Table of Contents
Advertisement
NHTSA Trailer Equipment Requirements
to your dealer to discuss the weighing methods needed
to capture the various weights related to the trailer. This
would include the weight empty or unloaded, weights per
axle, wheel, hitch or king-pin, and total weight.
Excessive
loads
and/or
overloading and, as a result, abnormal tire flexing occurs.
This situation can generate an excessive amount of heat
within the tire. Excessive heat may lead to tire failure. It is
the air pressure that enables a tire to support the load, so
proper inflation is critical. The proper air pressure may be
found on the certification / VIN label and/or on the Tire
Placard. This value should never exceed the maximum
cold inflation pressure stamped on the tire.
Trailers 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg) GVWR or Less
1. Locate the statement "The weight of cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs." on your vehi-
cle's placard.
2. This figure equals the available amount of cargo
and luggage load capacity.
3. Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight
may not safely exceed the available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity.
Trailers over 10,000 lbs (4,536 kg) GVWR
NOTE: These trailers are not required to have a tire
information placard on the vehicle.
4. Determine the empty weight of your trailer by
weighing the trailer using a public scale or other
means. This step does not have to be repeated.
5. Locate the GVWR of the trailer on your trailer's VIN
(Certification) label.
6. Subtract the empty weight of your trailer from the
GVWR stated on the VIN label. That weight is the
maximum available cargo capacity of the trailer
and may not be safely exceeded.
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit – Tow
Vehicle
1. Locate the statement "The combined weight of
occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbs." on your vehicle's placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver and
passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver and
passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
4. The resulting figure equals the available amount of
cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if
the "XXX" amount equals 1400 lbs. and there will
be five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the
amount of available cargo and luggage load capac-
ity is 650 lbs. (1400-750 (5x150) = 650 lbs.)
38
underinflation
cause
tire
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage and
cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That weight
may not safely exceed the available cargo and lug-
gage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load from
your trailer will be transferred to your vehicle. Con-
sult the tow vehicle's manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.
Glossary of Tire Terminology
Accessory weight means the combined weight (in excess
of those standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes,
power windows, power seats, radio, and heater, to the
extent that these items are available as factory-installed
equipment (whether installed or not).
Bead means the part of the tire that is made of steel
wires, wrapped or reinforced by ply cords and that is
shaped to fit the rim.
Bead separation means a breakdown of the bond
between components in the bead.
Bias ply tire means a pneumatic tire in which the ply
cords that extend to the beads are laid at alternate
angles substantially less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Carcass means the tire structure, except tread and
sidewall rubber which, when inflated, bears the load.
Chunking means the breaking away of pieces of the
tread or sidewall.
Cord means the strands forming the plies in the tire.
Cord separation means the parting of cords from
adjacent rubber compounds.
Cracking means any parting within the tread, sidewall, or
inner liner of the tire extending to cord material.
Curb weight means the weight of a motor vehicle with
standard equipment including the maximum capacity of
fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so equipped, air conditioning
and additional weight optional engine.
Cold inflation pressure means the tire pressure when the
vehicle hasn't been driven for at least three hours.
Extra load tire means a tire designed to operate at higher
loads
and
higher
inflation
corresponding standard tire.
Groove means the space between two adjacent tread
ribs.
Gross Axle Weight Rating or GAWR means the value
specified by the vehicle manufacturer as the load-
carrying capacity of a single axle system, as measure at
the tire-ground interfaces.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or GVWR means the value
specified by the manufacturer as the loaded weight of a
single vehicle.
Owner's Manual for Mobile Generator Sets
pressure
than
the
Advertisement
Table of Contents
