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Weight
of
the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load
(A)
of any trailer is an important
weight to measure because it affects the total capacity
weight of your vehicle. The capacity weight 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 subtract the tongue
load from your vehicle’s capacity weight because your
vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See “Loading
Your Vehicle” in the Index for more information about
vour vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
A
B
If
you’re using
a
weight-carrying 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.
Total
Weight
on
Your
Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the
recommended pressure for cold tires. You’ll find these
numbers on the Certification label at the rear edge of the
driver’s door or see “Loading Your Vehicle”
in
the Index.
Then be sure
you
don’t go over the
GVW
limit for your
vehicle, including the weight
of
the trailer tongue.
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