handling, and loading near the axles will reduce rolling and pitching
of the vehicle body.
Please only put light objects into the upper storage spaces.
Warning
!
!
!
Because of the high centre of gravity a heavy roof load can have an
unfavourable effect on the vehicle handling. Make sure to secure the roof load
with straps.
Wedge tight your luggage so that nothing can move. Loose objects could
damage the motorhome body. Please make sure that nothing can clatter or
slide in the lockers.
!
!
Please do not put heavy objects in lockers that open in or against the driving
direction. The locker doors must be locked during the journey.
Make sure that everything is put away in lockers, drawers and other storage
spaces. In case of a full braking or an accident loose objects can become
dangerous missiles and seriously injure the passengers.
- The maximum authorized weight and the maximum authorized axle weight (weight of
front axle and rear axle) should not be exceeded.
- Please note that the installation of additional special equipment will reduce the standard
payload.

Chapter 1 – Beginning of the journey and the journey
5
- Before using your motorhome for the first time we recommend to weigh your motorhome
with full tanks on a calibrated vehicle scale so that you can establish your personal
payload for your motorhome.
this means maximum authorized weight
./. empty weight of your motorhome
./. weight of all passengers
____________________________________
= payload for your luggage
Info
If you overload your motorhome, it is possible that you may have
to pay a fine and overloading can damage the axles and wheels.
Please note the following points for the loading:
- The inside of your motorhome should be in good order and safely packed so that you will
not encounter a problem if you have to brake suddenly.
- Please pay attention to the following points:
∗sliding doors
∗contents in the cupboards
∗working board on the kitchen sink unit
∗loose objects on tables and shelves
∗travel utensils in the bathroom
∗table / table top
∗TV-cupboard
- Secure loose objects e.g. with towels. This also prevents rattling noise.
1.2 Before the journey
∗Adjust the exterior mirrors
∗Open the blackout roller blinds (for the front windscreen and the driver and passenger
windows) completely and attach them
∗Check if the outside locker doors, especially the rear locker door are really interlocked and
not only ajar. If the large lateral locker doors of the rear garage are not closed correctly, a
warning light on the dashboard will light up.
∗Lock the body door
∗Manually retract the steps, if they do not retract automatically and the warning light on the
dashboard lights up.
∗Put the refrigerator on 12 V position (only works when the engine is running - depending
on the refrigerator model)
∗Remove the 230 V cable from the exterior socket
∗Close all doors and lockers and fasten the refrigerator door
∗Turn off all gas appliances, as gas hob, refrigerator, boiler and close the gas bottles
(except in Germany)

Chapter 1 – Beginning of the journey and the journey
6
∗Lock the TV cupboard
∗Fasten the table / table top
∗Wind up the rear supports
∗Put the soap dispenser and the toothmugs into the bathroom cupboard
Please check all of these things thoroughly before starting your journey so that you will have
a good and safe trip.
1.3 Driving
You need to drive a motorhome as all other cars with caution and appropriate speed. Please
always pay attention to the dimensions of your vehicle.
ALWAYS PAY ATTENTION TO THE DIMENSIONS
(LENGTH - WIDTH - HEIGHT) OF YOUR MOTORHOME!
Warning
!
!! Attention: Look out for service station roofs, rocks, branches, etc.
Further, please pay attention to the special regulations in foreign countries (for example to
carry along the safety vest or the rear warning signal in Italy for a projecting bike rack).
With a loaded motorhome you need to drive differently as you would with an empty
motorhome.
Please note the following points:
∗longer braking distance
∗different handling on gradients and slopes
∗headwinds can have an influence on the speed
∗higher crosswind-sensitivity on bridges, when leaving a tunnel and when overtaking a
truck
∗different vehicle handling in bends due to the height and weight
∗larger vehicle-dimensions: length, width, height (approx. 3 m)
∗small bridges, narrow streets, low passages, low service station roofs, etc.
∗limited visibility when you are reversing
∗correct adjustment of the mirrors

Chapter 1 – Beginning of the journey and the journey
7
Warning
!
!!! Attention:
The driver is responsible for all passengers using the available seat belts.
When driving, the pilot seats in the living room (option) may only be used
in driving direction.
All seats without seat belts are not allowed to be used during driving.
It is forbidden that people are in the alcove during the journey.
It is best to pack all loose things safely in your motorhome because they can
become dangerous missiles in the case of an impact or when making an
emergency stop.
Warning
!
Attention
You have the possibility to turn the driver seats in the direction of the living area.
You may only turn the seats when the motorhome is not driven and in a secured
position.
With motorhomes on IVECO chassis, the driver seats have to be locked in driving
direction before starting your journey. Otherwise, a red warning light will flash on
the dashboard.
Please turn off all gas appliances at the service station.
Attention
- Please adapt your speed when driving on bad roads.
- Compared to a car your vehicle has a long rear overhang (= the distance
between the rear axle and the rear end), which can swing out in narrow
curves and touch the road when the road condition is bad (e.g. deep
bumps). Therefore please drive with caution in narrow curves (for example
when entering or leaving a parking space) or on rough roads.
- Because of its height a motorhome is very sensitive to cross wind. Please
drive with caution when there is cross wind.
Attention
Too low tyre pressure can cause excessive tyre wear or can lead to bursting of
the tyre when driving a fully loaded motorhome.
Therefore, please check the tyre pressure regularly.
For Fiat motorhomes the correct tyre pressure is indicated in the enclosed ALKO
manual and for Iveco and Mercedes motorhomes in the respective manual.

