Towed Vehicle Requirements - Holiday Admiral 2016 Manual

Example: The motorhome has a GCWR
of 35,000 lbs. The motorhome in a fully
loaded, ready for travel condition, weighs
29,500 lbs. The hitch receiver is rated at
700 lbs. tongue, 7000 lbs. tow. The load
being towed weighs 4,200 lbs. with a
tongue weight of 400 lbs. However, the
hitch ball is rated at 3,500 lbs. In this
case tow capacity is limited to 3,500 lbs.
due to the rating of the hitch ball, even
though the rest of the towing equipment,
hitch receiver and vehicle GCWR are
within specifications.
It is possible to be within the GCWR but
exceed the GAWR. When tongue weight is
applied, mechanical advantage increases with
distance (lever) from the hitch ball to the tag axle
or drive axle. That axle now becomes a pivot
point (fulcrum).
As tongue weight increases (effort), weight
on the drive axle also increases (fulcrum)
while weight on the front axle (load) decreases
as weight is displaced from the front axle.
GAWR
20
Towed Load
Towing Equipment
Hitch Receiver
GAWR
GCWR
Insert Weight Ratings: Check Yes or No if within specifications.
It may be necessary to weigh both the tow
vehicle and towed load as an assembly to
ensure the GAWR has not been exceeded. It
is also possible to be within the rating of the
hitch receiver and yet exceed the GCWR.
Due to changes in weight, the motorhome
must be weighed in a loaded, ready for travel
condition that includes passengers, cargo and
liquids. Subtract the weight of the motorhome
in a loaded, ready to travel condition from the
GCWR to determine tow capacity. Whether
towing a vehicle or trailer, the load being
towed must be weighed to ensure the towed
weight, when added to the tow vehicle, will
not exceed the GCWR and the weight ratings
of each tow system component are equal to or
greater than the load being towed.
090512b
Tongue
Weight
TOW WEIGHT
Towing Weight Checklist
(Tongue Weight) ________
(Ball Mount) ______
(Tongue) _______
(Rated) ______
(Rated) ______
090512j
2016 Admiral
(Overall) ________ Yes
(Hitch Ball) ______ Yes
(Tow) ______ Yes
(After Hitching) ______ Yes
(After Hitching) ______ Yes
WARNING:
The motorhome and towed load must
be weighed after they are loaded for
travel to determine if actual weights
are within towing specification. Each
component of the towing system must
be rated equal to or greater than the
load being towed. Do not exceed the
Gross Combination Weight Rating.

Towed Vehicle Requirements

Vehicle manufacturers produce cars and
trucks that are designed to be capable of being
towed with all wheels down. Use caution
and note all limiting factors when selecting a
vehicle to tow (aka dingy). Things to consider
are battery drain on the tow vehicle electrical
system with the steering wheel unlocked,
can the transmission of the towed vehicle be
damaged with all wheels down and is the tow
vehicle too heavy as well as other concerns.
Before selecting a tow vehicle, consult the
tow vehicle manufacturer's instructions to
ensure the vehicle is approved to be towed
with all four wheels down. All aftermarket
products that modify the vehicle for towing
should also be approved by the vehicle
manufacturer.
Make sure the tow vehicle weight and
attaching hardware do not exceed the rating
of the hitch receiver. Note the hitch receiver
capacities (tongue and tow) listed on the
weight tag located on the hitch receiver.
No
No
No
No
No