Weight Of The Trailer Tongue; Total Weight On Your Vehicle's Tires - GMC SAFARI 2004 Owner's Manual

Weight of the Trailer Tongue

The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight
to measure because it affects the total or gross weight of
your vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes
the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in
it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. If you
have a lot of options, equipment, passengers or cargo in
your vehicle, it will reduce the tongue weight your vehicle
can carry, which will also reduce the trailer weight your
vehicle can tow. And if you will tow a trailer, you must add
the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle will be
carrying that weight, too. See Loading Your Vehicle on
page 4-29 for more information about your vehicle's
maximum load capacity.
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The trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent to
15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight, up to a
maximum of 200 lbs (92 kg) with a weight carrying hitch.
The trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent to 15
percent of the total loaded trailer weight, up to a
maximum of 750 lbs (341 kg) with a weight
distributing hitch.
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 upper limit
for cold tires. You'll find these numbers on the
Certification/Tire label at the rear edge of the driver's
door or see Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-29.
Then be sure you don't go over the GVW limit for your
vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue. If
you use a weight distributing hitch, make sure you don't
go over the rear axle limit before you apply the weight
distribution spring bars.