Itasca spirit User manual

TO THE OWNER
Congratulations! We welcome you to the exciting world of motor home travel and camping. You will
find it convenient and enjoyable to have all the comforts of home and still enjoy the great outdoors
wherever you choose to go.
Your motor home has been carefully designed, engineered and manufactured to provide dependability
as well as safety. Before sliding into the driver’s seat, take a few minutes to become familiar with opera-
tions and features. This manual was prepared to aid you in the proper care and operation of the vehicle and
equipment. We urge you to read it completely. In addition, spend some time with the dealer when you take
delivery, you will want to learn all you can about your new motor home.
Your new motor home is covered by a factory warranty against defects in material and workmanship.
This warranty should be validated at once and returned to the factory by your dealer.
Read and understand all instructions and precautions in this manual before operating your new motor
home.
Throughout this manual, certain items are labeled NOTE, CAUTION and WARNING. These terms
alert you to precautions that can involve risk to your vehicle or to your personal safety. Read and follow
them carefully.
NOTE: Indicates a special point of information.
.
CAUTION
Indicates that a failure to observe can
cause damage to vehicle or equip-
ment
WARNING
This symbol is used to alert you to
precautions that involve your per-
sonal safety as well as vehicle dam-
age. Read and follow them carefully.
132000-12-000April 1999

*LP Gas tank capacity shown is the usable “full” LP gas capacity, which is 80% of the tank manufac-
turer’s listed water capacity (w.c. shown in parenthesis). An LP tank must have at least 20% of tank
volume free to allow for expansion and proper vaporization of the liquid fuel. The tank is also equipped
with mandatory safety shut-off equipment that prevents filling above this level.
OWNER’S NAME
STREET ADDRESS
CITY AND STATE (OR PROVINCE IN CANADA)
MOTOR HOME SERIAL NUMBER
VEHICLE CHASSIS IDENTIFICATION NO. (VIN)
DATE OF DELIVERY TO FIRST RETAIL PURCHASER
VEHICLE MILEAGE AT TIME OF DELIVERY
SELLING DEALER NAME AND ADDRESS
TANK CAPACITIES
Chassis Fuel Tank
Chevy Chassis w/Gas Engine (22’ 24’ & 27’ Models)...................................................... 55 gal.
Ford Chassis, Short wheelbase w/Gas Engine (22’ Models).............................................. 37 gal.
Ford Chassis w/Gas Engine (24’, 27’ 29’ & 31” Models) ................................................. 55 gal.
Ford Chassis w/Diesel Engine (27’, 29’ & 31’ Models).................................................... 55 gal.
LP Gas Tank
22’, 24’, 27’ & 29’ Models........................................................................ 9.6 gal.* (12 gal. w.c.)
31’ Models.................................................................................................. 14 gal.* (18 gal. w.c.)
Fresh Water Tank
Models 322R & 322E......................................................................................................... 30 gal.
Model 324V........................................................................................................................ 40 gal.
Models 327P....................................................................................................................... 33 gal.
Models 329N & 331C......................................................................................................... 31 gal.
Water Heater - All Models ................................................................................................. 6 gal.
HT1 - Black Water Holding Tank
Models 322E & 324V (Toilet & Lavatory) ........................................................................ 30 gal.
Model 322R (Toilet & Lavatory)........................................................................................ 36 gal.
Model 327P (Toilet)............................................................................................................ 34 gal.
Model 329N (Toilet & Lavatory) ....................................................................................... 27 gal.
Model 331C (Toilet & Lavatory)........................................................................................ 34 gal.
HT2 - Grey Water Holding Tank
Models 322E & 324V (Galley & Shower)......................................................................... 36 gal.
Models 322R (Galley & Shower).......................................................................................30 gal.
Model 327P (Galley, Lavatory & Shower)......................................................................... 42 gal.
Model 329N (Galley & Shower) ........................................................................................ 40 gal.
