Thor Motor Coach CLASS A - Section 6: Weighing, Loading, and Towing; Introduction; Important Weight Terminology

WEIGHING, LOADING, AND TOWING
53
6
THOR MOTOR COACH | MADE TO FIT
Introduction
Proper loading of the vehicle is one of the most import-
ant considerations when traveling in a motorhome. The
motorhome is designed to carry a certain safe maximum
load. is is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, or GVWR.
When towing a trailer or vehicle, the added weight calculates
towards the total weight of the motorhome (Gross Combined
Weight, or GCW). Staying within the safe weight limits of
the motorhome will help to it performs and operates safely
for your journeys.
Both the chassis manufacturer and Thor Motor Coach
provide weight ratings and recommendations for loading
this motorhome. Read and follow the information provided
by the chassis manufacturer in the chassis manufacturer’s
owner’s manual as well as information provided by or
Motor Coach in this owner’s manual. Important weight
ratings are listed on labels axed to your motorhome. Do
not remove these important safety labels.
NEVER LOAD THIS MOTORHOME OR TOW A
TRAILER OR VEHICLE THAT IS BEYOND THE SAFE
TOWING CAPACITIES AND WEIGHT-CARRYING
RATINGS OF THE MOTORHOME AND INSTALLED
TOWING HITCH.
Important Weight Terminology
Listed in this section are several important terms that you
should become familiar with to safely load and use your
motorhome as a towing vehicle. Also review the chassis
manufacturer's owner’s manual for important loading and
towing information.
Curb Weight:
e weight of an unloaded motorhome plus the weight of a
full fuel tank. Does not include propane, water, passengers,
cargo, or aermarket add-ons.
Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW):
e curb weight of the unloaded motorhome plus the weight
of a full propane tank.
Cargo Weight:
e total weight of all cargo added to the motorhome, includ-
ing food, clothing, camping gear, pots and pans, tools, water
(fresh and waste), propane, and all aermarket equipment
added to the motorhome. Also includes trailer tongue weight.
Keep in mind, carrying unnecessary water quantities (fresh or
waste) adds signicantly to the total cargo weight:
NOTE: 1 gallon of water = 8.3 pounds
1 gallon of propane = 4.2 pounds
1 gallon of gasoline = 6 pounds
1 gallon of diesel fuel = 7 pounds
Occupant and Cargo Carrying Capacity (OCCC):
e maximum weight of all cargo and occupants that can
be safely carried by the motorhome. e tongue weight of
the towed trailer or vehicle must be included in the total
cargo weight. DO NOT EXCEED THE OCCC RATING
OF THIS MOTORHOME.
OCCC is determined by subtracting the UVW of the motor-
home from the GVWR of the chassis, plus the weight of any
carried LP fuel. e OCCC of this motorhome is listed on
the yellow OCCC label, axed to the forward, right-side
entry or passenger door.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR):
e maximum permissible weight of a fully loaded motor-
home. GVWR is determined by the chassis manufacturer and
takes into consideration the design of the frame, suspension
components, axles, and tires. is rating can be found on
the Incomplete Vehicle Identication Data Label axed to
the driver’s door jamb.
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW):
e actual measured weight of a fully loaded vehicle. Gross
Vehicle Weight = Curb Weight + Total Cargo Weight +
Total Passenger Weight). THE MEASURED GVW MUST
NEVER EXCEED THE GVWR OF THE MOTORHOME.
Do not exceed any applicable motorhome weight ratings.
Doing so could damage your motorhome or affect
handling and braking characteristics.
Your motorhome’s braking system is designed and rated
for operation at the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
listed on the unit’s weight labels, not the gross combined
weight rating (GCWR).
WARNING
Section 6: Weighing, Loading, and Towing
A supplementary braking system should be used for safe
control of towed vehicles and for trailers weighing more
than 1,500 pounds when loaded. Supplemental braking
systems are required by transportation laws.
CAUTION