02 2026 Open Trail Safety Instructions

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Safety Considerations:

Before using your Tiffin Open Tail, especially for the first time or after a long period of non-use, read all the instructions in the Owner’s Manual and the chassis-manufacturer’s manual thoroughly. There are several safety considerations that you must be aware of and follow while your Open Trail is in motion. These safety considerations, as well as others meant to preclude any damage to the motorhome, are listed in this chapter. Besides the driver, it would be helpful for the passengers to be familiar with these safety considerations and precautions too.

General Warnings:

In general, several “common-sense” safety precautions must be taken every time the Tiffin Open Trail is to be used on the road. These precautions include:

Only seats with seat belts must be used while the motorhome is in motion; the seat belts should be worn by all people (driver and passengers) in the motorhome at that time.

While the motorhome is moving, lock all seats in the forward-facing position to provide maximum safety for the users.

While the motorhome is moving, no one (e.g., young children) inside should ever stand or kneel on the seats.

In most states, it is the law that seat belts must be used (fastened snugly about the chest and hip areas) anytime the motorhome is in motion, to provide desired protection in the event of a crash.

Any fire extinguishers must be inspected monthly to ensure that each extinguisher is properly charged and ready for operation.

Any smoke and/or carbon monoxide (CO)/liquid propane (LP) alarms must be regularly inspected and tested. If being used for the first time, the smoke and/or CO alarm must be properly activated and fresh batteries installed before the motorhome is placed into service. Never sleep in a motorhome not having functional smoke and/or CO alarms.

While the motorhome is moving, the sleeping facilities are not to be used.

Never leave the driver’s seat unattended while the motorhome is in motion.

Pre-Departure Checklist:

For your continued safety and convenience, the following is a representative “checklist” designed to ensure your safety while driving:

Clean all windows, mirrors, and light lenses (front, back, and sides) to ensure that you can “see” and “be seen.”

Reposition any mirrors or other fixtures to provide an unobstructed view (front, back, and sides) from the driver’s seat.

Remove or secure all loose fixtures (e.g., awnings, flags, antennas, portable lights) to keep them from falling from the motorhome when the vehicle is in motion.

Make a “walk-around” visual inspection of the motorhome to note any irregularities (e.g., loose trim) or problems (e.g., low tires), correct noted problems accordingly.

Check all exterior storage-compartment doors to make sure they are properly latched. If need be, check inside all exterior compartments to make sure that all cargo and equipment are properly secured so that they do not work loose and become hazards during sudden starts and stops.

Check the tires for proper inflation (i.e., cold-inflation pressure: 50 psi). If the Tiffin Open Trail has not been used recently, make sure that the “cold inflation” pressure is maintained. If the motorhome has recently been used, make sure that the “hot inflation” pressure (see the tire-manufacturer’s literature to determine appropriate “hot inflation” pressure) is maintained on each axle. Not all axles require the same tire pressure.

Examine wheel lug nuts to ensure their proper tightness. If any lug nuts are found to be loose, first check the fit of the wheel to the hub to make sure the wheel is mounted properly, which would produce a “wobbly” wheel when the motorhome is in motion and then tighten the lug nuts.

Check all fluid levels (e.g., engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, power-steering fluid, brake fluid, battery fluid [if applicable], windshield-washer solvent) to ensure that correct levels are maintained. Fill any low reservoirs, as needed.

DO NOT SUBSTITUTE any other fluids for specified oils, transmission fluid, brake fluid, or other hydraulic fluids—substitutions are not acceptable and can void warranties.

Before starting the Open Trail engine, make sure all lines (e.g., water, sewer) and electrical power cords are disconnected and properly stowed.

Check all interior doors (e.g., shower, microwave, refrigerator, etc.) to ensure that they are locked and/or secure. Make sure that all large items are stored away and secure (e.g., coffee pots, corning ware, etc.).

