RV and trailer law test (noncommercial Class A and B) · California DMV
Loading, weight and balance
Questions and answers
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Why is a passenger vehicle almost impossible to overload, unlike an RV?
Its space limits how much weight you can carry
In a passenger vehicle space, not weight, is the main concern. An RV is heavier and can be overloaded.
Loading and Overloading · Loading and Overloading Information for RVs and Trailers ↗ -
What can overloading lead to?
Tire failure and poor handling in an emergency maneuver
Tire failure or poor handling can leave the driver unable to control the vehicle during emergency maneuvers.
Loading and Overloading · Loading and Overloading Information for RVs and Trailers ↗ -
Where is the certification tag usually found on a travel trailer?
On the front left-side exterior wall
On travel trailers the load rating tag is usually on the front left-side exterior wall.
Loading and Overloading · Load Ratings for RVs ↗ -
Where is the certification tag usually found on a pickup camper?
On the back exterior wall
On a pickup camper the tag is usually on the back exterior wall.
Loading and Overloading · Load Ratings for RVs ↗ -
Where is the certification tag usually found on a tow vehicle?
On the driver’s side door frame
On tow vehicles the tag is usually on the driver’s side door frame.
Loading and Overloading · Load Ratings for RVs ↗ -
Where is the certification tag usually found on a motor home?
On the door edge or pillar, or near the driver’s position inside
On motor homes the tag is on the door edge or pillar, or inside near the driver’s position.
Loading and Overloading · Load Ratings for RVs ↗ -
You cannot find the load rating sticker on your RV. What should you do?
Check with your dealer
If you cannot locate the sticker, check with your dealer.
Loading and Overloading · Load Ratings for RVs ↗ -
What kind of scale do you use to weigh your RV?
A level, commercial platform scale
Weigh the RV on a level, commercial platform scale.
Loading and Overloading · Load Ratings for RVs ↗ -
How many separate weights do you obtain when weighing your RV?
Five
You take five weights: the whole vehicle, the front axle, the rear axle, the left side and the right side.
Loading and Overloading · Load Ratings for RVs ↗ -
Which is NOT one of the five weights taken when weighing an RV?
Each wheel on its own
The five weights are the entire vehicle, front axle, rear axle, left side and right side.
Loading and Overloading · Load Ratings for RVs ↗ -
Which parts are all affected by overloading?
Springs, wheels, axles and tires
Springs, wheels, axles and tires are all affected by overloading.
Loading and Overloading · Load Ratings for RVs ↗ -
Where do you find the inflation pressures you should pay close attention to?
Stamped on the sides of the tires
Pay close attention to the inflation pressures stamped on the sides of the tires.
Loading and Overloading · Load Ratings for RVs ↗ -
How should weight be spread between the left and right sides of your RV?
As equally as possible
Distribute weight as equally as possible on both sides. You will notice the need when turning and maneuvering.
Loading and Overloading · Load Ratings for RVs ↗ -
Why does a pickup with a camper pose its own weight distribution problem?
The camper is added to the truck as cargo
The camper is carried as cargo and is not built on its own chassis or towed. GVWR and GAWR listings still apply.
Loading and Overloading · Load Ratings for RVs ↗ -
Where are the “center of gravity zones” for a pickup camper listed?
In the truck and camper owner’s manuals
Manufacturers must give the weight distribution limits, which are listed in the truck and camper owner’s manuals.
Loading and Overloading · Load Ratings for RVs ↗ -
What is the main aim when balancing a camper on a pickup?
Keeping the vehicle from fishtailing or becoming top heavy
The camper’s weight must not make the vehicle fishtail or top heavy and unstable.
Loading and Overloading · Load Ratings for RVs ↗ -
What is the biggest problem in loading a motorcycle trailer?
Getting equal weight on each wheel
The biggest problem is loading the trailer so there is equal weight on each wheel.
Loading and Overloading · Loading a Motorcycle Trailer ↗ -
How does unused space in a motorcycle trailer affect the load?
The less unused space, the fewer load shifting problems
Less unused space means fewer load shifting problems.
Loading and Overloading · Loading a Motorcycle Trailer ↗ -
You carry an ice chest inside a motorcycle trailer. Where should it go?
