Trailer Hitches And Towing; Towing Automobiles - Fleetwood Limited 1987 User Manual

WARNING: DO NOT INSTALL ANY TYPE OF
WEIGHT CARRYING RACK OR FRAME TO THE
REAR BUMPER OR ANY CHASSIS OR BODY
COMPONENT OF THE MOTOR HOME. DAMAGE
TO THE MOTOR HOME BODY AND UNSTABLE
HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS MAY RESULT.
Make a loading diagram of your properly loaded
motor home. It will help you locate where specific
items are stored, and will help speed the loading
process. Store emergency items in a readily accessible
location. Include a fire extinguisher, tools, jack, first-
aid kit, rain gear, flashlight, highway warning devices,
and an electric cord with light.
WARNING: DO NOT STORE OR CARRY LP GAS
CONTAINERS, GASOLINE, OR OTHER FLAM-
MABLE LIQUIDS INSIDE YOUR MOTOR HOME.
TRAILER HITCHES AND TOWING
If you expect to pull a trailer with your motor home,
please use these guidelines when choosing a hitch
and trailer:
• Hitch classification: Class II
• Limit the vertical hitch load (tongue weight of
trailer) to a maximum of 250 pounds. Heavier
vertical hitch loads can cause damage to your
motor home rear frame and body, cause unstable
driving and handling characteristics, and may
restrict your rights under the Ownercare warranty.
• Do not tow a trailer weighing more than 3500
pounds, or more than recommended by the chassis
manufacturer, whichever is less. Heavier trailers
can cause damage to the motor home structure
6
or drive train, cause unstable driving or handling
characteristics, or restrict your rights under the
Ownercare warranty.
• Check the following chart to determine the Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of the motor
home chassis. The GCWR is the total weight of
the motor home and trailer.
Chassis
Manufacturer
John Deere
Engine
7.5 L (460)
V8 Gas
Axle
Ratio GCWR
4.63 20,000
• Exceeding these GCWR's may cause damage to
your motor home drive train or chassis, unstable
driving and handling characteristics, and may void
your warranty.
• Weigh your motor home fully loaded with driver,
passengers, cargo, and the fully loaded trailer
attached. Do not exceed the Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR) of any axle, and do not exceed the
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of either the
motor home, the trailer, or the Gross Combined
Weight Rating (GCWR) of the motor home. If any
of these ratings are exceeded, weight must be
eliminated or shifted until scale weights are equal
to or less than ratings.
Towing Automobiles
If you plan to tow an automobile with your motor
home, the tongue weight must not exceed 250
pounds. The Gross Combined Weight must not
exceed the GCWR listed on the chart.
Towing devices other than wheeled dollies that
raise the front or rear wheels of the vehicle in tow
off the ground may create tongue weights in exceess
of the 250 pounds maximum, and must not be used.