Born Free Motorcoach for completed vehicles is
also lower than the maximum tire pressures
established by the chassis and tire manufacturers.
The owner of a vehicle manufactured by Born Free
Motorcoach is responsible for determining the
optimal tire pressure to be used for their vehicle
-
dependent upon cargo weight and driving
conditions under which they operate the vehicle.
Overloading or under
-
inflating the tires can have
negative effects, including rapid tire wear, tire
failure, reduced handling capability, and dangerous
on
-
road breakdown. To determine the optimum tire
pressure for your motorhome refer to the air
pressure stamped on your tires and printed on the
Federal Certification Label.
Service and warranty
on the vehicle tires needs to be handled by the tire
store representing the specific brand installed on
your motorhome.
Vehicle Loading Tips
When loading heavy items, balance side to side and
front to rear; do not put heavy items all in one
compartment. After you have established what you
will load into the motorcoach, put your standard
load on the coach, fill it up with gas, water, and LP
and then get individual wheel weights (or at least
front and rear).
Trailer Towing
Whenever a motorcoach is used for towing, adhere
to the limitations listed below:
The towing hitch (Figure 6.1) on the Born Free
is a Class 3 Rated Hitch (500 pounds – tongue
weight / 5000
pounds towing
weight). Towed
vehicles and
trailers must not
exceed the hitch
ratings. The
electrical
connection for
towing is located
on the bumper
(Figure 6.2).
The Gross
Combined Weight
(GCW) must not
exceed the Gross
Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR).
Trailers weighing in excess of 1000 pounds
require trailer brakes.
Be aware that most states and Canadian
provinces require braking systems on tow
vehicles. This requirement is for both trailers
and drivable vehicles.
Gross Combined Weight (GCW — tongue weight
plus motorcoach weight) equals the total weight of
a fully equipped motorcoach and trailer with cargo,
driver, passengers, fluids, etc.
Do not restrict radiator airflow by mounting a front
-
mount spare tire, trail bikes, etc. to the front of the
motorcoach.
C A U T I O N: Installation of a frame
-
type
equalization hitch on a motorcoach is not
recommended
.
Towing & Tips
The OEM chassis for your motorcoach is equipped
with brakes for braking the chassis only. It is not
intended as a braking system for a towed vehicle.
For safe towing operation, it is recommended that
all towed vehicles be equipped with a separate
functional braking system. You should refer to
your chassis owner’s manual and trailer towing
guide for additional information and you should
always follow guidelines for safe operation. If your
towed vehicle is equipped with an automatic
transmission, your vehicle dealer or manufacturer
should be able to provide you with specific towing
requirements.
When you tow a vehicle with all four wheels down,
you should consult with your towed vehicle dealer
or manufacturer prior to towing. Not all vehicles
can be towed in this manner.
It is the responsibility of the motorcoach owner,
when they tow another vehicle, to do it in a safe,
responsible, and legally approved manner. Born
Free Motorcoach can accept no responsibility for
the owner’s negligence or disregard for state or
federal laws.
When towing . . .
Figure 6.2
Figure 6.1
17
