KKK-A-1822 E
3.5.3
GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR).
The ambulance gross vehicle weight rating shall equal or exceed the combination of the vehicle's
curb weight and payload weight. The chassis manufacturer's rating label shall show the actual
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and the gross axle weight rating (GAWR) of the vehicle
(also see 3.19).
3.5.4
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION.
To provide for maximum safety, purchasers and manufacturers shall locate vehicle mounted
components, equipment, and supplies to provide a vehicle that is laterally balanced and has
front/rear loading that is proportional to axle ratings. The weight distribution of a properly
loaded ambulance on a level surface shall permit conformance to the braking requirements in
FMVSS 105 and for air brake vehicles FMVSS 121. The right and left wheel of each axle (at
curb weight see 3.5.1) of a completed ambulance shall be weighed to determine weight
distribution. The weight between the right and left side of a given axle, when on a level surface,
shall be within 5 percent when calculated in accordance with 4.4.3.1 and tested in accordance
with AMD Standard 013. The ambulance manufacturer shall locate the center of gravity (CG)
of the ambulance/ambulance body to determine and assure the purchaser that the CG of the
completed ambulance does not exceed the maximum limits set by the chassis manufacturer. To
meet the above weight distribution requirements, consideration shall be given by the purchaser
and manufacturer to locate equipment and components to permit inherently proper lateral balance,
front/rear axle loading, and center of gravity.
WARNING: AMBULANCE PURCHASERS SHOULD PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION
TO THE FRONT/REAR WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION OF THE VEHICLE IN
ORDER TO MAXIMIZE HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS, TRACTION,
AND BRAKING PERFORMANCE. WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION SHOULD
BE PROPORTIONAL TO THE FRONT AND REAR GAWR'S.
3.5.5
RATINGS.
Vehicle and component ratings shall be the chassis manufacturer's published ratings and
shall not be raised above the chassis manufacturer's rating. When ratings are not published
or chassis has been modified, the verification data of the component manufacturer's rating
shall be made available to the appropriate offices of the procuring activity.
3.5.6
CAB TO AXLE (CA), TYPE I AND III VEHICLES.
Cab to axle (CA) dimension of the vehicle chassis shall permit a minimum of 50 percent of
the outside body length (including cab extensions) forward of the rear axle centerline, plus
cab to body clearance. Bodies designed with wheel openings shall have the rear wheels
centered, +/- 5 cm (2 in.) longitudinally, within the opening, and +/- 13 mm (0.5 in.)
laterally.
3.6
CHASSIS, POWER UNIT, AND COMPONENTS.
3.6.1
CHASSIS-FRAME.
The chassis shall include the chassis manufacturer's ambulance component package or, if not
available, chassis manufacturer's heavy duty components that will enhance vehicles reliability,
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