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WARNING
An improperly loaded truck and camper
can cause imbalance and adverse vehicle
handling. This can result in loss of
control, serious injury or death.
CAUTION
Overtightened turnbuckles or tie downs
may result in damage to your camper.
20
Truck Campers • nucamprv.com
CARRYING CARGO
When loading this camper, store heavy gear first, keeping it on or close
to the camper floor. Place heavy things far enough forward to keep the
loaded camper's center of gravity within the zone recommended by the
truck manufacturer. Store only light objects on high shelves. Distribute
weight to obtain even side-to-side balance of the loaded vehicle. Secure
loose items to prevent weight shifts that could affect the balance of your
vehicle. When the truck-camper is loaded, drive to a scale and weigh on
the front and on the rear wheels separately to determine axle loads. The
load on an axle should not exceed its gross axle weight rating (GAWR). The
total of the axle loads should not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR). These weight ratings are given on the vehicle certification label
that is located on the left side of the vehicle, normally on the dash panel,
hinge pillar, door latch post, or door edge next to the driver on trucks
manufactured on or after January 1, 1972. If weight ratings are exceeded,
move, or remove items to bring all weights below the ratings.
Important information pertaining to loading your camper.
•
Installed options, personal cargo, water, and fuel will affect your
campers center of gravity. Cargo must be evenly distributed to
properly balance the camper from front to back and side to side.
•
An overloaded camper is often due to excessive cargo. The
temptation to fill every available space is common. You must load
by weight, not by volume.
•
You may have more free space for personal belongings if you wait to
fill the water tanks until you arrive at the camp site. Water weighs
8.3 lbs. per gallon.
CAMPER LOADING
To minimize safety risks while loading or unloading your camper, the
following must be observed:
•
Keep children and animals away from the area when raising or
lowering the camper.
•
Only store your camper on level ground.
•
Be sure all tie-down devices and electrical devices are disconnected
from the vehicle before loading.
•
Never allow the camper to be occupied while it is being loaded or
unloaded.
•
Avoid putting any part of your body under the camper during the
procedure.
•
Do not tilt the camper sideways while raising it on the jacks. The
jacks could buckle.
•
Always load and unload camper on firm level ground.
•
Use caution when loading and unloading the camper on a windy
day. The amount of wind that is dangerous depends on your
exposure and the weight of the camper. It is best to avoid loading
on a windy day.
•
Always keep the front higher than the rear. Before loading the
camper onto the truck, be sure to attach the tie-downs to the truck.
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