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On The Road
Towing
a
Vehicle or Trailer
("Towed Load or Towed Unit'')
.1'1
NOTE
1
Some states and provinces require brakes and safety
chains when towing vehicles. Consult the proper
authorities in the states or provinces through which
you will be traveling.
When you use your motor home to tow, remem-
ber that you must stop the towed load with your
motor home's brakes. This is critical on hills
and in the mountains where you may encounter
sharp curves and possibly irregular road surfaces.
Check your motor home Chassis Operator's/
Owner's Guide/Manual for the maximum
weight your motor home can pull and stop on
both level and steep roads. If the Chassis
Operator's/Owner's Guide/Manual does not
provide information on towing weight limits, do
not tow a load of more than 1000 pounds unless
the towed unit has a properly installed and oper-
ating supplement brake control system that
operates with the brakes on your motor home.
The supplemental brakes will NOT allow you to
tow more than the listed GCWR for your motor
home. If you cannot stop, you will crash.
You must not exceed the tire capacities or the
weight factors listed below if you expect to tow
something behind your motor home, either with
or without a dolly. The factors are:
• GCWR - Gross Combined Weight Rating
• GTW - Gross Towed Weight
• MTW - Maximum Tongue Weight
• GAWR - Gross Axle Weight Rating
The ratings for the above factors are all
listed on the Cargo Carrying Capacity label
posted inside the motor home.
• Tire Capacity
The tire capacity is dependent upon the
inflation pressure set at the load applied.
If you expect to tow with your motor home, there
are additional guidelines that you must follow:
05-2
• Do not use a load equalizing hitch
if
your
hitch head receiver is below 10,000 lbs.
capacity.
It
could cause structural damage
to the motor home frame components.
• Do not exceed Maximum Tongue Weight
as listed on the carrying capacity label.
Heavier tongue weights can change your
vehicle's handling and response, can cause
a vehicle to crash, and will restrict your
coverage under the Ownercare Warranty.
• Consult with your dealer or towing equip-
ment/trailer supplier to determine the cor-
rect type of hitch head assembly and
equipment you should use for towing and
leveling the load you intend to pull.
• Do not tow anything weighing more than
the GTW listed on the Cargo Carrying
Capacity label. Heavier towed loads can
exceed your chassis' ability to pull and stop
the load and cause a vehicle crash, da11Ulge
the motor home structure or drive train, and
restrict your coverage under the Fleetwood
or chassis 11Ulnufacturer's warranty.
Changing the trailer hitch will not increase
the tow capacity of the motor home.
• Consult the Chassis Operator's/Owner's
Guide/Manual, and U.S. state and
Canadian provincial laws for towing weight
limits and for guidelines for installing sup-
plemental braking systems that operate with
your motor home's brakes.
A.
WARNING
Do not exceed the rated load of the motor home, or
the rated load of any axle. Exceeding the GVWR,
GAWR, GTW or GCWR of your motor home can
cause handling problems, a vehicle crash, damage
your motor home and void your warranties.
The way your motor home handles and responds
will be affected by the way the towed unit is
loaded. If the tongue weight is too light in relation
to the GTW, handling and response will change
and your motor home will operate less safely.
Careful load planning and safe experimentation
with different loading patterns in what you are
towing can avoid this risk and make your driving
and towing experience safer and more enjoyable.
,I --
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