Driving Safety:

Various adjustments must be made to ensure the driver’s comfort and the safety of the motorhome before starting and moving the motorhome; these include:

Do not attempt to adjust the driver’s seat while the vehicle is moving.

Do not adjust the tilt steering while the vehicle is moving.

The driver must be familiar with all gauges, instruments, switches, and indicators on the instrument panel (Figure 2-1) before driving.

Do not operate the cruise-control function during any extreme weather situations (e.g., snow, ice, sleet, heavy rain), when road conditions are hazardous (icy, snowy, winding roads, city traffic), when a constant speed of the Open Trail is not possible, or if traffic conditions do not warrant such.
Avoid driving the motorhome through any standing water. If deep enough, such water can wet the brake pads and cause fading of the brakes (i.e., loss of braking power) and lead to excessive sliding or pulling to one side or the other.
NEVER use any other “burning” equipment (e.g., charcoal grills, wood stoves, butane lights, propane lights) inside the motorhome. Doing so might cause fires and/or asphyxiation.

Carbon Monoxide Warning:

A properly maintained engine exhaust and ventilation system is the best way to protect against carbon monoxide’s entry into the vehicle. Tiffin Motorhomes recommends that the exhaust system and body be inspected by a qualified Tiffin Motorhome service center:

Each time the vehicle is serviced for an oil change.

Whenever a change in the sound of the exhaust system is noticed.

Whenever the exhaust system, underbody, or rear of the vehicle is damaged.

To allow proper operation of the vehicle’s ventilation system, always keep the front ventilation inlet grill clear of obstructions.

Do not occupy a parked vehicle with the engine running for an extended time, and do not run the engine in confined areas, such as a garage.

Your motorhome is equipped with a combination CO/Gas Alarm (Figure 2-2). This alarm combines a single compact system that detects both Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Propane (LPG) gas. It will detect carbon monoxide gas from any combustion source such as from the furnace, oven/range, water heater, refrigerator, chassis engine, and generator engine.

CO Detector:

To activate the CO sensor on this detector for the first time, remove the sensor activation strip, if it was not removed during the pre-delivery inspection.

If the alarm persists in re-arming and giving further alarms, ventilate the motorhome by opening the doors and windows. If the leak cannot be readily found after the ventilation process is concluded, then take the motorhome to a qualified service technician.

The CO detector is a powerful combined alarm that detects Carbon Monoxide (CO)). This detector uses the latest microprocessor technology combined with two electronic self-cleaning sensors that operate independently of each other. The combined unit can detect both CO and explosive gases simultaneously.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas, which, when breathed, bonds to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells and, thus, drastically reduces or blocks the transfer of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

In sufficient concentrations, CO kills by asphyxiation. In lesser amounts, CO makes the victim groggy, lethargic, and unable to think clearly or quickly.

CO is one of the products of combustion for many materials including petroleum-based products (e.g., gasoline, diesel fuel, propane, butane, etc.). Since many of the appliances and the engines associated with the motorhome produce CO in their normal operations, it is necessary to ensure that CO levels do not rise to dangerous levels within the motorhome. In sufficiently high concentrations, CO can kill in minutes.

The people most susceptible to CO poisoning are unborn babies, small children, pregnant women, senior citizens, and people with cardiovascular or respiratory problems.

Consequently, it is prudent to check the CO monitor regularly for normal operation and to remain aware of the symptoms of CO poisoning, which include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, muscular twitching, throbbing in the temples, incoherent thinking and speech, weakness, sleepiness, and intense headaches.

If any of these symptoms are experienced in the motorhome, IMMEDIATELY evacuate the motorhome and seek medical help. Shut down the motorhome and do not attempt to operate it again until the sources of the CO are located and fixed.

Fire Safety:

As with any enclosed system containing the three required conditions for fire (i.e., combustible materials, oxygen, and ignition sources), there will exist the possibility of fire inside the motorhome. Tiffin Motorhomes has taken every precaution and design practice to minimize or negate this possibility, but the final determination rests with the owner and user of the motorhome. Hence, the owners, users, and their guests must be aware of basic fire-safety practices and procedures, and those features that Tiffin Motorhomes has provided for fire safety.

