Weight Of The Trailer Tongue - GMC SIERRA 1995 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 Assistance Center
1908 Colonel Sam Drive
Oshawa, Ontario L l H 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 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" 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.
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