Chapter 1 – Beginning of the journey and the journey
8
1.4 Parking
Select a gear (if you have an automatic transmission, please put the gear shift in "P" position)
and put the hand brake on. Please don't forget to change your refrigerator to gas or 240 V
because the 12 V supply will be automatically switched off.
You should park your motorhome horizontally so that sewage can flow unhindered out of the
shower or sink unit. Wheel chocks can be very helpful.
When you are using the awning of your motorhome, you should secure it to the ground with
an additional fastener because a gust of wind can make your awning go up and cause
expensive damage to your vehicle.
Your motorhome has rear supports but do not use them for wheel changes.
Attention
For motorhomes with rear axle air suspension:
Always lower the motorhome completely with the air suspension before using the
rear supports.
Otherwise the supports and the motorhome bottom can be damaged.
Please find more information about the air suspension in the operating instructions
of the respective manufacturer.
Please note the following advice:
When your rear supports are down we suggest to put the hand crank to your
steering wheel because then you will be reminded of it before starting your
journey.
In summer please park your motorhome so that the sun cannot blaze down onto
the ventilation slots of your refrigerator. This will make your refrigerator work
better.
When parking your motorhome on a public road in built-up areas at night, please
remember to use the "red/white night park signs" which must be on your
motorhome (only for motorhomes over 3,5 tons).
Before leaving a campsite please check that you have not caused any damage and
left no refuse. The important characteristics of a camper are discretion and
environmental awareness.
Info

Chapter 1 – Beginning of the journey and the journey
9
1.5 Spending the night in your motorhome
In the following table please find the regulations of some European countries:
(subject to change)
Country
Belgium
Camp sites in all regions, especially near the coast, few motorhome parking
spaces, outside of campsites and motorhome parking spaces only at motorway
rest areas (max. one night).
Denmark
Dense network of campsites, not motorhome parking space, Quick-Stop spaces in
front of many campsites, overnight stay prohibited outside campsites
Germany
Dense network of campsites and motorhome parking spaces, One overnight stay
outside of campsites and motorhome parking spaces is permitted in order to
recreate driving fitness, pay attention to regional and local restrictions.
France
Dense network of campsites and motorhome parking spaces, pay attention to
local restrictions regarding overnight stay outside of campsites and motorhome
parking spaces.
Greece
Numerous campsites, especially near the coast, very few motorhome parking
spaces. Overnight stay prohibited outside campsites.
GB
Dense network of campsites, no motorhome parking spaces. Pay attention to local
restrictions regarding overnight stay outside of campsites.
Italy
Dense network of campsites and motorhome parking spaces, especially in the
north and centre of Italy. One overnight stay outside of campsites and motorhome
parking spaces is permitted, pay attention to regional and local restrictions.
Croatia
Dense network of campsites near the coast, few motorhome parking spaces,
Overnight stay outside of campsites and motorhome parking spaces prohibited,
also on private property.
Luxemburg
Dense network of campsites, no motorhome parking spaces, overnight stay
outside of campsites and motorhome parking spaces prohibited.
Netherlands
Dense network of campsites, many camping possibilities on farms, few
motorhome parking spaces. Overnight stay outside of campsites and motorhome
parking spaces prohibited.
Norway
Dense network of campsites, especially in the south, very few motorhome parking
spaces, pay attention to local restrictions regarding overnight stay outside of
campsites and motorhome parking spaces.
Austria
Widespread network of campsites in all regions, overnight stay outside of
campsites and motorhome parking spaces prohibited.
Sweden
Dense network of campsites in the south and centre, very few motorhome parking
spaces, pay attention to local restrictions regarding overnight stay outside of
campsites and motorhome parking spaces.
Switzerland
Widespread network of campsites, motorhome parking spaces in all regions,
overnight stay outside of campsites and motorhome parking spaces prohibited.
Spain
Dense network of campsites, few motorhome parking spaces, b pay attention to
local restrictions regarding overnight stay outside of campsites and motorhome
parking spaces.
On private property please always ask for the permission of the landlord.
Source: Promobil
from May 2012