Tire Pressure
The motorhome may weigh slightly heavier on one side. The heaviest wheel position (if applicable) on a
single axle will determine the inflation pressure for all tires on that axle due to weight transfer that occurs when
cornering. Improperly inflated tires can result in sudden tire failure (blowout). Cargo not properly balanced on
the suspension, can result in poor handling, over-stressed chassis components, overloaded wheel positions and/or
tires. How the motorhome is loaded will influence tire inflation pressure and load carried by each axle. This is
why each wheel position must be weighed. When the actual loaded weight of the motorhome and the weight on
each axle are unknown, follow the recommended tire inflation pressure(s) listed on the federal certification label.
NOTE:
When adjusting tire inflation pressure, each tire on any axle must be inflated to the same pressure.
The wheel position carrying the most weight will determine the tire inflation pressure for each tire of
that particular axle.
WARNING:
Improperly inflated or overloaded tires can cause a blowout. An overloaded axle can cause a
component failure of the suspension system. Tire blowouts or broken suspension components can lead
to loss of vehicle control resulting in property damage, personal injury or death.
NOTE:
Contact the tire manufacturer for further information concerning tire inflation pressure and other
tire concerns.
Occupant & Cargo Carrying Capacity:
Each motorhome, even of the same model year, floor plan and length, will weigh
different due to options and accessories. The GVWR limits the weight of the entire load
combination, regardless of the amount of weight of occupants, cargo, water, propane
and tongue weight. Weighing will determine the GVWR is not exceeded as this is
maximum allowable weight. However, Occupant & Cargo Carrying Capacity (OCCC)
weight is comprised of variables in occupants, cargo, fresh water and tongue weight.
While the OCCC is a guide to the maximum allowable weight in combinations of
occupants, cargo, water and tongue weight, the amount of weight in each of the categories (occupants, cargo,
and water and tongue weight) can be adjusted so one can offset another or reduced entirely to gain advantage
in GCWR. While maximum allowable weights are not to be exceeded, if one chooses to carry less water or no
water, that can allow an increase in payload of cargo or tongue weight, offsetting one for another and still under
maximum allowable weight of GVWR, GAWR, GCWR or OCCC.
Scales
Certified public scales are located in moving and storage lots,
farm supplies with grain elevators, gravel pits, recycling companies
and large commercial truck stops. To locate a nearby public scale,
check the yellow pages under Scales-Public or Weighers. Expect to
pay a small fee.
Three basic types of scales:
A large platform scale will allow the entire motorhome to fit on
the scale to read the gross vehicle weight in one scale recording.
A segmented platform scale is designed to weigh one axle at a
time.
A segmented platform scale per wheel position reads each
wheel position at a time.
020369b
Single Platform
Segmented Platform per axle.
Segmented Platform (Top View) per wheel position.
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