capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loading your vehicle will
provide maximum return of vehicle design performance. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the following terms for determining
your vehicle’s weight ratings, with or without a trailer, from the vehicle’s
Safety Certification Label and Tire Label:
Base Curb Weight
– is the weight of the vehicle including a full tank of
fuel and all standard equipment. It does not include passengers, cargo, or
optional equipment.
Vehicle Curb Weight
– is the weight of your new vehicle when you
picked it up from your dealer plus any aftermarket equipment.
Cargo Weight
– includes all weight added to the Base Curb Weight,
including cargo and optional equipment. When towing, trailer tongue load
or king pin weight is also part of cargo weight.
GAW (Gross Axle Weight)
– is the total weight placed on each axle
(front and rear) – including vehicle curb weight and all payload.
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
– is the maximum allowable
weight that can be carried by a single axle (front or rear).
These
numbers are shown on the Safety Compliance Certification Label
located on the driver’s door or B-Pillar. The total load on each
axle must never exceed its GAWR.
Exceeding the Safety Certification Label axle weight rating limits
could result in substandard vehicle handling or performance,
engine, transmission and/or structural damage, serious damage to the
vehicle, loss of control and personal injury.
Note:
For trailer towing information refer to
Trailer towing
found in
this chapter or the
RV and Trailer Towing Guide
provided by your
dealership.
REVIEW COPY
2005 Freestar
(win)
, Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
(own2002)
,
Market:
USA_English
(fus)
Tires, Wheels and Loading
209
