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If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an
investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists
in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your dealer, or Allmand.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-
9153); go to http:// www.safercar.gov; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20590.
You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle
safety from http://www.safercar.gov.
Reporting Safety Defects to the Canadian
Government
If you live in Canada, and you believe that the vehicle
has a safety defect, notify Transport Canada immediately,
and notify Allmand. Call Transport Canada at 1-800-333-
0510; go to: www.tc.gc.ca/recalls (English) www.tc.gc.
ca/rappels (French); or write to: Transport Canada Motor
Vehicle Safety Directorate Defect Investigations and
Recalls Division, 80 Noel Street, Gatineau, QC J8Z 0A1
Reporting Safety Defects to Allmand
In addition to notifying NHTSA (or Transport Canada) in
a situation like this, notify Allmand. Contact the Allmand
service department at 1-800-562-1373, go to www.
allmand.com, or write to: Allmand Bros., Inc.P.O. Box 888
Holdrege, NE 68949.
Tire Safety Information
The following section contains tire safety information as
required by 49 CFR 575.6. It will cover the following:
(i) Tire labeling, including a description and explanation
of each marking on the tires provided with the
vehicle, and information about the location of the Tire
Identification Number (TIN);
(ii) Recommended tire inflation pressure, including a
description and explanation of:
(A) Recommended cold tire inflation pressure,
(B) The vehicle placard and tire inflation pressure
label and their location in the vehicle
(C) Adverse safety consequences of underinflation
(including tire failure), and
(D) Measuring and adjusting air pressure to achieve
proper inflation;
(iii) Glossary of tire terminology, including ''cold
tire pressure,'' ''maximum inflation pressure,'' and
''recommended inflation pressure,'' and other non-
technical terms;
(iv) Tire care, including maintenance and safety
practices;
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(v) Vehicle load limits, including a description and
explanation of:
(A) Locating and understanding load limit information,
total load capacity, seating capacity, towing capacity, and
cargo capacity,
(B) Calculating total and cargo load capacities with
varying seating configurations including quantitative
examples showing/illustrating how the vehicle's cargo and
luggage capacity decreases as the combined number and
size of occupants increases,
(C) Determining compatibility of tire and vehicle load
capabilities,
(D) Adverse safety consequences of overloading on
handling and stopping and on tires.
1. Steps for Determining Correct Load
Limit—Trailer
Determining the load limits of a trailer includes more
than understanding the load limits of the tires alone.
On all trailers there is a Federal certification / VIN label
that is located on the forward half of the left (road) side
of the unit. This certification / VIN label will indicate the
trailer's Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). This is the
most weight the fully loaded trailer can weigh. It will also
provide the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). This is
the most a particular axle can weigh. If there are multiple
axles, the GAWR of each axle will be provided.
If your trailer has a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less,
thereis a vehicle placard located in the same location
as the certification label described above. This placard
provides tire and loading information. In addition, this
placard will show a statement regarding maximum cargo
capacity. Cargo can be added to the trailer, up to the
maximum weight specified on the placard. The combined
weight of the cargo is provided as a single number. In any
case, remember: the total weight of a fully loaded trailer
can not exceed the stated GVWR.
For trailers with living quarters installed, the weight of
water and propane also need to be considered. The
weight of fully filled propane containers is considered
part of the weight of the trailer before it is loaded with
cargo, and is not considered part of the disposable cargo
load. Water however, is a disposable cargo weight and is
treated as such. If there is a fresh water storage tank of
100 gallons, this tank when filled would weigh about 800
pounds. If more cargo is being transported, water can
be off-loaded to keep the total amount of cargo added
to the vehicle within the limits of the GVWR so as not to
overload the vehicle. Understanding this flexibility will
allow you, the owner, to make choices that fit your travel
needs.
When loading your cargo, be sure it is distributed evenly
to prevent overloading front to back and side to side.
Heavy items should be placed low and as close to the
axle positions as reasonable. Too many items on one
side may overload a tire. The best way to know the actual
weight of the vehicle is to weigh it at a public scale. Talk
to your dealer to discuss the weighing methods needed
to capture the various weights related to the trailer. This
would include the weight empty or unloaded, weights per
axle, wheel, hitch or king-pin, and total weight.
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