SECTION 15
CHASSIS
15-4
TOWING GUIDELINES
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR):
This is the maximum allowable
weight of the fully loaded vehicle. Included are
fuel, water, LP, passengers, cargo, tools, and op-
tional equipment installed by the motor home
manufacturer, dealer, or owner. This value is
found on the VIN label, typically placed near the
driver position.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
This is the total weight a given axle is capable of
carrying, measured at the ground. Each axle has
its own rating. These values are also found on the
VIN label: front, rear, and tag, if applicable.
Gross Combination Weight Rating
(GCWR):
This is the maximum allowable
weight of the motor home and loaded trailer, in-
cluding the items noted in GVWR above. The
“trailer” can be an actual trailer, a vehicle towed
on a towing dolly, or a vehicle towed by means of
a towing bar. GCWR is typically specified based
on durability and performance of the tow vehicle
drivetrain: engine cooling systems, transmission,
drive line, drive axle, and others. The tow vehicle
brakes may be rated for operation at GVWR, not
GCWR.
NOTE: If the “trailer” weighs 1,000 lbs. or
more, state or provincial laws/regula-
tions may require the “trailer” to be
equipped with brakes that are activated
when the motor home brakes are applied.
The user is responsible to know and un-
derstand the laws of the state or prov-
ince being traveled.
The Department of
Transportation in a given state or prov-
ince should be able to provide specific
information.
Hitch Ratings:
SAE Standard J684 defines
Class 1 trailers as “GVWR not to exceed 2,000
lbs.”;
Class 2 trailers as “GVWR over 2,000 lbs. and
not to exceed 3,500 lbs. GVWR”;
Class 3 trailers as “GVWR over 3,500 lbs. and
not to exceed 5,000 lbs. GVWR”;
Class 4 trailers as “GVWR over 5,000 lbs. and
not to exceed 10,000 lbs. GVWR”.
Hitches are to be permanently marked with
“Maximum trailer GVWR to be drawn” and
“Maximum vertical tongue weight to be im-
posed...” The SAE standard does not specify a
vertical load rating, as such. Traditionally, hitch-
es are labeled 3,500/350 as Class 2 and 5,000/500
as Class 3.
The vertical tongue load value of 10 percent of
drawn rating apparently comes from the collec-
tive experience that 10 percent is the minimum
value that provides stable towing of a trailer.
Ford’s towing guide suggests 10 to 15 percent for
trailers over 2,000 lbs. (Hitch ratings are inde-
pendent of towing vehicle ratings.)
NOTE: Some Winnebago Industries models
equipped with a Class 3 hitch may have
a label limiting vertical tongue load to
350 lbs. Some Winnebago models
equipped with a Class IV hitch may have
a label limiting vertical tongue load to
500 lbs.
The user must verify that the hitch equipment
being used is adequate for the application.
CAR OR TRAILER TOWING
The factory installed towing hitch capacity
may vary according to chassis and model combi-
nations. Do not exceed either the GVWR, the rear
axle GAWR, or the chassis GCWR by the com-
bined loaded weight of the coach and the towed
vehicle.
See preceding items “Loading the Vehi-
cle” and “Weighing Your Loaded Vehicle” for
explanation of weight ratings
.
Because of individual vehicle use and loading
habits, we recommend weighing the vehicle
Transmission:
5-speed
Hitch:
Class III
Max. Pulling Capacity:
5,000 lbs.
Max. Vertical (Tongue) Weight:
500 lbs.