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3.
4.
5.
Drive the vehicle backward until the tag axle
wheels just clear the scale pad. It is important
to keep the tag and drive wheels level for ac-
curacy. This is the load on the drive and front
axles (Reading 3).
Subtract Reading 2 from Reading 1. This is the
front axle weight (Front GAW). Subtract
Reading 3 from Reading 1. This is the tag axle
weight (Tag GAW). Subtract front GAW from
Reading 3. This is the drive axle weight (Drive
GAW).
Compare the Gross Vehicle Weight (Reading 1)
to the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) of
your vehicle. If this weight exceeds the GVWR
of your vehicle, you will have to remove cargo
to reduce the total vehicle load.
6.
Compare each axle weight to its respective
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating). If any axle
weight exceeds its rating, you will have to
redistribute cargo to insure that the load on
each axle is within its required limit.
7.
The motor home should also be weighed from
side to side. This will require positioning all
wheels on each side down the center of the
scale platform and taking 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 CARRY-
ING CAPACITIES OF YOUR MOTOR HOME ARE
SPECIFIED ON A LABEL AFFIXED TO THE IN-
SIDE OF A WARDROBE DOOR. THE LABEL IN-
CLUDES ALL FACTORY INSTALLED OPTIONS.
IF OTHER EQUIPMENT SUCH AS LEVELING
JACKS, AWNINGS, ROOF PODS, ETC., ARE IN-
STALLED AFTER THE MOTOR HOME LEAVES
THE FACTORY, THE WEIGHT OF THESE ITEMS
MUST BE SUBTRACTED 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. Don't
load heavy items in upper cabinets. Secure and brace
items so they won't move during travel, thereby shif-
ting motor home load. 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
15
as needed for travel use or to balance the load.
Whenever possible, empty the holding tanks before
traveling.
WARNING: MODIFICATION OF YOUR VEHICLE
BY ADDITION OF RACKS NOT SPECIFIED BY
THE MANUFACTURER TO CARRY ADDITIONAL
EQUIPMENT
OR
VEHICLES
IS
NOT
RECOMMENDED.
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 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 Owner-
care warranty.
Do not tow a trailer weighing more than 3500
pounds, or more than recommended by the
chassis manufacturer (as described below),
whichever is less. 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 to determince the
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of the
motor home chassis. The GCWR is the total
weight of the motor home and trailer.
Chassis
Axle
Manufacturer
Engine
Ratio
GCWR
•
Chevrolet
7.4L (454) V8 GAS
4.56
19,000
Chevrolet
4.88
19,000
Oshkosh
(460) V8 Gas EFI
4.88
20,000
Ford
(460) V8 Gas EFI
5.13
25,000
Alternate gear ratios may be retrofitted for
special towing needs. Contact your local
chassis manufacturer dealer for recommenda-
tions. 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.
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