Owner`s manual

2008 KNIGHT
37
DRIVING & SAFETY — 2
The Federal Certication Label is a guide
in knowing the maximum loaded axle weight
rating GAWR, and subsequently the correct
tire ination pressure for that weight. Every
motorhome, even of the same make and model,
will vary in actual loaded axle weights because
of different options and personal loads.
While the actual loaded axle weight should
be below the GAWR, the motorhome must be
weighed in a loaded condition to determine
actual weight. Separately weigh the front axle
and rear axle. It is possible for a motorhome to
be within the GVWR yet overloaded on one
axle. It is even possible for one wheel position
to be overloaded, even though the GAWR is not
exceeded. For this reason it will be necessary to
weigh each wheel position of the motorhome to
give a clear indication of exactly how the weight
of the motorhome is distributed.
Instructions and diagrams are presented on the
following pages. When the total weight and the
weight on each axle is known, the tire load data
chart in this manual will show the correct cold
ination pressure per tire for each axle.
There are two important factors to consider
when loading the motorhome: total weight and
balance. When loading heavy objects keep them
as low as possible, preferably on the oor or
below in storage compartments. Load weight
must be distributed as evenly as possible.
The following is an explanation of
commonly used weight abbreviations:
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR): Maximum permissible weight
of this motorhome. GVWR is equal to or
greater than the sum of UVW plus CCC.

Unloaded Vehicle Weight (UVW):
Weight of this motorhome as built at
factory with full fuel, engine oil and
coolants. UVW does not include cargo,
fresh water, LP-Gas, occupants or dealer
installed accessories.
Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC):
Equal to GVWR minus each of the
following: UVW, full fresh potable
water weight (including water heater),
full LP-Gas weight, and SCWR. Tongue
weight of towed vehicle and dealer
installed equipment will reduce CCC.
Gross Combination Weight Rating
(GCWR): The maximum allowable
loaded weight of this motorhome and
any towed trailer or towed vehicle.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR):
Load-carrying capacity specied by
manufacturer of a single axle system, as
measured at tire ground interfaces.
Sleeping Capacity Weight Rating
(SCWR): The manufacturer’s designated
number of sleeping positions multiplied
by 154 pounds.
Tire Pressure:
A motorhome may weigh slightly heavier on
one side. Tire ination pressure of the heavier
side tires determine the ination pressure for all
tire(s) on that axle due to the weight transfer that
occurs when cornering.
Improperly inated tires, or an incorrectly
loaded suspension, can result in poor fuel





economy, poor handling and over-stressed
chassis components. How the motorhome is
loaded will inuence tire ination pressure and
the load carried by each axle. This is why each
wheel position must be weighed. Motorhome
axle conguration and oor plan styles will
require different weighing procedures.
NOTE
When weighing a motorhome, each tire
on any axle must be inflated to the same
pressure. The wheel position carrying
the most weight will determine the tire
inflation pressure for each tire of that
particular axle.
Scales:
Certied public scales are located in moving
and storage lots, farm supplies with grain
elevators, gravel pits, recycling companies
and large commercial truck stops. To locate a
nearby public scale access, check the local area
telephone book yellow pages under Scales-
Public or Weighers. A nominal fee may be
charged, but this is money wisely spent.
Weight scale types and weighing methods
determine the procedure used to calculate proper
tire ination pressure and axle loading. Several
types of scales are in use today. A platform scale
will allow the entire motorhome to t on the
scale to read the GVW in one scale recording. A
segmented platform scale is designed to weigh
one axle at a time. A single axle scale weighs
one axle at a time. Some scales read only one
wheel position at a time due to physical size.
Several scale readings may be required to
determine the GAW or GVW total. Each wheel
position requires weighing, referred to as a four-
point weigh to accurately determine the correct
tire ination pressure.