On The Road; Motor Home Loading; Responsibility For Proper Loading; Some Definitions First - Fleetwood Expedition 2009 Service Manual

State laws in the United States and provincial
laws in Canada vary concerning operator
licensing requirements and vehicle dimen-
sional restrictions. Check the laws in the area
where you anticipate traveling.
MOTOR HOME LOADING
Responsibility for Proper Loading
As the operator of this motor home, you are respon-
sible for its proper and safe loading. This section is
intended to provide you with helpful information
concerning the loading of your motor home.
Your motor home chassis is designed to carry a
specifically rated maximum weight. This weight
includes everything: the weight of the empty
motor home itself, all occupants and their
belongings, fuel, fresh water, waste water and
anything else that may be in or attached to the
motor home.
The specified weights must never
be exceeded. If you do exceed them, you will
change how your motor home handles and
responds, possibly leading to a vehicle crash.
Some Definitions First
Before discussing loading and weighing, we need
to explain some common weight terms. We will
use abbreviations and you should refer back to
these terms if you do not understand what the
abbreviation means.
Designated Seating Capacity
(Canadian units only)
the number of sleeping positions desig-
nated equals the seating capacity.
Factory Weight"
is the UVW at the time of shipment from
the factory to the dealer.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)"
is the maximum permissible loaded weight
a specific axle is designed to carry.
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)"
is the value specified by the motor home
ON THE ROAD
manufacturer as the maximum allowable
loaded weight of this motor home with its
towed trailer or towed vehicle. Towing and
braking capacities may be different. Refer to
Fleetwood and the chassis manufacturer's
manuals for complete information.
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)"
is the maximum permissible weight of this
fully loaded motor home. The GVWR is
equal to or greater than the sum of the
Unloaded Vehicle Weight plus the
Occupant and Cargo Carrying Capacity.
LCCR (Load Carrying Capacity
Reduction)"
is the amount the OCCC is reduced due to
vehicle weight added by the dealer between
vehicle certification and first retail sale.
MGTW (Maximum Gross Towed Weight)'
is the maximum loaded weight of a trailer or
towed vehicle this motor home, with
equipped hitch, has been designated to tow.
Maximum Gross Towed Weight cannot be
increased by changing the trailer hitch.
MTW (Maximum Tongue Weight)'
is the maximum permissible downward
force exelied on the hitch ball by the towed
vehicle coupler.
OCCC (Occupant and Cargo Carrying
Capacity)"
is the available weight capacity for occu-
pants and cargo however dealer options
may reduce this by the LCCR.
UVW (Unloaded Vehicle Weight)"
is the weight of a vehicle with maximum
capacity of all fluids necessary for opera-
tion of the vehicle, but without cargo, or
accessories that are ordinarily removed
from the vehicle when they are not in use.
UVW does not include occupants and
cargo such as water in the various holding
tanks.
*These ratings are shown on the label which
includes the Federal Certification Tag.
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