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Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total capacity
weight of your vehicle. The capacity weight includes the
curb weight of the velucle, any cargo you may carry in
it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And
if you will tow a trailer, you must subtract the tongue
load from your vehicle's capacity weight because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See "Loading
Your Vehicle" in the Index for more information about
your vehicle's maximum load capacity.
A
B
If you're using a "dead-weight" hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh 10% of the total loaded
trailer weight
(B).
If
you have a "weight-distributing"
hitch, the trailer tongue
(A)
should weigh 12% of the
total loaded trailer weight (B).
After you've loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and
then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights
are
proper. If they aren't, you may be able to get them right
simply by moving some items around in the trailer.
Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires
Be sure your vehicle's tires are inflated to the
recommended pressure for cold tires. You'll find these
numbers on the Tire-Loading Information label (found
on the rear edge of the driver's door or on the inside of
the trunk lid) or see "Loading Your Vehicle" in the
Index. Then be sure you don't go over the GVW limit
for your vehicle, including the weight of the trailer
tongue.
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