Weighing The Motorhome - Tiffin Motorhomes 2015 Allegro Owner's Manual

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Maintaining correct tire pressure for each loaded wheel position on the motorhome is critically im-
portant and must be a part of regular vehicle maintenance.
Tire Maximum Load Rating
Federal law requires that the maximum load rating be molded into the sidewall of the tire. If you
look at a tire sidewall, you may see some "typical" information, such as:
Max. Load Single 3640 Lbs at 85 psi cold
Max. Load Dual 3415 Lbs at 85 psi cold
The maximum load allowed for the size tire and load rating and the minimum cold air-inflation
pressure needed to carry that stated maximum load are noted on the tire. Using less air pressure
would reduce the load-carrying capacity of the tire.
e amount of air pressure you need depends on the weight of the fully loaded motorhome. You
cannot determine the correct air-in ation pressure, unless you know the actual weights of the
motorhome.

Weighing the Motorhome

Earlier, in Chapter 1, the procedures for weighing the motorhome were presented. These procedures
provided the weighing of a "non-loaded" (i.e., not stocked with the possessions and provisions the
user would normally have onboard for travel) motorhome. Obviously, any additional weight stored
onboard (inside and underneath) the motorhome will contribute to the overall weight of the moto-
rhome.
If not stored uniformly throughout the motorhome, additional weight of the possessions and provi-
sions of the motorhome user will load each axle and each tire differently (front-to-rear and side-to-
side distribution of that additional weight). Accordingly, it is necessary to weigh the motorhome
fully loaded as the user would have it for travel. Moreover, it is necessary to weigh each tire
position individually.
Overloading the motorhome can produce problems with the tires, wheels, springs, brakes, drive
train, and other motorhome assemblies. In addition, an overloaded motorhome uses more fuel,
is more difficult to handle properly, and can lead to driver fatigue more quickly. In a worst-case
condition, if any component should fail, this could result in loss of control of the motorhome and
subsequent damage.
In certain states, the Highway Patrol routinely weighs motorhomes to check for overloaded axle
weights. Therefore, there are many good reasons for assuring that the motorhome is properly loaded
and not overloaded—this can be accomplished through a proper
weighing of the fully loaded motorhome.
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