Outdoors RV Mountain Series Owner's Manual page 22

On the Road
1. Weigh the RV by itself. After driving the tow vehicle and RV onto the scale disconnect the RV
from the tow vehicle and move the tow vehicle off the scale. The measured weight of the loaded
RV must not exceed its GVWR. If the GVWR is exceeded, cargo or equipment items must be
removed.
2. Find the tongue weight. When the total RV weight is under the rated GVWR, you next
determine the king pin or tongue/coupler weight. Re-hitch the tow vehicle to the RV. Move the
RV forward until the tow vehicle is off the scales. Ensure the system is level. You do not need to
unhitch the tow vehicle for this weight. Record this weight and subtract it from the total weight
(GVWR) previously noted. This weight difference is the approximate pin or tongue weight.
3. Calculate the percentage of tongue weight. Divide the loaded pin or tongue weight by the total
loaded RV weight. Multiply this by 100. This result is the percentage of the total weight the pin
or tongue is carrying. You need to know this to properly load your RV. If the tongue weight
exceeds the proper range for your tow vehicle, shift some of the load rearward to arrive at the
proper balance. If the tongue weight is below the proper range move some of the load forward. If
you have to shift the load to get the proper pin or tongue weight, check to be sure that you do not
exceed the weight rating of the axles, tires, pin, tongue, or hitch.
With the RV attached to the tow vehicle each wheel position should be weighed separately to be sure
individual axles and tires are not overloaded. If an overload condition exists on any axle or wheel
position, RV cargo loading must be redistributed or removed.
If an overload situation is not corrected, tire or mechanical failures may occur. The individual wheel
positions (particularly the rear positions) on the towing vehicle should also be weighed for possible
overloading while the RV remains attached.
The following procedures are to be performed after establishing the above recommended hitch/axle
loading and with the RV and tow vehicle loaded with all supplies, passengers, and equipment.
To obtain individual tow vehicle axle weights, Gross weights and Gross Combined Vehicle
Weights (GVWR):
1. Drive onto scale. Take a reading with the tow vehicle front half approximately halfway onto the
scale. This reading must not exceed the tow vehicles' front GAWR.
2. The second reading will be with the tow vehicle fully onto the scale but with the RV axles off
scale. This reading must not exceed the tow vehicle GVWR.
3. Subtract the first reading from the second reading. The difference is the amount of weight on the
tow vehicles rear axle. This result must not exceed the tow vehicles' rear GAWR.
 Weight distributing hitches will change the weight balance of the RV
and tow vehicle axles. If equipped, it is recommended that the RV
and tow vehicle be re-weighed to ensure that all weight ratings are
not exceeded.
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