Owner`s manual

CHASSIS INFORMATION — 10
186
2008 LAPALMA XL
chaSSIS - IntroDuctIon
This section contains information and
instruction regarding various components of the
motorhome chassis. Follow the guidelines and
procedures to help understand and operate the
motorhome. Complete instructions for engine
and transmission are located in their respective
operators manual included in the Owner’s
Information File Box.
WARNING:
When welding is involved for
motorhome repair or modification,
only qualified, experienced technicians
should weld on the chassis. Improper
welding procedures and materials
may weaken the assembly or result in
damage that is not obvious and may not
cause an immediate problem or failure.
Unauthorized modifications or repairs to
the chassis could result in a forfeiture of
warranty coverage.
DANGER:
Due to the sensitive nature of the
electronics on the chassis, the following
precautions are required to protect
electrical components in the motorhome
chassis.
1. Disconnect the (+) positive and (-)
negative battery connection.
2. Cover electronic control components
and wiring to protect from hot sparks.
3. Disconnect the terminal plugs from
the engine Electronic Control Unit
located on the curb side of the engine
block.
4. Disconnect all plugs from the
transmission Electronic Control
Unit, and the Monaco 4 box. Both
are located in the rear curbside
compartment. Unscrew and lift off the
black box to access the transmission
electronic control disconnect unit.
5. Disconnect the wiring from the
alternator.
6. DO NOT connect welding cables to
electronic control components.
7. Attach the welding ground cable no
more than two feet from the part to be
welded.
The Roadmaster chassis design provides
exceptional balance, handling and braking
characteristics. The Roadmaster chassis is an
engine and frame unit featuring an all steel frame
design, providing greater structural integrity
and uniform stress distribution. Incorporated in
the Roadmaster chassis are two-leaf parabolic
springs and Monroe gas shock absorbers. This
design provides the smoothest ride, best handling
and trouble free service while delivering
excellent drive ability. The chassis also has
a three-point hydraulic leveling system. The
Roadmaster chassis design offers unsurpassed
ease of maintenance and service.
The towing system incorporated in the
construction of the frame is rated at 4,000 lbs.
towing and 400 lbs. tongue weight.
Roadmaster’s exclusive rail chassis, with
parabolic leaf springs, consists of front and rear
axles that combines the right mix of state-of-
the-art components to provide ride and handling
comparable to air-ride suspension systems.
Brake SyStemS
Hydraulic Brakes
The chassis incorporates three different
aspects of the braking system: Service Brakes,
Parking/Emergency and the Antilock Braking
System (ABS). The Service Brake System uses
a hydraulic brake actuation system. This system
includes a hydraulic booster assembly, a master
cylinder assembly and a monitoring system. A
reserve electric-hydraulic pump is included as
a safety feature to provide limited power assist
should the primary system fail.
The Hydro-Max brake system gets primary
power for the booster from the power steering
pump. The reserve electric motor pump is turned
on by a relay that is activated when a ow
switch detects power steering uid loss. The
brakes will remain operational with a greatly
increased stopping distance in the event that both
the primary hydraulic and the backup electrical
pump fail to operate.
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