1993 Chevrolet Lumina Owner's Manual - Page 159

Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight to measure because it affects the totalcapacity weight of your vehicle. The capacity weight includesthe curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo youa carry init, my and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. Andif you willtow a trailer, you must subtract thetongue load from your vehicle's capacity weight because your vehicle be will carrying that weight, too. See the Index under Loading Your Vehicle for more informationabout your vehicle's maximum load capacity. The trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10% of the totalloaded 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 beable to get them right simply moving by some itemsaround in the trailer. Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires Be sure your vehicle'stires are inflated to thelimit for coldtires. You will find these numbers on the Certification labelat therear edge of the driver's door, or seethe Index under Tire Loading.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, largetrucks going by,and rough roads are a few reasons why you'll needthe right hitch. Here are some rulesto follow: Will you have to make any holesin 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 the Index under Carbon Monoxidein Exhaust.) Dirt and water can, too. The bumpers on your vehicle not are intended for hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other bumper-type hitches to them. Use only a framemounted hitch that does not attach to the bumper.