Over the axle
An ice chest inside the trailer should be packed over the axle.
Loading and Overloading · Loading a Motorcycle Trailer ↗ -
You carry the ice chest on the trailer tongue. What must you remember as you use up its contents?
Readjust the weight to keep the proper tongue weight
As the chest empties, readjust the weight to maintain proper tongue weight.
Loading and Overloading · Loading a Motorcycle Trailer ↗ -
When should an ice chest carried on the trailer tongue be loaded?
At the same time you load the trailer
Load it at the same time as the trailer so you get the proper tongue weight.
Loading and Overloading · Loading a Motorcycle Trailer ↗ -
What does loading the motorcycle’s saddle bags help with when towing a trailer?
Traction and handling
Loaded saddle bags assist with traction and handling when towing a motorcycle trailer.
Loading and Overloading · Loading a Motorcycle Trailer ↗ -
When should frequently needed items be packed in a motorcycle trailer?
Last, so they end up on top
Pack frequently needed items last so they will be at the top of the trailer.
Loading and Overloading · Loading a Motorcycle Trailer ↗ -
What limit must a loaded motorcycle trailer never exceed?
Its GVWR
Never overload the trailer beyond the GVWR.
Loading and Overloading · Loading a Motorcycle Trailer ↗ -
In which directions must a trailer’s load be properly distributed?
Front to rear and left to right
Trailers are weighed to make sure loads are distributed front to rear as well as left to right.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Weighing a Trailer ↗ -
What counts toward the GVWR of the tow vehicle?
Its curb weight, the payload and the hitch weight
Do not exceed the tow vehicle’s GVWR, which takes in curb weight, payload and hitch weight.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Weighing a Trailer ↗ -
What is hitch weight?
The share of the trailer’s weight placed on the coupler of the tow vehicle
Hitch weight is the percentage of the trailer weight that rests on the trailer coupler of the tow vehicle.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Weighing a Trailer ↗ -
Why must payload and hitch weight be divided evenly between the tow vehicle’s axles?
To stay within the weight limits and avoid oversteering
Even division keeps the axles within their GAWR limits and avoids oversteering problems.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Weighing a Trailer ↗ -
About what share of a trailer’s gross weight is designed to rest on the hitching mechanism?
10 to 15 percent
About 10 to 15 percent of gross weight is loaded in front of the front axle and onto the hitch.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Weighing a Trailer ↗ -
A conventional trailer weighs 6,000 lbs. gross. About how much should rest on the hitch?
600 to 900 lbs.
Ten to fifteen percent of 6,000 lbs. is 600 to 900 lbs.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Weighing a Trailer ↗ -
Your trailer is not stable on the road. What weight problem may be the cause?
Not enough weight on the hitch
An unstable trailer may not have enough weight on the hitch.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Weighing a Trailer ↗ -
For the first hitch weight reading, how is the loaded trailer parked on the scale?
Coupler beyond the end of the scale, tongue jack post on the scale
Park so the hitch coupler extends beyond the scale while the tongue jack post is on it.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Weighing a Trailer ↗ -
In the hitch weight method, what do you do before unhitching the tow vehicle?
Block the trailer wheels
Block the trailer wheels, unhitch the tow vehicle and take a reading.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Weighing a Trailer ↗ -
For the second reading in the hitch weight method, how is the tongue supported?
On a jack stand or blocks under the coupler, beyond the scale
A jack stand or 4 x 4 blocks under the coupler and beyond the scale hold the tongue jack post off the scale.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Weighing a Trailer ↗ -
How is the hitch weight finally worked out from the scale readings?
By subtracting one of the two readings from the other
The hitch weight is the difference between the two readings.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Weighing a Trailer ↗ -
The rear axle weight of your RV is low. Where is it best to load the heaviest supplies?
Toward the rear
If the rear axle weight is low, load the heaviest supplies toward the rear.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Weighing a Trailer ↗ -
At what height in the RV should the heaviest supplies be kept?
At the bottom
Keeping heavy supplies at the bottom keeps the center of gravity low and gives the best handling.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Weighing a Trailer ↗ -
For acceptable handling, what is the typical minimum hitch weight for a travel trailer?
