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 Vehicle Load Limits for more information.
The trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10-15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B).
After loading the trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are proper. If they are not, adjustments might be made by moving some items around in the trailer.
See also:
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX kg or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s
placard.
2. Determine the combined weight of the driver
and pass ...
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The headlamps, taillamps, parking lamps, back-up lamps, and license plate lamps
come on at night, or in areas with limited lighting, when the key is removed from
the ignition.
The dome lamps also ...
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It is very important to know how much weight your
vehicle can carry. This weight is called the
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all occupants, cargo, and all nonfactory-installed
...