1997 FORD F SERIES MOTORHOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS load capacity

57
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[GF20790( ALL)01/96]
q
Stay within the load limits when you tow.
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[GF20795( ALL)01/96]
q
Carefully and thoroughly prepare your
vehicle for towing, making sure to use the
right equipment and to attach it properly.
(SeePreparing to Towin this chapter.)
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[GF20800( ALL)01/96]
q
Use extra caution when driving your vehicle
while you tow. (SeeDriving while you towin
this chapter.)
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[GF20805( ALL)01/96]
q
Service your vehicle more frequently if you
tow a trailer. (SeeServicing your vehicle if you
towin this chapter.)
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[GF20810( ALL)01/96]
Do not tow a trailer until your vehicle has been
driven at least 500 miles (800 km).
%
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[GF20820( ALL)01/96]
Vehicle Loading/Towing
Information
[GF20830( M)01/96]
Your vehicle's load capacity is designed by
weight, not volume, so you cannot necessarily
use all available space with large or heavy loads.
Maximum safe vehicle weights as well as tire,
rim sizes and inflation pressures are specified for
your vehicle on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label. A Safety Compliance
Certification Label was supplied by Ford Motor
Company to the Motorhome Manufacturer. The
manufacturer uses this information and supplies
a Compliance Certification Label which is
located inside the vehicle to the left of the
driver.
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Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996

60 %
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[GF21020( ALL)01/96]
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
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[GF21030( ALL)01/96]
To avoid overloading a vehicle, the owner
should observe the manufacturer's specified
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. The GVWR is the
maximum total weight of base vehicle,
passengers, optional components and cargo that
a particular vehicle was designed to carry.
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[GF21040( ALL)01/96]
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
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[GF21050( 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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[GF21060( 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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[GF21070( 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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[GF21080( 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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61
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[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.
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[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.
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[GF21120( ALL)01/96]
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating)
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[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.
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[GF21140( ALL)01/96]
Maximum Trailer Weight Rating
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[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.
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[GF21160( ALL)01/96]
Maximum Trailer Weight
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[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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65
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[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.
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[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.
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[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.
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[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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Update:Fri Dec 13 11:22:54 1996

66
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[GF21410( ALL)01/96]
Trailers
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[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.
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[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.
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[GF21440( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not exceed the GVWR or the GAWR
specified on the Safety Compliance
Certification Label.
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[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.
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[GF21460( 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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[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.
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[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

124 %
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[MC26850( ALL)01/96]
Replacing the Tires
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[MC26900( ALL)01/96]
Replace any tires that show wear bands. When
your tire shows a wear band, it has only 1/16
inch (2 mm) of tread left.
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[MC26950( ALL)01/96]
quarter page art:0060006-A
Wear band
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[MC27000( ALL)01/96]
Because your vehicle's tires may wear unevenly,
you may need to replace them before a wear
band appears across the entire tread. Some spots
wear more heavily than others.
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[MC27050( ALL)01/96]
Your wheels and tires are match-mounted for
improved ride. Before you begin to repair a tire,
mark the wheel and tire so that they are
properly aligned when remounted. This will
ensure that the tires will continue to give you
the same ride level.
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[MC27100( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
When replacing full size tires, never mix
radial, bias-belted, or bias-type tires. Use
only the tire sizes that are listed on the
tire pressure decal. Make sure that all tires
are the same size, speed rating, and
load-carrying capacity. Use only the tire
combinations recommended on the decal.
If you do not follow these precautions,
your vehicle may not drive properly and
safely.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

125
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[MC27150( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Make sure that all replacement tires are of
the same size, type, load-carrying capacity,
and tread design (e.g. ªAll Terrainº, etc.),
as originally offered by Ford.
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[MC27200( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Do not replace your tires with ªhigh
performanceº tires or larger size tires.
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[MC27300( ALL)01/96]
RWARNING
Failure to follow these precautions may
adversely affect the handling of the
vehicle and make it easier to lose control
and roll over.
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[MC27350( ALL)01/96]
Tires that are larger or smaller than your
vehicle's original tires may also affect the
accuracy of your speedometer.
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Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996

127 [MC27600( M)01/96]
RWARNING
Use only wheel assemblies approved and
released by Ford Motor Company for your
vehicle model.
[MC27650( M)01/96]
A wheel or tire of the wrong size or type may
adversely affect such things as load carrying
capacity, wheel and bearing life, brake cooling,
speedometer/odometer calibration, stopping
ability, headlight aim, bumper height, vehicle
ground clearance, and tire or tire chain clearance
to the body and chassis. Replacement with used
wheels is not advised: they may have been
treated harshly or have high mileage, and they
could fail without warning.
[MC27700( M)01/96]
The use of wheels with load carrying limits
higher than the limits of the wheels originally
installed on your vehicle does not in itself
increase the GAWR or GVWR of the vehicle.
[MC27750( M)01/96]
RWARNING
Use only wheel assemblies approved and
released by Ford Motor Company for your
vehicle model.
[MC27800( M)01/96]
RWARNING
Alterations to the vehicle suspension or
steering by raising the chassis (i.e., use of
aftermarket ªlift kitsº) may adversely
affect vehicle handling and braking
performance.
File:11ltmcm.ex
Update:Fri Dec 13 11:24:54 1996