10 percent of the trailer’s gross weight
Hitch weight for travel trailers should typically be at least 10 percent of gross weight, and in some cases 15 percent or more.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Balance ↗ -
What is the maximum hitch weight rating of the strongest load-distributing hitch?
1200 pounds
The strongest load-distributing hitch is rated for a maximum hitch weight of 1200 pounds.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Balance ↗ -
A trailer puts about 1200 pounds on the hitch. What should tow it?
A pickup truck or van
Most passenger car suspensions cannot handle that much weight, so use a pickup truck or van.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Balance ↗ -
What does it mean when a trailer fishtails?
It sways back and forth across the lane
Improper weight distribution can make the trailer fishtail, which means swaying back and forth across the lane.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Balance ↗ -
Your hitch weight is under 10 percent of gross trailer weight. How can you partly make up for it?
Load heavy supplies as far forward as possible
Heavy items such as tools and canned goods loaded far forward add hitch weight.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Hitch Adjustment ↗ -
Your trailer’s water tank is behind the axle. How much water should you travel with?
As little as possible
With the tank behind the axle, travel with little water to reduce weight in the rear.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Hitch Adjustment ↗ -
How do trailers with water tanks in front usually handle best?
With the tanks full
Full front tanks add to the hitch weight, so these trailers usually handle best that way.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Hitch Adjustment ↗ -
How high must the spring bars of a load-distributing hitch be rated?
For the hitch weight plus a safety margin of at least 10 percent
The spring bars must handle the trailer’s hitch weight plus a safety margin of at least 10 percent.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Hitch Adjustment ↗ -
Your trailer’s hitch weight is 800 lbs. What is the lowest spring bar rating that meets the handbook’s rule?
880 lbs.
The rating must cover the hitch weight plus at least 10 percent, and 800 plus 80 is 880 lbs.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Hitch Adjustment ↗ -
What does adequate rear suspension of the tow vehicle mean?
The vehicle sits relatively level before the trailer is hitched
Adequate rear suspension means the vehicle sits relatively level prior to hitching.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Hitch Adjustment ↗ -
After hitching, the rear of the tow vehicle drops an inch. What should the front do if the spring bars are set correctly?
Also drop an inch
Adjust the spring bars so the tow vehicle keeps roughly the same attitude, front and rear.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Hitch Adjustment ↗ -
The hitched trailer is not level. What should be changed?
The height of the hitch ball
If the trailer is not level, raise or lower the hitch ball as necessary.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Hitch Adjustment ↗ -
You cannot keep the tow vehicle from sagging in the rear. What may you need?
Spring bars rated for more weight
A sagging rear may mean the spring bars need a higher weight rating.
Towing Your Trailer Safely · Hitch Adjustment ↗ -
What is curb weight?
The weight of the vehicle with full fuel, water and propane tanks
Curb weight is the vehicle with full fuel, water and propane tanks.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
What does GAWR tell you?
The maximum weight each axle can safely carry
GAWR is the gross axle weight rating, the most weight each axle can safely carry.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
What is gross combination weight (GCW)?
The total weight of a powered unit plus trailer or trailers plus the cargo
GCW is the powered unit, the trailer or trailers and the cargo together.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
Who specifies the GCWR for a combination of vehicles?
The manufacturer
GCWR is the maximum GCW specified by the manufacturer for a specific combination of vehicles plus the load.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
What is gross weight?
The weight of the vehicle plus its load
Gross weight is the vehicle and its load together.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
What does GVWR mean for your RV?
The maximum weight it can carry, including driver, passengers and cargo
GVWR is the gross vehicle weight rating, the maximum including driver, passengers and cargo.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
How is payload worked out?
GVWR minus curb weight
Payload is found by subtracting the curb weight from the GVWR.
Glossary · Glossary ↗ -
An RV has a curb weight of 9,000 pounds and a GVWR of 11,500 pounds. What is its payload limit?
2,500 pounds
Payload is GVWR minus curb weight, and 11,500 minus 9,000 is 2,500 pounds.
Glossary · Glossary ↗