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20 08 CONTESSA
DRIVING & SAFETY — 2
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR),
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
and/or Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) must
not be exceeded.
GVWR of the vehicle limits the weight of the
entire load combination, regardless of the water,
propane, passengers and cargo weight.
It is important to understand that the weighing
process is performed in two phases. First, by
determining the Cargo Carrying Capacity
(CCC); and second, to ensure the GVWR is
not exceeded when adjusting tire pressures. The
weighing process should start by recording the
GVWR from the Federal Weight Label, then
weighing the motorhome unloaded, without
passengers and with a full fuel tank. Engine and
transmission uid levels must be full. This is
known as the Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW).
Once this weight has been recorded it can be
subtracted from the GVWR.
GVWR 35,000 - UVW 20,000 = A 15,000
Next, begin to calculate the Cargo Carrying
Capacity (CCC).
Fresh water weight and propane weight can now
be subtracted from the remaining total line A.
Water weight is the number of gallons
multiplied by 8.3.
Propane weight is the number of gallons
multiplied by 4.2.
A 10 gallon water heater with a 40 gallon fresh
tank would total 50 gallons times 8.3, or 415 lbs.
A 30 gallon propane tank will have 24 gallons
of propane due to the 80% valve. This would
mean 24 gallons multiplied by 4.2, or 100.8 lbs.
A 15,000 - 415 = B 14,585
B 14,585 - 100.8 = C 14,484.2
Next, calculate the Sleep Capacity Weight
Rating (SCWR) the manufacturer’s designated
number of sleeping positions for the motorhome
multiplied by 154 lbs.
The 154 lbs. (70kg) is the average weight
established by the US Federal Government
and Transport Canada, and is used to arrive at
Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC). However,
actual sleep capacity weight may be greater.
The SCWR is not intended to limit the sleeping
capacity to a specied weight.
Example: If the manufacturer has designated
the motorhome sleeping position at 4 (616 lbs.)
and there are four people who weight 200, 200,
178 and 138 lbs., totaling 716 lbs., that does not
mean the sleeping capacity is reduced to three
individuals, but rather the CCC is reduced by
100 lbs. due to the actual passenger weight.
C 14,484.2 - SCWR 716 = CCC 13,768.2
Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC) is how
much cargo the motorhome can carry. However,
tongue weight of a towed vehicle will further
reduce this amount.
Now the motorhome can be fully loaded and
weighed to ensure GVWR is not exceeded.
Once the motorhome is fully loaded it is ready
to be weighed to obtain an accurate scale
reading and determine the proper tire pressure.
All slide rooms must be in the retracted position
when weighing the motorhome. The motorhome
must remain as level as possible on the scale,
even when an axle or side is not physically on
the scale.
Each wheel position must be weighed to
accurately determine the weight carried
at each wheel position.
Refer to the previous examples on how
to weigh each wheel position. Each
wheel position weight must be weighed
and recorded to determine proper tire
ination.
Wheel position weights are not to exceed
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) and
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
as printed on the Motorhome Vehicle
Certication Label.
Compare wheel position weights with
weight ratings on the label. If wheel
position weights exceed maximum
specications, items will need to be
removed until rating weight is within
specication.
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