1997 FORD AEROSTAR Owners Manual

185 %
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[GF30801(ALL)01/96]
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
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[GF30850(ALL)01/96]
We have all seen a car or a truck that is loaded
down in the rear and riding high in the front.
This is a dangerous condition that usually means
that the rear suspension components are under
severe strain and that vehicle handling is
impaired. There is more to carrying a load than
just payload or GVWR.
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[GF30901(ALL)01/96]
Your Safety Compliance Certification Label not
only gives the GVWR, it also gives the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) which is the
carrying capacity for each axle system. For
trucks, the rear axle will be designed to carry
more weight than the front.
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[GF30950(ALL)01/96]
The rating is based on the carrying capacity of
thelowest ratedaxle and suspension component
as well as other factors. This is why it's so
important to observe vehicle loading ratings.
Overloading a vehicle punishes components and
can lead to shortened service life or outright
failure.
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[GF31001(ALL)01/96]
The capacity of the tires is included as part of
the axle and suspension system, which is to be
considered when determining the lowest rated
component. Tires are rated to carry a specific
maximum load at a specific maximum tire
pressure.
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[GF31050(ALL)01/96]
Passenger car type tires when installed on light
trucks and multipurpose passenger vehicles are
rated at 10% lower load carrying capacity due to
the differences in vehicle usages.
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[GF31101(ALL)01/96]
The vehicle must not be loaded to both the front
and rear GAWR because the GVWR will be
exceeded. The GAWR of the front and rear axles
exceeds the GVWR when added together to
allow flexibility in fore and aft loading of cargo.
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[GF31110(ALL)03/96]
With the tires inflated to the specified pressure,
the total weight of your vehicle must not exceed
the GVWR and GAWR specified on the Safety
Compliance Certification Label. This includes full
fuel tank(s), vehicle equipment, and occupants as
well as the cargo load.
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[GF31120(ALL)01/96]
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
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[GF31130(ALL)01/96]
GCWR is the maximum combined weight of the
towing vehicle (including passengers and cargo)
and the loaded trailer. The GCWR is specified
by the manufacturer to indicate the combined
maximum loaded weight that the vehicle is
designed to tow.
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[GF31140(ALL)01/96]
Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
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[GF31150(ALL)01/96]
The maximum trailer weight rating is the
maximum weight of a trailer the vehicle is
permitted to tow. It is specified by the
manufacturer and is determined by subtracting
the vehicle curb weight for each
engine/transmission combination, any required
option weight for trailer towing and the weight
of the driver from the GCWR for the towing
vehicle.
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[GF31160(ALL)01/96]
Maximum Trailer Weight
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[GF31170(ALL)01/96]
The maximum trailer weight is the maximum
weight of a trailer the loaded vehicle is
permitted to tow. It is determined by subtracting
the weight of the loaded towing
vehicle (including passengers and cargo) from
the GCWR for the towing vehicle.
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[GF31180(ALL)01/96]
Trailer Weight Range
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[GF31190(ALL)01/96]
The trailer weight range is a specified range by
weight, which the trailer must fall within,
ranging from zero to the maximum trailer
weight rating.
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187 %
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[GF31301(ALL)01/96]
Calculating The Load
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[GF31350(ALL)01/96]
To know how much weight your vehicle can
carry:
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[GF31401(ALL)03/96]
q
Obtain ratings from your Safety Compliance
Certification Label, and the Trailer towing
specifications in the Owner Guide (refer to
the Index)
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[GF31450(ALL)01/96]
Ð Refer to the following sample illustration
to locate the various ratings on your
Safety Compliance Certification Label.
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[GF31501(ALL)01/96]
Ð If you do not plan on pulling a trailer, do
not include these ratings into your
calculations.
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[GF31550(ALL)01/96]
q
Weigh your vehicle as you customarily
operate the vehicle (without cargo).
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[GF31601(ALL)01/96]
q
Subtract the total weight of passengers, driver
and optional equipment added by the factory,
dealer or aftermarket supplier to determine
how much cargo weight you can carry.
