1997 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS Owners Manual

61
*
[GF21090( 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.
*
[GF21110( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF21120( ALL)01/96]
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
*
[GF21130( 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.
*
[GF21140( ALL)01/96]
Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
*
[GF21150( 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.
*
[GF21160( ALL)01/96]
Maximum Trailer Weight
*
[GF21170( 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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Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996

62
*
[GF21180( ALL)01/96]
Trailer Weight Range
*
[GF21190( 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.
%*
[GF21210( ALL)01/96]
Calculating The Load
*
[GF21220( ALL)01/96]
To know how much weight your vehicle can
carry:
*
[GF21230( ALL)01/96]
q
Obtain ratings from your Safety Compliance
Certification Label, and the Trailer towing
specifications in the owner guide (refer to the
Index)
*
[GF21240( ALL)01/96]
Ð Refer to the following sample illustration
to locate the various ratings on your
Safety Compliance Certification Label.
*
[GF21250( ALL)01/96]
Ð If you do not plan on pulling a trailer, do
not include these ratings into your
calculations.
*
[GF21260( ALL)01/96]
q
Weigh your vehicle as you customarily
operate the vehicle (without cargo).
*
[GF21270( 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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Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996

63
*
[GF21280(B FM)01/96]
half page art:0020837-B
Sample label
*
[GF21300( 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.
File:09ltgfm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996

64
*
[GF21310( ALL)01/96]
Use this chart to perform your calculations.
*
[GF21320(B FM)01/96]
twenty-six pica chart:0020838-D
*
[GF21340( ALL)01/96]
NOTE: The Truck Safety Compliance
Certification Label has two weight
related entries that sometimes cause
confusion.
File:09ltgfm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996

65
*
[GF21350( 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
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.
*
[GF21360( 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.
*
[GF21370( ALL)01/96]
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? Not exactly. This is a
number that is related to government crash test
standards, and only indirectly reflects on the
amount of accessory weight that can be carried.
*
[GF21380( 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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66
*
[GF21410( ALL)01/96]
Trailers
*
[GF21420( 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.
*
[GF21430( 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.
*
[GF21440( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
*
[GF21450( ALL)01/96]
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.
*
[GF21460( ALL)01/96]
Use the Safety Compliance Certification Label to
find the axle code number and the engine type
for your vehicle.
*
[GF21470( 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.
*
[GF21480( 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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Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996

67 [GF21670( M)01/96]
twenty pica chart:0020722-B
[GF21680( M)01/96]
eight pica chart:0020723-AFile:09ltgfm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996

68
*
[GF21770( FM)01/96]
Automatic Transmissions
[GF21860( M)01/96]
twenty pica chart:0020724-C[GF21900( ALL)01/96]
Preparing to Tow
*
[GF21910( ALL)01/96]
For your safety and for the good of your
vehicle, use the right equipment for the type of
trailer you tow. Also, make sure that all towing
equipment is properly attached to your vehicle.
If you are not certain that you are using the
right equipment in the proper manner, see your
Ford or Lincoln-Mercury dealer.
File:09ltgfm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996