Fire Extinguisher:

The Tiffin Open Trail is equipped with a fire extinguisher (Figure 2-3) located in the entrance door stairwell. The extinguisher is rated for both Class B (i.e., grease, gasoline, diesel fuel, flammable liquids) and Class C (i.e., electrical) services.

Read and understand the accompanying owner’s manual on the extinguisher (found in your Owner’s Information Package) and remember the location of the extinguisher. These types of fire extinguishers are pressurized mechanical devices and require that appropriate care be used in their safe storage and use. The owner’s manual will provide necessary guidance for the proper storage, handling, and use of the extinguishers.

Prudent preventive maintenance suggests monthly inspection of any fire extinguisher to ensure that it is sufficiently pressurized (i.e., the needle on the gauge is in the “normal” zone) and that the mechanical components are not blocked in any way.

DO NOT test a fire extinguisher by partially discharging the unit—this will cause a loss of pressure and might lodge some fire-retardant materials in the valve mechanism and cause the extinguisher to continue to vent slowly down to zero pressure. If an extinguisher is ever partially used, continue its use until the unit is completely discharged. Then, have the fire extinguisher fully recharged at an appropriate service center (call any fire department for information on having an extinguisher recharged in that locality).

DO NOT wait to recharge an empty fire extinguisher; you will never know when it might be needed.

Should a fire occur inside or around the motorhome, evacuate the motorhome quickly and calmly—do not panic. In the event of heavy smoke or extensive flames, keep low (crawl if you must), and make your way to the nearest exit (door, emergency window) and leave. If the fire involves a fuel source (e.g., diesel fuel, LP gas), consider the probability of an explosion and move sufficiently far away to minimize personal harm. If possible, immediately place a call to the local fire department (or ask someone nearby to do so) to report the fire. Consider the cause and the consequences of the fire and the risks associated with possibly fighting the fire yourself before trying to extinguish it.

DO NOT expose yourself or others to unnecessary danger.

Smoke Detector:

The Tiffin Open Trail is equipped with a battery-operated smoke detector (Figure 2-4) located on the ceiling in the living area of the motorhome.

The smoke detector must be tested on a weekly basis, before each trip, and after any period of storage of the motorhome.

If a low-battery condition is noted or the alarm “chirps” to indicate a low-battery condition, immediately replace the battery. Tiffin Motorhomes recommends that you keep replacement batteries in the motorhome for any in-transit replacements so that the smoke-alarm capability is never compromised.

DO NOT disable the smoke detector for any transient, false alarm (e.g., cooking smoke, dusty furnace, tobacco smoke). Ventilate the motorhome with fresh air and the alarm will reset on its own.

Electrical:

Careless handling of electrical components can be fatal. Never touch or use electrical components or appliances while feet are bare, hands are wet or standing in water.

Improper grounding of the vehicle can cause personal injury.

Do not attach an extension cord to the utility power cord.

Do not use any electrical device that has had the ground pin removed.

Avoid overloading electrical circuits. Replace fuses or circuit breakers with those of the same size and amperage rating only. NEVER use a higher rated fuse or breaker.

Loading: Refer to towing section

Store or secure all loose items inside the motorhome before traveling. Possible overlooked items such as canned goods or small appliances on the countertop, or freestanding furniture can become dangerous projectiles during a sudden stop.

Be aware of GVWR, GAWR, and individual load limit on each tire or set of duals.

Never load the motorhome in excess of the gross vehicle weight rating or the gross axle weight rating for either axle.

Maintenance:

Do not remove the radiator cap while the engine and radiator are still hot. Always check the coolant level visually using the see-through coolant reservoir.

NEVER get beneath a vehicle that is held up by a jack only.

Do not mix different construction types of tires on the vehicle. Replace tires with the exact size, type, and load range.