Weight Of The Trailer Tongue - GMC 2005 Envoy Owner's Manual

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General Motors of Canada Limited
Customer Communication Centre, 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 4-43
for more information about your vehicle's maximum
load capacity.
4-58
The trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 to 15 percent
of the total loaded trailer weight (B), up to a maximum
of 400 lbs (181 kg) with a weight carrying hitch. The
trailer tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent to
15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (A), up to
a maximum of 900 lbs (408 kg) for a weight
distributing hitch.
Do not exceed the maximum allowable tongue weight
for your vehicle. Choose the shortest hitch extension
that will position the hitch ball closest to the vehicle.
This will help reduce the effect of trailer tongue weight
on the rear axle.
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.