Jayco 2009 Melbourne, Owner'S Manual, Page: 27 / 102

SECTION 3
PRE-TRAVEL INFORMATION
23
The compartment doors under the slideout(s)
may have a metal cable with an end loop that
is designed to fit over the top portion of the
compartment door gas struts. The
compartment door cable allows you to limit
the degree of compartment door swing. When
the slideout room(s) is retracted, you may
remove the compartment door cables for full
compartment door swing.
Make sure all compartment door cables are
attached to the compartment door gas struts
before extending the slideout.
U
SING
T
HE
R
EAR
H
ITCH
The motorhome is designed primarily as a
recreation vehicle. Any towing will affect
vehicle handling, durability and fuel economy.
Exceeding any of the listed weight ratings will
result in unacceptable overall vehicle
performance. Your safety and satisfaction
require proper use of correct equipment.
The factory installed towing hitch on this
vehicle is capable of pulling 8,000 lbs. of load
(maximum), however the vertical (tongue)
weight will vary according to the towed
vehicle (toad). A hitch bar of appropriate
strength and steel should be selected to
match the towing receptor. Always use safety
chains between the motorhome and the
towed trailer or vehicle (toad). Cross the
chains under the tongue and allow for slack
when turning corners. Connect the safety
chains to the vehicle frame or hook retainers.
Never attach the safety chains to the bumper.
Before descending a steep or long grade
when towing a trailer or vehicle (toad), reduce
speed and shift the motorhome into a lower
gear to control vehicle speed. Avoid frequent
or prolonged brake application, which can
cause overheating or brake failure. Do not
remove the following label:
Fig. 3.4 Hitch label
Maintenance
Keep the hitch clean along with your general
frame maintenance. Sand, prime and paint if
rust if present.
‰
At the beginning of the season and
monthly or thereafter, clean the inside of
the receiver tube with a wire brush and
spray with a silicone spray.
‰
Always remove the utility mount from the
receiver when it is not in use. This will
help prevent the utility mount from rusting
to the tube.
Your motorhome chassis breaking
system is rated for operation at GVWR,
NOT GCWR.
Any trailer or vehicle (toad)
being towed by your motorhome must
have adequate brakes as required by all
state (or province) and local regulations for
towing with your motorhome including
areas you may be traveling through.
In addition, a separate supplemental
braking system must be installed if the
towed trailer or vehicle (toad) meets or
exceeds the minimum weight determined
by the chassis manufacturer (this minimum
weight rating will vary by chassis and
chassis manufacturer).
Contact your dealer for assistance in
determining whether a separate braking
system is recommended for your towing
and traveling safety. Failure to follow these
instructions will create a safety hazard and
may result in an accident.
Total weight of your motorhome and any
trailer or vehicle (toad) towed by it must
not exceed the GCWR. Do not assume
that you can tow a vehicle that happens to
be within the capacity of the hitch. By
doing so, you may exceed the total GCWR
of the motorhome.