Driving & Safety
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2•49
Improperly inflated tires or suspension that is incorrectly loaded can
result in poor fuel economy, poor handling and over-stressed chassis compo-
nents. Vehicle loading affects tire inflation pressure and the load carried by
each axle. Motorhome axle configuration and floor plan styles will require
different weighing procedures.
WARNING: Improperly inflated or overloaded tires can cause
a blowout. An overloaded axle can cause a component failure of
the suspension system. Tire blowouts or broken suspension
components can lead to loss of vehicle control resulting in prop-
erty damage, personal injury or death.
CAUTION: If actual weight carried by any tire is below the
tire chart weight specification, then a minimum tire pressure of
at least 75 psi. must be maintained. Tire pressure below 75 psi.
can overheat and damage the tire casing leading to premature
tire failure or blowout.
Slide-Out Tire Pressure:
A motorhome equipped with slide-out room(s) will weigh slightly heavier
on the driver side. Tire inflation pressures between the driver side and pas-
senger side will differ. More air pressure will be required in the driver side
tires due to the added weight on that side.
NOTE: When weighing a slide-out motorhome, each tire must
be weighed independently to obtain the correct weight carried
by each tire.
Scales
Certified public scales are located in a variety of places such as moving
and storage lots, farm suppliers with grain elevators, gravel pits, recycling
companies and large commercial truck stops.
If you are not aware of a nearby public scale, check the local area tele-
phone book yellow pages under “scales-public” section or “weighers.” A
nominal fee will be charged, but this is money wisely spent.
Weight scale types and weighing methods will affect the procedure used
to determine proper tire inflation pressure and axle loading. The size of some
scales will allow the entire motorhome to fit on the scale, which will read the
GVW with only one scale recording required. Other scales are designed to
weigh only one axle at a time, which may require two or three scale readings
to determine the GAW or GVW total. Some scales will read only one wheel
position at a time due their physical size. Several scale readings may be
required to determine the GAW or GVW total.
Slide-out equipped motorhomes will require each wheel position to be
weighed. This is referred to as a four corner weigh. Slide-out motorhomes
WINDSOR
WEIGHING THE
MOTORHOME
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