10
GASOLINE TANK SAFETY
WARNING: MODERN FUEL SYSTEMS MAY BUILD UP VAPOR PRESSURE WITHIN THE GASOLINE
TANK AS THE GASOLINE WARMS DURING VEHICLE USE AND DURING HOT WEATHER. UNDER
CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE SUDDEN RELEASE OF THIS BUILT-UP PRESSURE BY THE REMOVAL OF
THE GASOLINE CAP CAN SPRAY GASOLINE FROM THE FILLER OPENING, CREATING A POTENTIAL
HAZARD. WHEN REMOVING THE GASOLINE FILLER CAP, ROTATE IT SLOWLY TO ALLOW ANY
INTERNAL PRESSURE TO BE SLOWLY RELEASED. AFTER THE “WHOOSH” OF THE RELEASED
PRESSURE PASSES, COMPLETELY REMOVE THE CAP. ALWAYS REPLACE A LOST GAS CAP WITH A
CAP OF THE SAME DESIGN TO FORESTALL ANY ADDED PROBLEMS. NEVER MODIFY OR REMOVE
YOUR VEHICLES GAS TANK OR ATTACHES HOSES.
VEHICLE LOADING
CARRYING CAPACITY
During the design and development of our motor homes, the number and size of storage compartments and the
liquid tank capacities are maximized for value and convenience. If the motor home operator fills all liquid tanks to
capacity, fills all storage compartments and cupboards to maximum volume and fills all available seat belt positions
with passengers, the motor home will probably be overloaded. According to National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration figures, an average vehicle occupant weighs 154 pounds, each gallon of gasoline weighs six (6)
pounds, a gallon of diesel fuel weighs 7.1 pounds and each gallon of water weighs over eight (8) pounds. The
operator is responsible for analyzing the conditions in which the motor home will be utilized for each trip, and ensuring
the vehicle is not overloaded. Also be careful of the weight distribution of cargo placed in the vehicle or the exterior
compartments. While the chassis and motor home is designed to sustain a certain amount of side to side or front to
rear weight differences, too much cargo placed at the rear or on either side will have an effect on vehicle handling.
The number of passengers and placement of cargo will affect the amount of water and cargo that you can carry. The
passenger capacity will vary depending on whether the vehicle is being used for overnight camping or day use. A
smaller passenger capacity for camping will provide a reasonable cargo capacity for trips taking more than one day.
The passenger capacity for day use can be larger providing that less cargo is carried for trips and activities not
involving overnight stays. It may be necessary to reduce the amount of water carried and unload some cargo items
normally carried for camping in order to provide carrying capacity for the additional one (1) day use passengers.
Thoughtful consideration of the weight placed in the motor home can yield important benefits:
•
Maximum flexibility in the use of the liberal storage facilities provided in the motor home;
•
Improved handling characteristics and ride comfort;
•
Better fuel mileage and reduced tire wear.
Periodically reweigh your motor home. Different traveling configurations may change your loading and weight
pattern.
WARNING: DO NOT EXCEED THE RATED LOAD OF THE MOTOR HOME OR THE RATED LOAD OF ANY
AXLE!
NOTE: THE CARRYING CAPACITY OF YOUR MOTOR HOME CAN BE DETERMINED BY WEIGHING, AS
SHOWN IN FIG. 3 ON PAGE 12. IF YOU TOW A TRAILER, THE TONGUE WEIGHT OF THE TRAILER MUST BE
SUBTRACTED FROM THE TOTAL OF THE PASSENGER AND CARGO CARRYING CAPACITIES.
Notice: Empty all holding tanks before filling fresh water tank otherwise you will limit cargo and/or passenger
capacity. Normally, campgrounds supply free dump stations which can be utilized.
Summary of Contents for Indiana
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