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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 or gross weight
of the vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo
in it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle.
If there are a lot of options, equipment, passengers
and 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. And if towing
a trailer, the tongue load must be added to the GVW
because the vehicle will be carrying that weight, too.
See Loading Your Vehicle on page 4-22 for more
information about your vehicle’s maximum load
capacity.
When using a weight-carrying hitch or a
weight-distributing hitch, the trailer tongue (A)
should weigh 10 to 15 percent of the total loaded
trailer weight (B).
After the trailer is loaded, weigh the trailer and then
the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are
proper. The correct weight could be achieved simply
by moving some items around in the trailer.
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