Weight Of The Trailer Tongue - Pontiac Montana SV6 2007 Owner's Manual

You can ask your dealer for our trailering
information or advice, or you can write us at
the address listed in your Warranty and Owner
Assistance Information Booklet.
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Center, 163-005
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7

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 389 for
more information about your vehicle's maximum
load capacity.
If you are using a weight-carrying or a
weight-distributing hitch, the trailer tongue
weight (A) should be 10 percent to 15 percent of
the total loaded trailer weight (B). Do not exceed
the maximum allowable tongue weight of 350 lbs
(159 kg) for your vehicle.
After you have loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer
and then the tongue, separately, to see if the
weights are proper. If they are not, you may be
able to get them right simply by moving some items
around in the trailer.
Trailering may be limited by the vehicle's ability
to carry tongue weight. Tongue weight cannot
cause the vehicle to exceed the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or the
RGAWR (Rear Gross Axle Weight Rating).
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