STI0542
Tongue load
When using a weight carrying or a weight
distributing hitch, keep the tongue load
between 10 to 15% of the total trailer load
within the maximum tongue load limits
shown in the following“Towing Load/
Specification” chart. If the tongue load
becomes excessive, rearrange cargo to
allow for proper tongue load.
TI1012M
MAXIMUM GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT
(GVW)/MAXIMUM GROSS AXLE
WEIGHT (GAW)
The GVW of the towing vehicle must not
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR) shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S.
certification label. The GVW equals the
combined weight of the unloaded vehicle,
passengers, luggage, hitch, trailer tongue
load and any other optional equipment. In
addition, front or rear GAW must not
exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR) shown on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.
S. certification label. Towing capacities are calculated assuming
a base vehicle with driver and any options
required to achieve the rating. Additional
passengers, cargo and/or optional equip-
ment, such as the trailer hitch, will add
weight to the vehicle and reduce your
vehicle’s maximum towing capacity and
trailer tongue load.
The vehicle and trailer need to be weighed
to confirm the vehicle is within the GVWR,
Front GAWR, Rear GAWR, Gross Combined
Weight Rating (GCWR) and Towing capacity.
All vehicle and trailer weights can be
measured using platform type scales com-
monly found at truck stops, highway weigh
stations, building supply centers or sal-
vage yards.
To determine the available payload capa-
city for tongue load, use the following
procedure.
1. Locate the GVWR on the F.M.V.S.S./C.M.
V.S.S. certification label.
2. Weigh your vehicle on the scale with all of the passengers and cargo that are
normally in the vehicle when towing a
trailer.
3. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the GVWR. The remaining amount is the
Technical and consumer information9-21
9-22Technical and consumer information
available maximum tongue load.
To determine the available towing capacity,
use the following procedure.
1. Find the GCWR for your vehicle on the “Towing Load/Specification” chart
found later in this section.
2. Subtract the actual vehicle weight from the GCWR. The remaining amount is the
available maximum towing capacity.
To determine the Gross Trailer Weight,
weigh your trailer on a scale with all
equipment and cargo, that are normally
in the trailer when it is towed. Make sure
the Gross trailer weight is not more than
the Gross Trailer Weight Rating shown on
the trailer and is not more than the
calculated available maximum towing ca-
pacity.
Also weigh the front and rear axles on the
scale to make sure the Front Gross Axle
Weight and Rear Gross Axle Weight are not
more than Front Gross Axle Weight and
Rear Gross Axle Weight on the F.M.V.S.S./C.
M.V.S.S. certification label. The cargo in the
trailer and vehicle may need to be moved
or removed to meet the specified ratings.
Example: .
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) as weighed
on a scale - including passengers,
cargo and hitch - 5,073 lb. (2,301 kg).
. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
from F.M.V.S.S./C.M.V.S.S. certification
label - 5,301 lb. (2,404 kg).
. Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
from “Towing Load/Specification” chart
- 7,355 lb. (3,336 kg).
. Maximum Trailer towing capacity from
“ Towing Load/Specification” chart -
2,000 lb. (907 kg).
5,301 lb. (2,404 kg) GVWR
− 5,073 lb. (2,301 kg) GVW
= 228 lb. (103 kg) Available for tongue
weight
7,355 lb. (3,336 kg) GCWR
− 5,073 lb. (2,301 kg) GVW
= 2,282 lb. (1,035 kg) Capacity available for
towing
228 lb. (103 kg) / Available tongue weight
2,282 lb. (1,035 kg) Available capacity = 10 % tongue weight
The available towing capacity may be less
than the maximum towing capacity due to
the passenger and cargo load in the
vehicle. Remember to keep trailer tongue weight
between 10 to 15% of the trailer weight. If
the tongue load becomes excessive, re-
arrange the cargo to obtain the proper
tongue load. Do not exceed the 10 to 15%
tongue weight specification even if the
calculated available tongue weight is
greater than 15%. If the calculated tongue
weight is less than 10%, reduce the total
trailer weight to match the available
tongue weight.
Always verify that available capacities are
within the required ratings.
