14
In addition to causing premature wear, overloading can cause problems in the area of handling characteristics. An
overloaded vehicle will take longer (time and distance) to stop in an emergency. Overloading can also cause added
wear to components such as tires, wheel bearings, transmission and engine. Overloading can also cause overheating
it in some instances.
The solution? Stay on top of your vehicle weight situation at all times. Know where you stand when it comes to the
GVWR, GAWR and GCWR.
VEHICLE OR TRAILER TOWING
Prior to towing any vehicle or trailer behind your motor home, consult your chassis owner’s manual towing guide and
refer to the GCWR listed in your motor home (see FIG. 2). Determine what type of special equipment is needed to tow
safely with your motor home. Sway control devices, weight distribution hitches and trailer brakes are required for
towing any trailer weighing over 1000 pounds or with a tongue weight of more than 150 pounds.
Be sure that your vehicle’s GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT RATING (GCWR) has a rating capable of towing your
vehicle or loaded trailer while your motor home is loaded.
WARNING: DO NOT EXCEED THE TOW RATING OF THE HITCH INSTALLED ON YOUR MOTOR HOME.
WARNING: DO NOT REPLACE THE OEM HITCH WITH A HIGHER TOW RATED HITCH! THE HITCH
INSTALLED REPRESENTS THE MAXIMUM ALLOWED TO BE TOWED BY THIS VEHICLE. TOWING
WEIGHTS IN EXCESS OF THIS VEHICLES LIMITATION CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, POSSIBLY
CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH.
IMPORTANT: The towing vehicle’s braking system is rated for the operation at GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating), NOT at GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating). Towing capacity may vary by chassis model, floor plan,
options, and loading of vehicle. This may result is a towing capacity which is less than the maximum capacity of the
hitch. Do not exceed the vehicle’s GCWR or the hitch rating. A separate functioning brake system is required for any
towed vehicle or trailer weighting more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg) when fully loaded.
VEHICLE WEIGHT INFORMATION LABEL
All GULF STREAM vehicles have a weight information label posted inside the kitchen cupboard (See Fig. 2). Please
refer to this label to see the shipping weight of your vehicle and the net carrying capacity of your water tank. This label
also contains the GULF STREAM designated GCWR. Please note that the GULF STREAM GCWR may differ from
the chassis designated GCWR, and that the lower of the two must be followed.
The vehicle weight information label also contains the net carrying capacity. This is the maximum weight designated
by GULF STREAM that can be utilized for cargo and passengers. Any addition of accessories by you or the dealer
reduces this amount proportionally with the weight of added accessories.
TIRES
The tires installed on your vehicle have been pre-selected as the proper size and weight by the chassis manufacturer
for the type and weight of the coach built. The Federal ID tag (Fig. 1) located inside the coach will show the proper tire
size for your coach and the recommended air pressures. When replacing tires, make sure that those guidelines are
followed.
TIRE MARKINGS
Sample tire size: LT225/75 R 16 E
•
LT reflects the “Light Truck” usage. Light truck tires are used on anything from compact pickups to class A motor
homes.
Summary of Contents for Indiana
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