Lance Truck Camper Owner's Manual

Contents

Lance Truck Camper Owner's Manual Manual pdf 18 page image

18RV’s become overloaded when people put too manythings into them. There is no easy way to determinethe weight you’ve loaded, so there’s a temptation tokeep loading until every available space if filled.People are loading by volume, but weight is far moreimportant. Unfortunately, you may have exceeded theload-carrying capacity of the tires before everything ison board. The only way to tell if your truck/camper isoverloaded is to weigh it fully loaded.The most critical point about weighing a vehicle is thatit must be weighed with everything on board that willbe there while you’re traveling. That means you mustweigh the truck/camper with passengers, supplies,food, water, propane and the truck full of fuel. Bear inmind that water weighs 8.3 lbs per gallon and propaneweighs 4.2 lbs per gallon. These two items alone canadd over 400 lbs alone. Limiting your on-board wateruntil you arrive at your destination will lower your totalweight. You must know the actual load on the axlesand wheels, and there’s no other way to do it otherthan on a commercial scale.In addition to knowing the total weight, it is crucial toknow the weight on each end of each axle. That’s theonly way you can find out if the load is both within thetire capacity, as well as whether or not the load isproperly distributed.You should be able to find certified scales by lookingin your Yellow Pages for moving and storagecompanies, farm suppliers, gravel pits, recyclingcompanies or commercial truck stops. Be sure to callin advance to determine whether the facility offerspublic weighing services, their hours of operation andany fees that might be involved.WARNING Failure to properly match camper andtruck can result in undesirable handling characteristicsand create a safety hazard.Do not load your vehicle beyond its gross vehicleweight rating (GVWR) and/or gross axle weightratings (GAWR). Both of these ratings are given on anidentification label normally located at the driver’sdoorpost area.In addition to knowing the overall weight that can besafely loaded in or attached to the truck, you shouldknow how to distribute the weight in the camper sothat correct amounts of weight are placed on eachtruck axle. Proper weight distribution is required fordriving stability and will assure that the truck/camperis not rear, front or side heavy. Heavy weights placedat the rear end of the truck/camper may causeundesirable handling characteristicsWhen loading the camper, store heavy gear first,keeping it on or close to the camper floor. Place heavythings far enough forward to keep the loadedcamper’s center of gravity within the zonerecommended by the truck manufacturer. Store onlylight objects on high shelves. Distribute weight toobtain even side-to-side balance of the loaded vehicle.Secure loose items to prevent weight shifts that couldaffect the balance of your vehicle.TIRESTires are available in a variety of load ratings andsizes, and if the tires you currently have cannot handlethe load, it maybe possible to replace your tires withtires of higher pound capacity. Bear in mind, that theultimate capacity of the truck is determined by theweakest link in the system. This could be the tires,wheels, suspension or brakes.The maximum ratings are molded into the side of thetire. The sidewall of the tire shows maximum andminimum inflation pressure for that load.Be sure you also know the load and inflation pressureratings for your wheels as well. Often, these arestamped on the inside of the wheels, but if not, yourdealer can help you find out what they are. Neverexceed the maximum load or inflation pressure of yourwheels.Driving on under-inflated tires can cause the tires tooverheat, which leads to the breakdown of the tire’sinternal structure. Improper inflation also can reduceyour ability to control your vehicle. Tire blowouts occurmore during summer months than any other time ofthe year. Properly inflated tires last longer, run quieter,grip better, increase fuel mileage and safely supportand control your vehicle.Check your tire pressure once a month and each timebefore you take a trip with your truck and camper. Usea quality air pressure gauge to check the pressure. Donot under-inflate or over-inflate your tires. Inspect yourtires for uneven or excessive wear. Look for bulges,cuts, blisters on the sidewalls.When you’re traveling, do as professional commercialdrivers do: inspect your tires regularly and check andadjust cold inflation pressure every day that you travel.CAUTION Individual wheel position weights must notexceed the maximum tire load capacity. Maximum tireload capacity can only be achieved utilizing themaximum allowable psi as listed on the sidewall of thetire.16