3-7
SECTION 3
DRIVING YOUR MOTOR HOME
3 DRIVING Y
O
UR MOT
O
R HOME
ROOF LOADING
The roof is capable of carrying up to 10
pounds per square foot to a maximum of 100
pounds while the vehicle is in motion.
When the vehicle is stationary, a cargo load of
100 pounds plus the weight of a 225 pound
person to load the cargo or to conduct inspection
and maintenance is permissible.
Weight added to both the roof and the trailer
hitch contribute to the gross vehicle weight,
which must not exceed the vehicle’s GVWR.
WEIGHING YOUR LOADED
VEHICLE
To check the weight of your fully loaded
coach, locate a commercial weighing scale that is
capable of weighing large trucks.
Loading
Load your vehicle completely as if you were
going on a long trip, with everything you would
carry, including food, clothing, bedding, lawn
chairs, etc., a full fuel tank, full LP tank, and a
partial tank of fresh water - but empty holding
tanks.
Finding a Scale
In urban areas, the most common places to
find a public access scale are commercial truck
stops. In rural areas, most grain storage elevators
have scales available. Most scales charge a
nominal fee for weighing a vehicle.
Weighing
There is typically a scale operator to direct
you but the basic routine is to take three separate
weights - front axle, whole vehicle, and rear axle.
You will first drive only your front wheels onto
the scale pad, then drive ahead so that the whole
vehicle is on the scale, then finally pull off until
just the rear wheels are on the pad.
You will receive a weight ‘ticket’ that states
your current Front Gross Axle Weight, Rear
Gross Axle Weight and Gross Vehicle Weight.
You can compare these weights to the weight
ratings listed on your Vehicle Certification Label
to use as a guideline for future loading limits and
weight distribution.
The gross weight of the vehicle must not
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) specified on the Vehicle Certification
CAUTION
The weight of the loaded vehicle
(including options, attachments,
passengers, water, fuel, luggage and all
other cargo) must not exceed the GVWR
or GAWR of either axle.
Front Axle Only
Both Front and Rear Axles
Rear Axle Only