Pontiac 2003 Sunfire Owner's Manual page 200

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
on page 4-33 for more information about your
vehicle's maximum load capacity.
L
A
B
If you're using a weight-carrying hitch or a
weight-distributing hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should
weigh 10-1 5 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
thev aren't. vou mav be able to get them right simplv bv
mo;i n g some items around in the trailer.
4-37