Jayco SENECA, Owner'S Manual

Page: 26 / 93

SECTION 3
PRE-TRAVEL INFORMATION
U
SING
T
HE
R
EAR
H
ITCH
The motor home 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 motor
home 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, reduce speed
and shift the motor home 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. 3.1 Towing and braking label
By definition the GCWR is “the maximum total
weight rating allowed for a vehicle and any
attachment, such as a trailer or towed vehicle.
To determine the total allowable weight for a
towed item, subtract the GVWR from the
GCWR.
In addition, a separate supplemental braking
system must be installed if the towed trailer or
vehicle meets or exceeds the minimum weight
determined by the chassis manufacturer (this
minimum weight rating will vary by chassis
and chassis manufacturer).
Total weight of your motor home and
any trailer or vehicle towed by it must
not
exceed the GCWR . Do not assume
that you can tow a RV that happens to be
within the capacity of the tow vehicle hitch.
By doing so, you may exceed the total
GCWR of the motor home.
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. Weight
labels are posted inside you motor home
so you can make a decision before you
buy about how much cargo capacity is
important for you personally.
The total weight of your motor home
(including cargo, passengers, fluids,
etc.) in addition to the vertical (tongue)
weight must not exceed the GVWR
and/or any GAWR.
Once again, do not
assume that you can tow a trailer or
vehicle that happens to be within the
vertical (tongue) weight capacity of the
hitch. By doing so, you may exceed the
GVWR and/or GAWR of the motor home.
Your motor home chassis breaking
system is rated for operation at GVWR,
NOT GCWR
. Any trailer or vehicle being
towed by your motor home must have
adequate brakes as required by all state
(or province) and local regulations for
towing with your motor home, including
areas you may be traveling through.
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