DRIVING & SAFETY - 2
CAYMAN 2007
20
HITCH
Using the Rear Receiver
When using the rear hitch receiver, remember
that the motorhome is intended for towing light
loads and is primarily designed as a recreational
vehicle. Safety and durability of the hitch
receiver requires proper receiver use. Avoid
excessive towing loads or other misuse of the
receiver. Towing will affect fuel economy.
Weight pushing down on the rear hitch (tongue
weight) must not exceed 10% of maximum
tow capacity. It is recommended to weigh the
motorhome when fully loaded to ensure proper
weight distribution of the GCVW (Gross
Combined Vehicle Weight).
When weighing the motorhome, add all
passenger weight to the GCVW total. The
motorhome fully loaded, including fresh water,
LP-Gas and any vehicle or trailer towed, must
not exceed the GCWR (Gross Combined
Weight Rating).
WARNING:
Most states and Canadian provinces
require trailers and/or towed vehicles to
have adequate auxiliary brakes. Failure
to comply with these state and Canadian
province requirements may result in
fines and/or pose a safety hazard, which
may result in an accident.
WARNING:
DO NOT tow a trailer or vehicle that
exceeds the rated capacity of the
hitch receiver. Overloading the hitch
receiver can cause unusual handling
characteristics and overstress the hitch
receiver and chassis. It could also void
the warranty. If there are any questions,
call customer support.
Ball Mount:
Ball mounts come in
various confi gurations
and weight limitations.
There are three things to
consider when selecting
a ball mount: weight
rating, pin to ball center
length and rise/drop. The
weight rating of the ball
mount, tongue weight
and tow weight must
meet or exceed the
total load weight.
Pin to ball center should
not exceed 8". Ball mounts
of longer length will
signifi cantly reduce the
weight rating of the hitch
receiver. Observe weight
reduction percentages
that may be listed on ball
mounts longer than 8".
Selecting how much rise or drop a ball mount
will need is relative to hitch receiver height and
height of the towed load with respect to the type
of towing equipment between the motorhome
and towed load.
Weight Distributing Hitches:
A weight distributing hitch uses spring bars of
spring steel to compensate for lack of adequate
rear suspension of the tow vehicle. This type
of hitch is generally used for towing heavier
loads as tongue weight and gross tow weight
increases. The spring bars attach to the hitch
head assembly and the trailer frame.
Hitch Ball:
The hitch ball is what the trailer attaches
to. A hitch ball is available in three common
diameters, 1-7/8", 2" and 2-5/16". The larger the
diameter of the hitch ball, the higher the weight
rating. The diameter of the hitch ball shank also
factors into weight rating. Match shank diameter
with the hole in the ball mount or weight
distributing head. Shank clearance should not
exceed 1/16". There should be at least two
additional threads extending past the nut when
the hitch ball is secure.
100200b
Distance from the
center of the hitch
ball hole to the center
of the pin hole.
Distance from the
shank to the top of
the hitch ball platform.
Distance from the
top of the shank to
the top of the hitch
ball platform.
020314
020065d
Summary of Contents for CAYMAN 2007
Page 12: ...GENERAL INFORMATION 1 CAYMAN 2007 8 NOTES...
Page 14: ......
Page 16: ......
Page 52: ...DRIVING SAFETY 2 CAYMAN 2007 48 NOTES...
Page 80: ...EXTERIOR INTERIOR CARE 3 CAYMAN 2007 76 NOTES...
Page 100: ...APPLIANCES 4 CAYMAN 2007 96 NOTES...
Page 132: ...WATER SYSTEMS 6 CAYMAN 2007 128 NOTES...
Page 160: ...ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS HOUSE 8 156 CAYMAN 2007 NOTES...
Page 226: ...INDEX 222 CAYMAN 2007 NOTES...
