Heartland 2014 Bighorn, Owner'S Manual

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27 Home is where your heart is...
Loading Instructions
Whether you start out for a weekend jaunt or a longer
trip, the first thing you are going to do is load such items
as food, clothing, bedding and recreational equipment.
As you become experienced in RV living, you will learn
what is necessary and what merely takes up storage
space.
NOTICE
EMPTY ALL HOLDING TANKS BEFORE FILLING FRESH WATER TANK;
OTHERWISE YOU WILL LIMIT CARGO CAPACITY. MOST CAMPGROUNDS
SUPPLY DUMP STATIONS WHICH CAN BE UTILIZED.
Loading Tips
After you have determined how much weight you can
safely carry and selected those items to make up that
weight, make a list and keep it for future reference.
Load the RV and distribute the load so that you get
proper weight on the axles and hitch. Do not load upper
cabinets with heavy items which can shift or fall during
transit. Secure and brace items so they won’t move
during travel, thereby shifting the load in the RV. Do not
load heavy items near either end of the RV or on the
rear bumper. Adjust cargo storage to keep the side to
side wheel loads as equal as possible. Carry only as
much water as needed for travel use or to balance the
load. Always empty your waste water and sewage
holding tanks before traveling.
Make a loading diagram of your properly loaded RV. It
will help you locate where specific items are stored and
will help speed the loading process. Store emergency
items in a readily accessible location. Include tools, first-
aid kit, rain gear, flashlight, highway warning devices,
and an electric cord or light.
All items must be considered for their weight and stored
according to how heavy they are. Heavy items should
be placed close to the floor and in the center of the
vehicle. DON’T FORGET TO INCLUDE THE ITEMS
YOU PURCHASE ON YOUR TRIP.
Luggage and similar cargo carried inside the vehicle
must be secured to prevent possible damage in the
case of a sudden stop or accident.
The amount and placement of cargo will also affect the
amount of water and LP gas that you can carry. Water
weighs 8.3 pounds per gallon and propane weighs
4.2 pounds per gallon. Periodically reweigh your unit.
Different traveling configurations may change your
loading and weight pattern.
Traveling
Towing – A good way to practice towing is to choose a
large parking lot (where it is permissible).
Easing to a stop and starting smoothly saves wear
and tear on your tow vehicle, saves gas, and prevents
damage to the hitch and items stowed in the trailer.
Remember, when towing the trailer, always maintain at
least three cars and a trailer (approximately 85 ft) length
space between you and the car in front of you for every
10 miles of speed that you are traveling. This should
give you ample time to stop in case of emergency.
As you drive, try to anticipate problems that may occur
and prepare for them, even though they may never
happen. Anticipate dips, gutters and depressions in the
street, slowing down well in advance, as these are the
hardest jolts of any kind on your tow vehicle, your hitch,
your trailer and items stored in your trailer. Take dips
and bumps slowly and be certain that the trailer wheels
have passed the point before accelerating. Cross
railroad tracks slowly. Always release your brakes
before crossing. On long grades, shift into a lower gear
(or lower range, if you have automatic transmission)
before your engine labors.
When going downhill, use the same procedure as going
uphill well in advance; the compression of your tow
vehicle’s engine will help to slow your whole rig safely.
Avoid conditions that require excessive and prolonged
use of your brakes. Apply and release brakes at short
intervals to give them a chance to cool.
Controlling Sway or Fishtailing
Sway or fishtailing is the sideways action of a trailer
caused by external forces. It is common for travel
trailers to sway in response to strong winds or
crosswinds or when passed by or passing a semi-
tractor and trailer or driving downhill.
WARNING
EXCESSIVE SWAY OR FISHTAILING OF YOUR TRAVEL TRAILER
CAN LEAD TO THE ROLLOVER OF THE TRAILER AND TOW VEHICLE.
SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH CAN OCCUR. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT
YOU READ AND UNDERSTAND THE INFORMATION IN THIS SECTION.
Sway or fishtailing of your recreation vehicle can be
controlled and is primarily impacted by four factors:
• Equipment
• Tongue weight
• Driving
• Corrective measures