Loading Tips; Trailer Hitches And Towing; Towing Automobiles - Fleetwood Jamboree 1985 Owner's Manual

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JACKS, AWNINGS, ROOF PODS, ETC., ARE IN-
STALLED AFTER THE MOTOR HOME LEAVES
THE FACTORY, THE WEIGHT OF THESE ITEMS
MUST BE SUBTRACTED FROM THE TOTAL OF
THE PASSENGER AND CARGO CARRYING
CAPACITIES. IF YOU TOW A TRAILER, THE
TONGUE WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER MUST BE
SUBTRACTED FROM THE TOTAL OF THE PAS-
SENGER AND CARGO CARRYING CAPACITIES.
WARNING: EXCEEDING THE GAWR OR GVWR
OF YOUR MOTOR HOME CAN CAUSE UNDE-
SIRABLE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS AND
MAY CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD. MODIFICA-
TION OF YOUR VEHICLE BY ADDITION OF
RACKS NOT SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFAC-
TURER TO CARRY ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT
OR VEHICLES IS NOT RECOMMENDED, MAY
CREATE A SAFETY HAZARD, AND MAY VOID
YOUR WARRANTY.
LOADING TIPS
After you have determined how much weight you
can safely carry and selected those items to make
up that weight, make a list and keep it for future
reference. Load the motor home and distribute the
load so that you get proper weight on the axles.
Don't load heavy items in upper cabinets. Secure
and brace items so they won't move during travel,
thereby shifting motor home load. Do not load
heavy items near either end of the motor home or
on the rear bumper.
WARNING: DO NOT INSTALL ANY TYPE OF
WEIGHT CARRYING RACK OR FRAME TO THE
REAR BUMPER OR ANY CHASSIS OR BODY
COMPONENT OF THE MOTOR HOME. DAM-
AGE TO THE MOTOR HOME BODY AND UN-
STABLE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS MAY
RESULT.
Make a loading diagram of your properly loaded
motor home. It will help you locate where specific
items are stored, and will help speed the loading
process. Store emergency items in a readily accessi-
ble location. Include a fire extinguisher, tools, jack.
first-aid kit; rain gear, flashlight, highway warning
devices, and an electric cord with light.
WARNING: DO NOT STORE OR CARRY LP GAS
CONTAINERS, GASOLINE, OR OTHER FLAM-
MABLE LIQUIDS INSIDE YOUR MOTOR HOME.
TRAILER HITCHES AND TOWING
If you expect to pull a trailer with your motor
home, please use these guidelines when choosing
a hitch and trailer:
• Hitch classification: Class II
5
• Limit the vertical hitch load (tongue weight of
trailer) to a maximum of 250 pounds. Heavier
vertical hitch loads can cause damage to your
motor home rear frame and body, cause un-
stable driving and handling characteristics,
and may restrict your rights under the Owner-
care warranty.
• Do not tow a trailer weighing more than 3500
pounds, or more than recommended by the
chassis manufacturer, whichever is less.
Heavier trailers can cause damage to the
motor home structure or drive train, cause un-
stable driving or handling characteristics, or
restrict your rights under the Ownercare war-
ranty.
• Check the following chart to determine the
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of
the motor home chassis. The GCWR is the
total weight of the motor home and trailer.
Chassis Axle
Manufacturer Engine Ratio
GCWR
Chevrolet
5.7 (350) gas
4.10 12,500
Chevrolet
6.2 (379) diesel
4.10 12,500
Ford
5.8 (351) gas
4.10
12,500
Ford 6.9 (420) diesel 4.10
15,500
Ford
7.5 (460) gas 4.10
17,250
• Alternate gear ratios may be retrofitted for
special towing needs. Contact your local chas-
sis manufacturer dealer for chassis recom-
mendations. Exceeding these GCWR's may
cause damage to your motor home drive train
or chassis, unstable driving and handling
characteristics, and may void your warranty.
• Weigh your motor home fully loaded with
driver, passengers, cargo, and the fully loaded
trailer attached. Do not exceed the Gross Axle
Weight Rating (GAWR) of any axle, and do
not exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) of either the motor home, the trailer,
or the Gross Combined Weight Rating
(GCWR) of the motor home. If any of these
ratings are exceeded, weight must be elimi-
nated or shifted until scale weights are equal
to or less than ratings.
Towing Automobiles
If you plan to tow an automobile with your motor
home, the tongue weight must not exceed 250
pounds. The Gross Combined Weight must not ex-
ceed the GCWR listed on the chart.
Towing devices other than wheeled dollies that
raise the front or rear wheels of the vehicle in tow
off the ground create tongue weights in excess of
the 250 pounds maximum, and must not be used.