Operating instructions

On The Road
Towing a Vehicle or Trailer
("Towed Load or Towed Unit")
.II
NOTE I
Some states and provinces require brakes and safety
chains when towing vehicles. Consult the proper
authorities in the states
or provinces through which
you will be traveling.
When you use your motor home to tow, remem-
ber that you must stop the towed load with your
motor home's brakes. This
is critical on hills
and in the mountains where you may encounter
sharp curves and possibly irregular road surfaces.
Check your motor home
Chassis Operator's/
Owner's
Guide/Manual for the maximum
weight your motor home can pull and stop on
both level and steep roads.
If the Chassis
Operator's/Owller's
Guide/Manual does not
provide information on towing weight limits, do
not tow a load
of more than 1000 pounds unless
the towed unit has a properly installed and oper-
ating supplement brake control system that
operates with the brakes
on your motor home.
The supplemental brakes will
NOT allow you to
tow more than the listed GCWR for your motor
home.
If you cannot stop, YOIl will crash.
You must not exceed the tire capacities or the
weight factors listed below if you expect to tow
something behind your motor home, either with
or without a dolly. The factors are:
• GCWR - Gross Combined Weight Rating
• GTW - Gross Towed Weight
o MTW - Maximu//l Tongue Weight
• GA WR - Gross Axle Weight Rating
The ratings for the above factors are all
listed on the Cargo Carrying Capacity label
posted inside the motor home.
o Tire Capacity
The tire capacity is dependent upon the
inflation pressure set at the load applied.
If you expect to tow with your motor home, there
are additional guidelines that you must follow:
05-2
• Do not exceed Ma.rimu//l Tongue Weight
as listed
on the carJying capacity label.
Heavier tongue weights can
change your
vehicle's handling
and response, can
cause a vehicle to crash, and will restrict
your
coverage under the OWllercare
Warranty.
•
Do not tow anything weighing more thall
the
GTW listed on the Cargo Canying
Capacity label. Heavier towed loads can
exceed your chassis' ability to pull and
stop the load and cause a vehicle crash,
da//lage the motor home structure or drive
train, and restrict your coverage under the
Fleetwood or chassis manufacturer's
war-
ranty. Changing
the trailer hitch will not
increase the tow capacity
of the //lotor
home.
• Consult the Chassis Operator's/Owner's
Guide/Manual, and U.S. state and
Canadian provincial laws for towing weight
limits
and for guidelines for installing sup-
plemental braking systems that operate with
your motor home's
brakes.
WARNING
Do not exceed the rated load of the motor home, or
the rated load of any axle. Exceeding the GVWR,
GAWR, GTW or GCWR of your motor home can
cause handling problems, a vehicle crash, damage
your motor home and void your warranties.
The way your motor home handles and responds
will be affected by the way the towed unit is
loaded.
If the tongue weight is too light in rela-
tion
to the GTW, handling and response will
change and your motor home will operate less
safely. Careful load planning and safe experi-
mentation with different loading patterns in
what you are towing can avoid this risk and
make your driving and towing experience safer
and more enjoyable.
Your motor home is equipped with one-half
of
the equipment required to tow a trailer, automo-
bile dolly, or other towed load.