Model 331C (Galley & Shower)......................................................................................... 32 gal.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
About This Manual............................... 0-1
Chassis Operating Guide ......................0-1
Owner’s InfoCase ................................. 0-1
Before Driving...................................... 0-2
Service Assistance ................................0-2
Warranty................................................0-2
Drinking and Driving............................ 0-2
Reporting Safety Defects...................... 0-3
Vehicle Certification Label................... 0-4
Exterior Feature Identification..............0-5
SECTION 1: SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
General Warnings..................................1-1
Driving.................................................. 1-1
Fuel & LP Gas ......................................1-2
LP Gas Leaks .......................................1-3
LP Gas Alarm .......................................1-3
Electrical............................................... 1-4
Loading................................................. 1-4
Maintenance.......................................... 1-5
Formaldehyde Warning.........................1-5
Carbon Monoxide Warning...................1-5
Carbon Monoxide Alarm...................... 1-6
Emergency Exit Window...................... 1-6
Fire Extinguisher................................... 1-7
Smoke Alarm........................................ 1-7
SECTION 2: DRIVING YOUR MOTOR
HOME
Before Entering..................................... 2-1
Before Driving...................................... 2-1
Keys ...................................................... 2-2
Fuel Selection ....................................... 2-2
Gasoline Fuel Fill.................................. 2-2
Chassis Fuel Tank Capacity.................. 2-2
Starting and Stopping Engine ............... 2-2
Fuel Pump Shut Off Switch.................. 2-3
Parking Brake ....................................... 2-3
Hazard Warning Lights......................... 2-3
Door Locks and Handles....................... 2-3
Entrance Step........................................2-4
Seats...................................................... 2-5
Seat Belts ..............................................2-6
Child Restraints..................................... 2-7
Mirrors .................................................. 2-7
Instrument Panel................................... 2-8
Comfort Controls.................................. 2-9
Air Conditioning, Automotive........... 2-9
Radio/Cassette Player........................... 2-9
Auxiliary Start Switch........................... 2-9
Auxiliary Battery Switch...................... 2-9
Slideout Room
(Model 331C/T).......................2-9 - 2-12
SECTION 3: IN CASE OF DRIVING
EMERGENCY
Hazard Flashers..................................... 3-1
Spare Tire.............................................. 3-1
Tire Changing
Safety Precautions.............................. 3-1
Wheel Nuts ........................................ 3-2
Recovery Towing.................................. 3-2
Jump Starting........................................ 3-3
Connecting a Battery Charger............... 3-3
Engine Overheat ................................... 3-4
SECTION 4: TRAVELING WITH YOUR
MOTOR HOME
Loading the Vehicle.............................. 4-1
Front Axle Tire Alignment ................... 4-1
Maximum Occupancy........................... 4-2
Roof Loading........................................ 4-2
Car or Trailer Towing ........................... 4-2
Pre-Travel Checklist ............................. 4-3
Travel Tips............................................ 4-3
Severe Weather Information ................. 4-4
Nighttime Driving................................. 4-5
Mountain Driving ................................. 4-6
Campsite Selection ............................... 4-6
Leveling ............................................... 4-6
Blocking................................................ 4-6
Effects of Prolonged Occupancy .......... 4-7
Humidity and Condensation ................. 4-7
SECTION 5: LP GAS SYSTEM
LP Gas Supply ..................................... 5-1
Safe Use of LP Gas System.................. 5-1
How LP Gas Works .............................. 5-1
Selecting Fuel Types............................. 5-2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
LP Tank System.................................... 5-2
Refilling Tank ....................................... 5-2
Air in the LP Gas Tank ......................... 5-3
Traveling with LP Gas.......................... 5-3
Regulator...............................................5-3
LP Gas Leaks........................................ 5-4
