Lance 1130, Owner'S Manual

Page: 16 / 132

16
Unsafe Weight and Load Distribution
Proper loading of your trailer is essential for your
safety. Tire, wheel, axle or structural failure can be
caused by overloading.
WARNING
An overloaded trailer can result in failure
or in loss of control of the trailer, leading to
death or serious injury.
Never load a trailer so that the weight on any
tire exceeds its rating.
Never exceed the trailer Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating (GVWR).
Never exceed an axle Gross Axle Weight
Rating (GAWR).
Improper front / rear load distribution can lead to
poor trailer sway stability or poor tow vehicle
handling. Poor trailer sway stability results from
tongue weights that are too low, and poor tow vehicle
stability results from tongue weights that are too high.
The hitch weight of a loaded trailer (including
cargo) should be between 10-15% of the total
weight of the trailer on a bumper pull trailer.
The hitch weight of a loaded trailer (including
cargo) should be between 20-25% of the total
weight of the trailer on a 5th wheel trailer.
Uneven left/right load distribution can cause tire,
wheel, axle or structural failure. Be sure your trailer
is evenly loaded left / right. Towing stability also
depends on keeping the center of gravity as low as
possible.
WARNING
An improperly distributed load can result in
loss of control of the trailer, and can lead to
death or serious injury.
Proper tongue weight is essential for stable
trailer handling.
Distribute the load front to rear to provide
proper tongue weight.
Distribute the load evenly, right and left, to
avoid tire overload.
Keeping the center of gravity low and
centered is essential to minimize the risk
of tip-over.
Shifting Cargo
Since the trailer “ride” can be bumpy and rough, you
must secure your cargo so that it does not shift while
the trailer is being towed.
WARNING
A shifting load can result in failure, or to loss
of control of the trailer, and can lead to death
or serious injury.
You must secure all loads to prevent the load
from shifting while trailering.
DANGER
You can die or be brain damaged by Carbon
Monoxide.
Do not operate a generator, portable grills,
portable heaters, portable lanterns or
portable stoves inside the trailer.
WARNING
Never transport people inside your Lance
Trailer. Besides putting their lives at risk, the
transport of people may be illegal.
WARNING
Your Lance Trailer is not capable of safely
transporting flammable, explosive, poison-
ous or other dangerous materials.
Exceptions:
• Fuel in the tanks of vehicles that are being
hauled.
• Fuel stored in proper containers used in
trailer living quarters for cooking.
• Fuel stored in the tank of an onboard
generator.