Filter
Top Products
r
Your
Driving and
the
Road
I
A
B
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 your vehicle’s
maximum load capacity.
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.
Total Weight
on
Your
Vehicle’s Tires
Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to
the
limit
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.
Hitches
It’s important to have the correct hitch
equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks
going by, and rough roads are a few
reasons why you’ll need the right hitch.
Here are some rules to follow:
0
Will you have to make any holes
in
the
body of your vehicle when you
install a trailer hitch? If you do, then
be sure to seal the holes later when
you
remove the hitch.
If
you don’t seal them, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can
get into your vehicle (see “Carbon
Monoxide”
in
the Index). Dirt and
water can. too.
...
126