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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 gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.If
there are a lot of options, equipment,
passengers or cargo in the vehicle,
it will reduce the tongue weight
the vehicle can carry, which will also
reduce the trailer weight the
vehicle can tow. If towing a trailer,
the tongue load must be added
to the GVW because the vehicle will
be carrying that weight, too. See
Loading the Vehicle on page 4-35
for more information about the
vehicle’s maximum load capacity.
The trailer tongue weight (A) should
be 10 percent to 15 percent of
the total loaded trailer weight (B), up
to a maximum of 500 lbs (227 kg)
with a weight carrying hitch or
a weight distributing hitch.
Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for the
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.
If the spare tire carrier is mounted
on the back of the vehicle and
the hitch extension is too short,
the spare tire may interfere
with trailer coupling or trailer tongue
jack operation on some types of
trailers.
After loading the trailer, weigh the
trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they aren’t, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.
Driving Your Vehicle 4-45