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Old 10-23-2014, 02:40 AM   #1
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Owners Manual For Dutchmen Motorhome

I just purchased a 2004 Dutchmen Dorado 23BA motorhome. It came with information about all the appliances, etc., but no actual owners manual that explains, for example, what unmarked rocker switch does what, what the red and green flashing light beneath the pantry is, and other things that aren't self-explanatory. I saw where someone on this forum was seeking information as to where he could get an owners manual. This was back in March of this year, and there were no responses to his question.
My question is:, Is there no such thing as a typical owners manual for this coach? If there is such a thing, I would really appreciate any leads you can offer.
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Old 10-23-2014, 03:18 AM   #2
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I did not receive one on my 2013 Voltage 3950. Look online for info. The info is vague at best. Specifics will come from owners.
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Old 10-23-2014, 03:23 AM   #3
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Reason there was no response to the thread was owners manuals are very generic. They give the very basics as in "you have a refrigerator" but now go to the manufacturers manual. They don't tell you anything about switches or location of switches or what the switches do. That's all part of the "fun" of owning an RV, you get to explore and discover for yourself. The manufacturers change things so often that a manual would have to be rewritten weekly. So, enjoy the challenge and welcome to the world of RVing. Welcome to the forum.
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Old 10-23-2014, 03:43 AM   #4
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Yes, the owners manuals are very generic! Not fun. Switches and the such, should be explained. Appliances, and extras should be clearly explained by the manufactures manual and the owners manual.
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Old 10-23-2014, 11:11 AM   #5
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What I find a bit ironic is that there are several manufacturers that produce motorhomes and trailers with very complete manuals, however they are all small volume. It seems the larger they get and the more units they crank out the less likely they are to take the time and effort to put together a proper manual. Airstream used to put together a very nice owner's manual as well as a supplemental service manual for their products. They no longer do, they have pretty generic ones now too.

I was in a Lazy Daze motorhome the other day and it had a very complete manual. Ditto the Born Free ones I have seen.

I guess us proletarian types just have to make do...

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Old 10-23-2014, 01:40 PM   #6
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I don't believe that volume has much to do with how complete a manual is. After all, look at the millions of cars and trucks manufactured and they come with very complete manuals. Motorhomes (and other RVs) generally have a limited number of models and the variances in them *should* be easy enough to incorporate all in one manual just as a car manual manages to get all the different features in one. Frankly I think it boils down to pure laziness on the part of the manufacturer, that or their unwillingness to hire a couple of good tech writers to put together a complete manual. Maybe it is a bit of both. Airstream is now part of Thor Industries so perhaps that explains the change in attitudes with them.
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Old 10-23-2014, 04:51 PM   #7
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I agree that they "could" produce a manual. However it would cut into their profit margins and actually make them adhere to a plan. Right now they are churning models and features so quickly that no manual can keep up with it. I have seen two supposedly identical trailers that were made in the same week, that had different items on them. Probably why they do the generic thing.


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Old 10-30-2014, 01:43 AM   #8
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My apologies guys for coming on here for information and, after you graciously responded, I failed to come back and thank you. The wife and I have been out enjoying our motorhome in the mountains of North Georgia and had no internet service where we were camping. So, I am now thanking you all for your help.
I figured out most of the stuff in question about the coach, but there's a few things I still don't understand. There are two rocker switches when you enter the coach, one is to the left of the power converter which is located to the left of the steps, and the other is an illuminated rocker switch that is located right beside the battery disconnect. I can't find anything that these switches do. Any thoughts?
Thanks again for your help.
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Old 10-30-2014, 12:43 PM   #9
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Photos may help.....
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Old 10-31-2014, 02:06 PM   #10
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I previously owned a Jayco and the owners manual that we received with a tiny 17foot hybrid was a very long read. Thick manual.

Purchased the Aerolite and the owners manual is nothing more than a few pages stapled together. I'm glad we weren't complete newbies when we purchased the Aerolite or we would have been in trouble.
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