Loading The Vehicle; Front Axle Tire Alignment; Weighing Your Loaded Vehicle - Winnebago Journey Owner's Manual

TRAVELING WITH YOUR MOTORHOME
(See also SAFETY PRECAUTIONS, Section 1
of this manual.)
LOADING THE
VEHICLE
When loading the vehicle, distribute
the cargo load equally so that you do not exceed
either the Front or Rear Gross Axle Weight Rat-
ing (GAWR) or the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR). The Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) means the weight value specified by
the chassis manufacturer as the load carrying ca-
pacity of a single axle system as measured at the
tire-to-ground interfaces. This is the total weight
a given axle is capable of carrying. Each axle has
its own rating.
Have your vehicle weighed to determine the
proper load distribution for your vehicle. Also
distribute cargo side-to-side so the weight on
each tire or dual set does not exceed one half of
the GAWR for either axle.
For example, if the Front GAWR is 6,000 lbs.,
there should be no more than 3,000 lbs. on each
tire. (If the left side weighs 3,100 lbs. and the
right side weighs 2,700 lbs., at least 100 lbs. of
the load should be shifted from the left side to the
right side.) The GVWR is listed on the Vehicle
Certification Label. (See page 0-3).
The total combined weight allowed for the ve-
hicle, including trailer towing load weight, is
known as the Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR). If trailer towing is not recommended,
the GCWR will equal the GVWR.
NOTE: We recommend that you dump all hold-
ing tanks before traveling to avoid car-
rying unnecessary weight.
CAUTION
The weight of the loaded vehicle
(including options, attachments, pas-
sengers, water, fuel, luggage and all
other cargo) must not exceed the
GVWR or GAWR of either axle.
SECTION 4
FRONT AXLE TIRE
ALIGNMENT
We recommend that you have the front sus-
pension and steering alignment checked and ad-
justed after you have fully loaded the vehicle
according to your needs. Thereafter, have align-
ment inspected periodically to maintain vehicle
steering performance and prevent uneven tire
wear.
WEIGHING YOUR
LOADED VEHICLE
To check the weight of your fully loaded
coach, locate a commercial weighing scale that is
capable of weighing large trucks.
Drive the entire coach onto the scale. This
weight should not exceed the Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) specified on the Vehicle
Certification Label near the driver seat. (See sam-
ple on page 0-3.)
To determine the weight on either front or rear
axle, drive that axle only onto the scale. Neither
axle weight should exceed the corresponding
maximum axle weight rating specified on the cer-
tification label.
4-1