Tiffin Motorhomes WAYFARER 2017, Owner'S Manual

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116
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE
Weighing the Motorhome
Earlier, in Chapter 1, the procedures for weighing the motorhome were presented. These procedures
provided the weighing of a “non-loaded” (i.e., not stocked with the possessions and provisions the user
would normally have onboard for travel) motorhome. Obviously, any additional weight stored onboard
(inside and underneath) the motorhome will contribute to the overall weight of the motorhome.
If not stored uniformly throughout the motorhome, additional weight of the possessions and provisions
of the motorhome user will load each axle and each tire differently (front-to-rear and side-toside
distribution of that additional weight). Accordingly, it is necessary to weigh the motorhome fully loaded
as the user would have it for travel. Moreover, it is necessary to weigh each tire position individually.
Overloading the motorhome can produce problems with the tires, wheels, springs, brakes, drive train,
and other motorhome assemblies. In addition, an overloaded motorhome uses more fuel, is more
difficult to handle properly, and can lead to driver fatigue more quickly. In a worst-case condition, if any
component should fail, this could result in loss of control of the motorhome and subsequent damage.
In certain states, the Highway Patrol routinely weighs motorhomes to check for overloaded axle
weights. Therefore, there are many good reasons for assuring that the motorhome is properly loaded
and not overloaded—this can be accomplished through a proper weighing of the fully loaded
motorhome.