A vehicle specific Truck-Camper Loading information label is attached to the inside of your vehicle's glove box. This label will tell you if your vehicle can carry a slide-in camper, how much of a load your vehicle can carry, and how to correctly spread out the load. Also, it will help you match the right slide-in camper to your vehicle.
When you carry a slide-in camper, the total cargo load of your vehicle is the weight of the camper, plus the following:
| • | Everything else added to the camper after it left the factory |
| • | Everything in the camper |
| • | All the people inside |
The Cargo Weight Rating (CWR) is the maximum weight of the load your vehicle can carry. It does not include the weight of the people inside. But, you can figure about 150 lbs (68 kg) for each seat.
The total cargo load must not be more than your vehicle's CWR.
Refer to the Truck-Camper Loading Information label in the glove box for dimensions A and B as shown in the following illustration.
Use the rear edge of the load floor for measurement purposes. The recommended location for the cargo center of gravity is at point C for the CWR. It is the point where the mass of a body is concentrated and, if suspended at that point, would balance the front and rear.
Here is an example of proper truck and camper match:
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Camper Center of Gravity
Recommended Center of Gravity Location Zone
When the truck is used to carry a slide-in camper, the total cargo load of the truck consists of the manufacturer's camper weight figure, the weight of installed additional camper equipment not included in the manufacturer's camper weight figure, the weight of camper cargo, and the weight of passengers in the camper. The total cargo load should not exceed the truck's cargo weight rating and the camper's center of gravity (A) should fall within the truck's recommended center of gravity zone (B) when installed.
You must weigh any accessories or other equipment that you add to your vehicle. Then, subtract this extra weight from the CWR. This extra weight may shorten the center of gravity zone of your vehicle. Your dealer can help you with this.
If your slide-in camper and its load weighs less than the CWR, the center of gravity zone for your vehicle may be larger.
Your dealer can help you make a good vehicle-camper match and help you determine the CWR.
After you have loaded your vehicle and camper, drive to a weigh station and weigh the front and rear wheels separately. This will tell you the loads on the axles. The loads on the front and rear axles should not be more than either of the Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR). The total of the axle loads should not be more than the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
Open the driver's door and look at the Certification/Tire label to find out your vehicle's GAWRs and GVWR.
If your vehicle has gone over the weight ratings, move or take out some things until all the weight falls below the ratings.
Secure loose items to prevent weight shifts that could affect the balance of your vehicle. When the truck-camper is loaded, drive to a scale and weigh on the front and on the rear wheels separately to determine axle loads. Individual axle loads should not exceed either of the gross axle weight ratings (GAWR). The total axle loads should not exceed your vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). These ratings are given on the vehicle certification label attached to the rear edge of the driver's door. See "Certification/Tire Label" under Loading the Vehicle . If weight ratings are exceeded, move or remove items to bring all weights below the ratings.
When you install and load your slide-in camper, check the manufacturer's instructions.
If you want more information on curb weights, cargo weights, Cargo Weight Rating and the correct center of gravity zone for your vehicle, your dealer can help you. Just ask for a copy of "Consumer Information, Truck-Camper Loading."
