Vehicle Load Capacity Weighting - Fleetwood 1983 Southwind User Manual

4
CAUTION
EXCEEDING THE GAWR OR GVWR OF
YOUR MOTOR HOME CAN CAUSE UN-
DESIRABLE HANDLING CHARACTER-
ISTICS AND MAY CREAl"E A SAFETY
HAZARD. MODIFICATION OF YOUR
VEHICLE BY ADDITION OF RACKS NOT
SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO
CARRY ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT OR
VEHICLES IS NOT RECOMMENDED AND
MAY VOID YOUR WARRANTY.
VEHICLE LOAD CAPACITY WEIGHING
Your motor home is designed to carry the loads defin~d by
the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR) shown on the certification tag posted
on or near the left edge of the instrument panel. These ratings
are for fully-loaded vehicles including passengers and normal
belongings.
Periodically weigh the fully-loaded moto~ home at a pu~lic
scale to determine axle loads. The following procedure IS
suggested, although any method recommended by the scale
operator which correctly determines weight values is ac-
c·eptable. During all measurements, it is important that the
vehicle be kept as level as possible. .
1. Run only the front wheels into the scale platform
and obtain a reading. (This first value is the front
axle Gross Axle Weight.)
2. Next, place the entire vehicle (both axles) on the
scale and obtain a reading. (This second value is
Gross Vehicle Weight.)
3. Drive forward until only the rear axle is on the plat-
form and obtain a reading. (This third reading is
rear axle Gross Axle Weight.)
4. Compare reading 2 with the GVWR f?r y<:>ur ,:,ehicle.
If this reading exceeds the GVWR rating, It Will be
. necessary to reduce total vehicle load.
5. If reading 2 is less than the GVWR of your vehicle,
check readings 1 and 3 to verify that each is less than
the GAWR on the certification tag. 'If either exceeds
the GAWR for the axle, redistribute enough equip-
ment from front to back or back to front to ensure
that loads on front and rear axles are within the
required limit.
Check vehicle weight periodically to obtain optimum mileage
from tires and improve handling. Tires should always be
inflated as recommended in the Chassis Manufacturer's
Instructions. See your Chassis Operator's Manual.
•
Every pound of extra weight means extra
gasoline consumption. Don't carry any
more than you need.