GENERAL INFORMATION
Sleeping-Capacity Weight Rating (SCWR) – This is the maximum weight capacity of the combined
number of persons (i.e., number of people multiplied by 154 pounds per person) permitted to sleep
within the vehicle.
Gross Axle-Weight Rating (GAWR) – This is the maximum allowable weight for an axle; the GAWR
considers the weakest link in the tire, wheel, brakes, hubs, axle, springs, and attaching parts. To
illustrate, if the axle is rated at 15,000 pounds and the tires are rated at 3,200 pounds each as a dual
installation, then the maximum GAWR will be 12,800 pounds for a four-tire vehicle.
WEIGHING PROCEDURES
To weigh the motorhome properly, the motorhome must be level when the weighing process is
performed. Your motorhome has been designed and built in compliance with the recommended limits of
the major-component/system suppliers to provide a realistic OCCC. It is up to the final user to provide
even distribution to prevent uneven loading. Once the vehicle is loaded, it can be taken to any certified
drive-on scales or individual-wheel scales to determine that the final weight is within specified limits for
the motorhome.
To Determine the Final Weight of the Motorhome:
1. Drive the motorhome onto the scales so that all wheels are on the scales; this provides the gross
vehicle weight (GVW) of the vehicle and can be recorded as such. The GVW must not exceed the
GVWR specified for the vehicle.
2. Drive the motorhome so that only the rear wheels remain on the scales; this provides the total
weight of the vehicle, save for the front axle. This weight must not exceed the total rating of the
axles remaining on the scales. The front axle weight is determined by subtracting the weight from
the GVW that was obtained in the first step. The result must not exceed the listed front-axle
weight rating.
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION
To ensure the maximum stability of the motorhome under static (i.e., parked) and dynamic (i.e., moving)
conditions, the distribution of the items to be carried and stored within the motorhome and in the
storage bays underneath the motorhome must be performed in such a manner as to strive for reasonably
even side-to-side and front-to-rear dispersion of the weight of the stored items. This process will ensure
that the motorhome is not “lop-sided” in weight distribution (i.e., all the stored weight is not on one side
and/or mainly toward the front or the rear). Keeping a center of mass of the motorhome essentially
centered on a front-to-rear and side-to-side basis will provide better control of the motorhome when it is
in motion.
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