Winter Use of LP Gas........................... 5-5
SECTION 6: ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS
110-Volt AC System .............................6-1
External Power Cord (Shoreline).......... 6-1
Power Center......................................... 6-2
Converter Charging Section.................. 6-3
Thermal Breaker ...................................6-3
110-Volt Circuit Breakers ..................... 6-3
110-Volt Receptacles (Outlets) .............6-4
Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter
(GFCI)................................................6-4
Auxiliary 110-Volt Generator
Operating Instructions................6-4 - 6-6
12-Volt DC System...............................6-6
Automotive (Starting) Battery ..............6-7
House Batteries..................................... 6-7
12-Volt Fuses ........................................ 6-7
Battery Access (Storage)....................... 6-8
Battery Maintenance............................. 6-8
Trailer Wiring Connector......................6-9
SECTION 7: PLUMBING SYSTEMS
Fresh Water System .............................. 7-1
Filling Water Tank ................................7-1
Fresh Water Tank Capacity...................7-1
Water Pump........................................... 7-1
Water Pump Switch............................... 7-1
Disinfecting Water Tank .......................7-2
External (City Water) Connector .......... 7-2
Shower Valve Pressure Bleed-Off ........7-3
Waste Water System.............................. 7-3
Dumping Holding Tanks.......................7-3
Using On-Site Sewer Hook-Ups...........7-4
Water Drain Valves ...............................7-4
Water System Winterization Valve ....... 7-4
Holding Tank Capacities....................... 7-6
Water System Drain Valve
Locations..................................7-7 to 7-9
SECTION 8: APPLIANCES AND
INTERIOR FEATURES
Refrigerator...................................8-1 - 8-4
Range and Oven.................................... 8-4
Microwave Oven................................... 8-5
Range Hood .......................................... 8-5
Monitor Panel ....................................... 8-5
Tank Leveling, Checking...................... 8-6
Water Heater ......................................... 8-6
By-Pass Valve ....................................... 8-7
LP Gas Furnace..................................... 8-8
Ducted Roof Air Conditioning .............8-8
Air Conditioner Selector Switch........... 8-8
TV Antenna......................................... 8-10
TV Signal Amplifier........................... 8-11
Cable TV Hook-Up ............................ 8-11
Video Control Center ......................... 8-11
Digital Satellite System Wiring .......... 8-12
DC-AC Electric Voltage Inverter........ 8-12
Exterior Entertainment Center ...........8-12
Sleeping Facilities
Overhead Bunk ................................ 8-12
Couch-Bed Conversion.................... 8-13
Dinette/Bed Conversion................... 8-13
Fresh Water Toilet............................... 8-13
Power Roof Vent ................................ 8-14
Slider Windows................................... 8-14
Day/Night Pleated Window Shades.... 8-14
SECTION 9: CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Roof ...................................................... 9-1
Underbody ............................................ 9-1
Exterior ................................................. 9-1
Waxing and Polishing........................ 9-1
Stripes and Decals, care of.................... 9-2
Interior Maintenance
Upholstery, Carpeting and
Draperies........................................ 9-2
Cabinets ............................................. 9-3
Vinyl Wallboard................................. 9-3
Tables and Countetops....................... 9-3
Stainless Steel Sink............................ 9-3
Bathroom ........................................... 9-3
Doors and Windows........................... 9-4
Window Roll-Up Shade Adjustment 9-4
Vehicle Maintenance
Chassis Service and Maintenance...... 9-4
Engine Access.................................... 9-4

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Engine Cooling System .....................9-4
Tires ................................................... 9-4
Suspension Alignment and Tire
Balance............................................9-5
Windshield Washers and Wipers........ 9-5
Lights ................................................. 9-5
Automotive 12-Volt Circuit Breakers 9-5
Awning Installation............................ 9-5
SECTION 10: STORING YOUR MOTOR
HOME
Preparing Vehicle for Storage............. 10-1
Cold Weather Storage
(Winterizing)..........................10-1 - 10-3
Remove from Storage......................... 10-3