Jayco Melbourne 2011, Owner'S Manual

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SECTION 3
PRE-TRAVEL INFORMATION
Your RV's load capacity is designated by
weight, not by volume, so you cannot
necessarily use all available space when
loading the vehicle. Do not exceed your
GVWR and ensure you are loading the
vehicle as evenly as you can for the best
possible handling. Ensure heavy items are
secured so they do not shift during travel.
The actual weight of the vehicle, passengers,
all options, liquids, the hitch weight of your
towed vehicle and your personal cargo is
important for you to know so you do not
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) of the motorhome.
The volume of space available for storage
may exceed the amount of available cargo
capacity. Large storage compartments have
been designed to accommodate normal
camping items, such as lawn chairs, portable
grill, sporting goods (fishing poles, golf clubs),
which are bulky, but not necessarily heavy.
Distribute cargo side-to-side so the weight on
each tire does not exceed one-half of the
GAWR for either axle. For traveling safety, it
is important to make sure any tie down straps
(if so equipped) on appliances or furniture are
secured.
E
XTERIOR
C
OMPARTMENTS
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
Never load the RV in excess of the GAWR
for either axle. Overloading your RV may
result in adverse handling characteristics
and damage to the chassis.
Store items in areas designated for
storage. Do not store anything in the areas
reserved for the converter, electrical panels
or the furnace or water heater, etc.
DO NOT EXCEED YOUR GVWR! This
means you should weigh your RV as
loaded for your normal travel to determine
the actual weight. If you exceed the
GVWR, you
MUST remove items from the
RV, or drain liquids, then re-weigh the
vehicle to ensure you have achieved a
safe weight. Do not travel with full
grey/black holding tanks. This not only
wastes gas but, depending upon the
location of the grey or black holding tanks,
can affect handling characteristics.
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