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3. Drive forward until only the rear axle is on the
platform and take a reading. This reading is the
rear Gross Axle Weight (Reading 3).
4. Compare reading 2 with the GVWR (Gross
Vehicle Weight Rating) of your vehicle. This
rating is located on the certification tag. If the
reading exceeds the GVWR rating, you will have
to reduce the total vehicle load.
5. If reading 2 is less than the GVWR of your
vehicle, check readings 1 and 3 to verify that
each is less than the GAWR on the certification
tag. If either exceeds the GAWR for the axle,
redistribute enough of the load to ensure that
loads on the front and rear axles are within the
required limit.
6. Since the placement of cargo on each side of
the motor home is important, each side of the
motor home should also be weighed. This will
require positioning both wheels on each side
down the center of the scale platform and tak-
ing a reading for each side. The attendant will
help you with proper positioning.
Periodically re-weigh your motor home. Different
traveling configurations may change your loading and
weight pattern.
WARNING: DO NOT EXCEED THE RATED LOAD
OF THE MOTOR HOME, OR THE RATED LOAD OF
ANY AXLE.
NOTE: THE PASSENGER AND CARGO CARRYING
CAPACITIES OF YOUR MOTOR HOME ARE SPECI-
FIED ON A LABEL AFFIXED TO THE INSIDE OF A
WARDROBE DOOR. THE LABEL INCLUDES ALL
FACTORY INSTALLED OPTIONS. IF OTHER EQUIP-
MENT SUCH AS LEVELING JACKS, AWNINGS,
ROOF PODS, ETC., ARE INSTALLED AFTER THE
MOTOR HOME LEAVES THE FACTORY, THE
WEIGHT OF THESE ITEMS MUST BE SUB-
TRACTED FROM THE TOTAL OF THE PASSENGER
AND CARGO CARRYING CAPACITIES.
Loading Tips
After you have determined how much weight you
can safely carry and selected those items to make up
that weight, make a list and keep it for future
reference. Load the motor home and distribute the load
so that you get proper weight on the axles. Do not
load heavy items near either end of the motor home
or on the rear bumper. Adjust cargo storage to keep
the side to side wheel loads as equal as possible. Carry
only as much water as needed for travel use or to
balance the load. Whenever possible, empty the
holding tanks before traveling.
WARNING: DO NOT INSTALL ANY TYPE OF
WEIGHT CARRYING RACK OR FRAME TO THE
REAR BUMPER OR ANY CHASSIS OR BODY COM-
PONENT OF THE MOTOR HOME. DAMAGE TO
1 1
THE MOTOR HOME BODY AND UNSTABLE
HANDLING C;HARACTERISTICS MAY RESULT.
WARNING: EXCEEDING THE GAWR OR GVWR OF
YOUR MOTOR HOME CAN CAUSE UNDESIRABLE
HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS AND MAY
CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD. MODIFICATION OF
YOUR VEHICLE BY ADDITION OF RACKS NOT
SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO CARRY
ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT OR VEHICLES IS NOT
RECOMMENDED, MAY CREATE A SAFETY
HAZARD, AND MAY VOID YOUR WARRANTY.
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 pro-
cess. Store emergency items in a readily accessible
location. Include tools, 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 choo'sing a hitch and
trailer:
*
Hitch clpssification: Class II
*
Limit the vertical hitch load (tongue weight of
the 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 Owner-
care warranty.
*
Do not tow a trailer weighing more than 3500
pounds, or more than recommended by the
chassis manufacturer, whichever is les3.
Heavier trailers can cause damage to the motor
home structure or drive train, cause unstable
driving or handling characteristics, or restrict
your rights under the Ownercare warranty.
* Check the following chart (provided by the
chassis manufacturer) to determine the Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of the motor
home chassis. The GCWR is the total weight
of the fully loaded motor home with driver, all
passengers, all cargo and the fully loaded trailer.
Chassis
Axle
Manufacturer
Engine
Ratio
GCWR
Chevrolet
7.4L (454) V8 Gas
4.73
14,000
Chevrolet
4.10
15,500
Chevrolet
4.56
17,500
Chevrolet
4.88
18,500
* Alternate gear ratios may be retrofitted for
special towing needs. Contact your local
chassis manufacturer dealer for chassis recom-
mendations. Exceeding these GCWR's may
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