One of the most critical aspects of safely operating a touring coach is knowing the weight involved and where it is placed. The first thing to determine is how much cargo is being loaded and confirming that it is within the capacity of the equipment being used. Determining WHERE that load is placed is critical to the way your rig will handle on the road. Do not try to guess what your touring coach weighs loaded. Load your touring coach including water, propane, etc and take it to a public scale. Weigh each axle of your vehicle. Refer to your axle weight and tire limits to see if you are within a safe range. Total all axle weights and make sure you are below the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). If you are not overloaded, make sure your load is balanced. Do not load too much on one side. A balanced load is much easier to tow or drive. Front to back balance is also important. Step back and look at your touring coach. Make sure there is not too much weight in the front or on the rear of the touring coach. Be sure to secure all items. Loose items can cause damage and can be a safety issue. Your safety depends on not overloading the touring coach, axles, and tires. To determine the actual weight of your vehicle with personal cargo and water, it must be weighed on scales as you plan to travel. The most common scales are those used by states to weigh trucks along the highway. In rural areas, grain elevators, gravel pits, and cement outlets are a good source. If you have trouble locating scales, a call to your State Highway Patrol will usually find them cooperative in assisting you.