Page 4 - Travelore Fall 2015 Issue 31

Page 4 - DRVC Travelore
Vehicle Load Limits
an explanation of terms
By Dick Lorntson
All motorhomes have something in common to deal with regardless of brand, chassis, or fuel type – weight. The wise owner is aware of how weight has an effect on tire wear, fuel economy, ride and balance, and overall performance. Each interacts with the other whether the coach is sitting still or rolling down the highway at an acceptable cruising speed. The most important control factor is weight.
In each and every RV, there is a weight information label that lists the following:
• Gross Combined Weight Rating
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
• Unloaded Vehicle Weight
• Fresh Water Capacity and lbs per gallon
• LP Capacity and lbs per gallon
• Sleeping Capacity Weight Rating
• Cargo Carrying Capacity
• Towing Capacity (of self-propelled RV’s)
I have included an example image of the manufacturer’s label from a Class A motorhome for reference. (See image at right.)
Let’s begin with the Unloaded Vehicle Weight, as this is the starting point for all RV’s. This is the actual weight of the unit with full fuel, engine oil and radiator coolant. All additional weight ratings will include this weight as this is basically a static or non- changeable value. When the manufac- turer includes a full fuel tank, which is simply to indicate the maximum weight that the vehicle could weigh before adding personal effects. I real- ize that the fuel tank is not always full, but the fact that it could be full at any given time, means the total weight of fuel must be factored into the equation when calculating maxi- mum total weight allowable in your unit.
Before you start to add your valu- ables to the RV, you need to know the maximum number of passengers that
are allowed in RV. More people equals less cargo capability so keep that in mind if you have a family or a larger group of people that travel with you. I know that the weight of the average person that is used to make the calculations may be a bit humorous based on the weight of today’s average adult. Personally, I don’t quite fit into their weight parameters either, but keep in mind the formula that is used to arrive at the maximum weight your RV can carry. If you are more fit than I or carry less than the maximum number of passengers, you may have a bit more cargo weight capacity as a result. This does not mean that you can indiscriminately add anything you wish and still be safe. This label in you RV may potentially be used against you in court if you are ever in an accident that creates a lawsuit as a result of overloading. A judge or jury may use this against you if, by being overweight, you may have not be able to control your RV and as such caused damage or harm to another.
continued on next page
GVWR (GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING) IS THE MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE WEIGHT OF THIS FULLY LOADED MOTORHOME. GCWR (GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT RATING) MEANS THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE LOADED WEIGHT OF THIS MOTORHOME
AND ANY TOWED TRAILER OR TOWED VEHICLE.*
UVW (UNLOADED VEHICLE WEIGHT) IS THE WEIGHT OF THIS MOTORHOME AS MANUFACTURED AT THE FACTORY WITH FULL FUEL, ENGINE OIL AND COLLANT.
SCWR (SLEEPING CAPACITY WEIGHT RATING) IS THE MANUFACTURER’S DESIGNATED NUMBER OF SLEEPING POSITIONS MULTIPLIED BY 154 POUNDS (70 KILOGRAMS).
CCC (CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY) IS EQUALT TO GVWR MINUS EACH OF THE FOLLOWING; UVW, FULL FRESH (POTABLE) WATER WEIGHT (INCLUDING WATER HEATER), FULL LP-GAS WEIGHT AND SCWR.
POUNDS
41,000
31,000 25,013 905 118 616
= CCC FOR THIS MOTORHOME** ...................................................
* TOWING CAPACITY IS LIMITED BY THE GCWR OF THE HITCH CAPACITY WHICHEVER IS LESS (REFER TO OWNERS MANUAL) ** DEALER INSSTALLED EQUIPMENT AND TOWED VEHICLE TONGUE WEIGHT WILL REDUCE CCC
WARNING: CONSULT OWNER MANUAL(S) FOR SPECIFIC WEIGHING INSTRUCTIONS AND TOWING GUIDELINES INCLUDING AUXILIARY BRAKE REQUIREMENTS FOR ANY TOWED TRAILER OR TOWED VEHICLE.
GCWR ............................................................................................... CARGO CARRYING CAPACITY (CCC) COMPUTATION
GVWR ..............................................................................................
MINUS UVW ............................................................................. MINUS FRESH WATER WEIGHT OF GALLONS @ 8.3 LB/GAL MINUS LP-GAS WEIGHT OF GALLONS @ 4.2 LB/GAL ...... MINUS SCWR OF PERSONS @ 154 LB/PERSON...............
KILOGRAMS
18,597
14,061 11,345 410 57 259
4,349
1,969