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Driving on under-inflated tires can cause the tires to overheat, which leads to the breakdown of the tire’s internal structure. Improper
inflation also can reduce your ability to control your vehicle. Tire blowouts occur more during summer months than any other time of
the year. Properly inflated tires last longer, run quieter, grip better, increase fuel mileage and safely support and control your vehicle.
Check your tire pressure once a month and each time before you take a trip with your truck and camper. Use a quality air pressure
gauge to check the pressure. Do not under-inflate or over-inflate your tires. Inspect your tires for uneven or excessive wear. Look for
bulges, cuts, blisters on the sidewalls.
When you’re traveling, do as professional commercial drivers do: inspect your tires regularly and check and adjust cold inflation
pressure every day that you travel.
Individual wheel position weights must not exceed the maximum tire load capacity. Maximum tire load capacity can only be achieved
utilizing the maximum allowable psi as listed on the sidewall of the tire.
Axle Weight
The correct way to be sure the camper weight is properly distributed is to determine the weight on each end of each axle.
Failure to properly match the camper and truck can result in undesirable handling characteristics and create a safety hazard.
DO NOT load your vehicle beyond its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and/or gross axle weight ratings (GAWR).
Weighing Your Truck & Camper
Weighing Your Truck
The truck must be weighed with all anticipated occupants and full of fuel.
Drive onto the scales and note the weight of the total truck.
Pull forward until the front axle is off the scale and get the weight on the rear axle.
Subtract the weight on the rear axle from the total truck weight to get the weight on the front axle.
Weighing Your Camper (Fully Loaded)
With the camper fully loaded with LP and water, (if you intend to travel with water), pull onto the scales as before and note
the combined weight of the truck and camper.
Pull forward until the front axle is off the scale and get the weight on the rear axle.
Subtract the weight on the rear axle from the total truck and camper weight to arrive at the weight on the front axle.
Subtract the truck weight from the combined truck and camper weight for each axle. This amount should be less than the
truck manufacturer’s GAWR, (Gross Axle Weight Rating). If you are over the GAWR, you will need to remove of shift
weight accordingly.
Once the weight is less than the GAWR, you need to weigh each individual wheel to ensure your camper is evenly loaded on
each side.
Again pull on to the scales, but with only the right front tire on the scales. Pull forward and note the weight of the right rear
tire. Do the same for the left rear tire. Follow the same procedure for the front tire. Take the GAWR of the rear axle and
divide do the same for the front. This is the GAWR for each axle end.
Now subtract the individual wheel weights from the individual GAWR for each wheel. If the amount is less, you are within
the GAWR for that axle end. If the amount is more, you are over the GAWR for that axle end and you will need to adjust
how your camper is loaded to bring the weight down within the GAWR.
Look in your Yellow Pages under gravel pits, storage companies or recycling facilities to find certified scales. Call in advance to
determine if they offer public weighing service, their fees if any, and hours of operation.
NOTE:
Cargo can be added to the vehicle up to the maximum weight specified on the weight label. The combined weight of the
camper and its cargo cannot exceed the stated GVWR.
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) – the maximum permissible weight of the fully loaded camper.
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating) – the allowable weight, including cargo that can be safely supported by each axle.
