Fleetwood Southwind Owner's Manual page 11

The maximum amount of weight your
motor home can pull or stop is determined
by the manufacturer of the chassis on
which your motor home is built. Check the
Chassis Operator's/Owner's Guide/
Manual provided by the motor home
chassis manufacturer for the limits on the
weight you can tow.
NOTE
3
In most cases the GCWR of the chassis and the fin-
ished motor home are the same. In some cases, due
to the equipped hitch receiver, the GCWR may be
reduced. Please refer to the Federal Certification Tag
posted in your motor home for the rated GCWR.
If the Chassis Operator's/Owner's Guide/
Manual equipped with your motor home
does not provide specific information
on towing weight limits, it is strongly
recommended that the towed vehicle or
trailer be equipped with a properly installed
and operating supplemental brake control
system that operates in combination with
the brakes on your motor home.
• You may be able to increase the weight of
any towed load by properly installing on
the towed load a supplemental brake con-
trol system that operates with your motor
home's braking system. Even with addi-
tional brakes, you cannot tow more than
the GTW or GCWR for the chassis under
your motor home. Again, check the Chassis
Operator's/Owner's Guide/Manual.
• You CANNOT increase the towed weight
limit by changing the size of your hitch.
• Properly load what you tow to avoid a
vehicle crash.
• Do not attempt to tow something that is
too heavy for your chassis.
• When driving in mountainous areas,
look for and obey highway signs con-
cerning grades and curves. Your driving
experience when pulling and stopping a
towed unit on mountain roads will be very
different from what you experience on
level ground.
• State laws in the United States and pro-
vincial laws in Canada vary concerning
towing equipment requirements and limits.
Check the laws in the areas where you
anticipate traveling.
Alterations to Your Motor Home
Many motor home owners like to add a
personal touch to their motor home. But
there is a difference between changing
how your motor home looks versus how
it handles or responds to driver inputs. If
you expect to make any type of alteration
to your motor home, consult a professional
who understands the correct way to do
the alteration and how the alteration will
change or affect the stability, handling,
vehicle response, and overall performance
and safety of your motor home. An
improper alteration that affects vehicle
handling or response can cause a vehicle
crash, and any improper alteration to the
electrical or Propane systems can cause a
fire and can endanger your motor home
and its occupants . Fleetwood, your chassis
and other manufacturers stand behind the
motor home as delivered – NOT as altered
by someone else.
Warning Devices
Your motor home is equipped with warn-
ing devices. Check them before a trip
for proper operation. A disabled warning
device cannot warn you or vehicle occu-
pants of a life-threatening danger. Keep
them working and respond to them quickly.
Examples of These Devices Include:
• Carbon Monoxide Detector/Alarm
• Propane Detector/Alarm
• Smoke Detector/Alarm
• Seat Belt Warnings
• Hazard Flashers
Introduction
01-5