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[GF31702(ALL)01/96]
If you suspect that your payload is excessive,
have your vehicle weighed at a highway weigh
station or appropriate commercial facility. Weigh
the total vehicle and trailer (if applicable), then
separately weigh the vehicle at the front and
rear wheels. And finally, weigh the trailer
separately if applicable.
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[GF31751(ALL)01/96]
Use this chart to perform your calculations.
[GF31805(ALL)01/96]
twenty-six pica chart:0021098-B*
[GF31851(ALL)01/96]
NOTE: The Truck Safety Compliance
Certification Label has two weight
related entries that sometimes cause
confusion.
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[GF31901(ALL)01/96]
Front Axle Reserve Capacity in Pounds (kgs): If
this value is given as 83 pounds (38 kgs) on the
label, does this mean that you are limited to
adding only 83 pounds (38 kgs) of accessories to
the front end capacity? Not exactly. This says
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189
that you can load 83 pounds (38 kgs) of options
on the front axle, add 150 pound (68 kgs)
passengers to all seating positions, and add
evenly distributed cargo in the box without
exceeding the GAWR F.
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[GF31950(ALL)01/96]
It is possible to hang heavier equipment on the
front as long as the vehicle owner/operator
compensates. This can be accomplished, if
necessary, by carrying fewer passengers, less
cargo or positioning cargo more toward the rear,
which has the effect of reducing the load on the
front. Keep in mind that the GAWR F, GAWR
R, nor the GVWR should ever be exceeded.
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[GF32001(ALL)06/96]
Total Accessory Reserve Capacity in Pounds
(kgs): If, for example, this value is given as 112
pounds (51 kgs), does this mean that you are
limited to adding 112 pounds (51 kgs) of
accessories to your vehicle? Yes, that is correct
for permanently installed accessories. This is a
number that is related to government crash test
standards. Therefore, no more than this weight
should be permanently installed on your vehicle.
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[GF32050(ALL)01/96]
In the case of both these numbers (83 and 112
pounds) (38 and 51 kgs), the important thing to
remember is that for safe operation, an
owner/operator should calculate the amount and
the distribution of all weights (passengers,
accessory equipment and cargo). These combined
weights should fall below the vehicle's GVWR
and GAWR.
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[GF32201(ALL)01/96]
Trailers
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[GF32251(ALL)01/96]
Towing a trailer safely means having the proper
weight on the tongue (usually 10% of the trailer
weight). Load-equalizing hitches on large rigs
may transfer weight to each of the vehicle's
axles. This weight must be included in capacity
calculations when determining if the vehicle is
loaded within safe limits.
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[GF32301(ALL)01/96]
If your vehicle exceeds the GVWR, remove cargo
from your vehicle accordingly. If your vehicle
exceeds the GAWR for either axle, shift the load
or remove cargo accordingly.
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[GF32350(ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
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[GF32401(ALL)05/96]
RWARNING
Towing trailers beyond the maximum
recommended gross trailer weight could
result in engine damage, transmission/axle
damage, structural damage, loss of control,
and personal injury.
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[GF32450(ALL)01/96]
Use the Safety Compliance Certification Label to
find the axle code number and the engine type
for your vehicle.
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[GF32500(ALL)01/96]
Use the appropriate Maximum Gross Combined
Weight Rating (GCWR) chart to find the
Maximum GCWR for your type engine and rear
axle ratio.
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[GF32551(ALL)01/96]
Subtract your Loaded Vehicle Weight from the
Maximum GCWR found in the chart. This is the
maximum trailer weight your vehicle can tow
and must fall below the maximum shown under
Trailer Weight on the chart.
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191 [GF33400(ALL)05/96]
thirty-six pica chart:0095089-B
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192 [GF33500(ALL)01/96]
twelve pica chart:0020157-D
File:09cpgfa.ex
Update:Wed Jun 5 12:04:06 1996