Thor Motor Coach 2009 Mandalay, Owner'S Manual

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MANDALAY
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the sidewall of all
tires. This information identifies and describes the fundamental characteristics of the tire and
also provides a tire identification number for safety standard certification and in case of a recall.
This begins with the letters “DOT” and indicates that the tire meets all federal standards.
For example, the number may read MC3TPXAW1204. The first two letters (MC) are the
Manufacturer Plant Code, the next two (3T) are the Government Size and Ply Code.
The following four letters (PXAW) are the Manufacturer Construction Code. The last four
numbers, referred to as the Tire Build Date (1204) represent the week and year the tire was
built. The Tire Build Date would be read as the 12
th
week of 2004.
Do not overload the motorhome.
Determining the load limits of a motorhome includes more than understanding the load limits of
the tires alone. On the motorhome, there is a Federal Certification Label that is affixed to the
interior sidewall next to the driver’s seat. The certification label will indicate the motorhome’s
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). This is the most weight the fully loaded motorhome can
weigh. It will also provide the gross axle weight rating (GAWR). This is the most a particular axle
can weigh. If there are multiple axles, the GAWR of each axle will be provided.
In the main bedroom closet there is a vehicle placard. This placard provides tire and loading
information. In addition, this placard will show the motorhomes seating capacity for people and
a statement regarding maximum cargo capacity.
4-7
CHASSIS OPERATIONS & PROCEDURES
MOTORHOME LOAD LIMITS
Tire Fundamentals
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number