Lance 1130 Owner'S Manual Download Page 38

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GAWR:

The Gross Axle Weight Rating is the maxi-

mum gross weight that an axle can support. It is the
lowest of axle, wheel, or tire rating. Sometimes the
tire or wheel rating is lower than the axle manufactur-
ers rating, and will then determine GAWR.

GVWR:

The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating is the

maximum allowable gross weight of the trailer and its
contents. The gross weight of the trailer includes the
weight of the trailer and all of the items within it (such
as cargo, water, food and other supplies). GVWR is
sometimes referred to as GTW (Gross Trailer Weight),
or MGTW (Maximum Gross Trailer Weight). GVWR,
GTW and MGTW are all the same rating.

The sum total of the GAWR for all trailer axles may
be less than the GVWR for the trailer, because some
of the trailer load is carried by the tow vehicle, rather
than by the trailer axle(s).

The total weight of the

cargo and trailer must not exceed the GVWR, and
the load on an axle must not exceed its GAWR.

PSIC:

The “pounds per square inch-cold” is the tire

pressure (Kilopascals / Pounds per Square Inch)
measured when Cold.

VIN:

The Vehicle Identification Number.

VEHICLE TYPE:

Trailer plus the model number of the

trailer.

Certification Statement:

“This trailer meets all the

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in effect on
the date of manufacture shown above.”

There are two additional weights that are not pro-
vided on the Certification (VIN) tag that are important,
and that should be put somewhere on the trailer.
These are the “empty weight” and “maximum cargo
weight”.

The “empty weight” is sometimes put on the Manu-
facturer’s Certificate of Origin (Title) but may not be
accurate for your particular trailer, due to accessories,
optional equipment, etc. The best way to determine
empty weight is to weigh the entire trailer on a “Certi-
fied” scale at a truck stop. This requires detaching the
trailer and leaving the entire trailer on the scale. Fur-
thermore, it is desirable to weigh the tongue weight.
This can be done by re-attaching the trailer to the tow
vehicle, after getting the empty weight, and then just
weighing the trailer axles. Subtracting the axle weight
from the empty weight gives you the tongue weight.

Knowing the empty weight now allows you to calcu-
late the “maximum cargo weight”. Simply subtract the
empty weight from the GVWR shown on the Certifica-
tion / VIN tag.

While you’re at the scale it is also a good idea to
weigh the towing vehicle, with driver, in the typical
towing scenario. This will provide you with the total
“combination vehicle weight”, which can then be
compared to the allowable Gross Combined Weight
Rating (GCWR) provided by the tow vehicle manufac-
turer, as discussed below.

Tow Vehicle

When equipping a new vehicle or an older vehicle to
tow your trailer, ask the vehicle dealer for advice on
how to outfit the towing vehicle.

Discuss the following information and equipment with
the vehicle dealer.

Overall Carrying and Towing Capacity of Vehicle:

Vehicle manufacturers will provide you with the maxi-
mum towing capacities of their various models, as well
as the GCWR. No amount of reinforcement will give a
100 horsepower, 2,500 pound truck the towing capac-
ity that a 300 horsepower, 5,000 pound truck has.

Towing Hitch:

The towing hitch attached to your

tow vehicle must have a capacity equal to or greater
than the load rating of the trailer you intend to tow.
The hitch capacity must also be matched to the tow
vehicle capacity.

Suspension System

: A tow vehicle equipped with

a factory installed “Towing Package” likely comes
equipped with heavy duty springs, heavy duty tires
and other suspension components which are able to
serve the size and weight of the trailer that the vehicle
is rated to tow. However, the addition of additional
equipment may further improve the tow vehicle per-
formance. These may include adjustable air shocks,
helper springs, etc.

Brake Controller:

The brake controller is part of the

tow vehicle and is essential in the operation of the
electric brakes on the trailer. If your trailer has electric
brakes it requires a brake controller be installed at the
driver’s position. The brake controller is not the same
as the safety breakaway switch that is installed on the
trailer.

Side View Mirrors:

The size of the trailer that is being

towed and your state law regulations determine the
size of the mirrors. However, some states prohibit
extended mirrors on a tow vehicle, except while a
trailer is actually being towed. In this situation, de-
tachable extended mirrors are necessary. Check with
your dealer or the appropriate state agency for mirror
requirements.