Pontiac 1998 Grand Am Owner's Manual page 194

You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or
advice, or you can write us at:
Pontiac Customer Assistance Center
One Pontiac Plaza
Pontiac, Michigan 48340-2952
In Canada, write to:
General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario LlH 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. And if you 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" in the Index for more information about your
vehicle's maximum load capacity.
A
B
If you're using
a
weight-carrying hitch, the trailer
tongue (A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (B). If you have a weight-distributing
hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 12 percent 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.
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