1994 Oldsmobile 88 Owner's Manual - Page 158

Your Driving and the Road Hitches It's importantto 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 rules to follow: Will you have to make any holes in I I the body of your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do, then hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should be sure to seal the holes later when weigh 12%of the total loaded trailer you remove the hitch. If you don't weight (B). seal them, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into After you've loaded your trailer, weigh your vehicle (see Carbon Monoxide in the trailer and then the tongue, the Index). Dirt and water can, too. separately, to see if the weights are proper. If they aren't, you may be able The bumpers on your vehicleare not to get them right simply by moving intended for hitches. Do not attach some items around in the trailer. rental hitches or other bumper-type hitches to them. Use only a frameTotal Weight on Your Vehicle's mounted hitch that does not attachto Tires the bumper. Be sure your vehicle's tires are inflated Safety Chains to the limit for coldtires. You'll find You should always attach chains these numbers on the Tire-Loading Information label at the rear edge of the between your vehicle and yourtrailer. Cross the safety chains under the driver's door or see Loading Your tongue of the trailer so that the tongue Vehicle in the Index. Then be sure you will not drop tothe road if it becomes don't go over the GVW limit for your separated from the hitch. Instructions vehicle. 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 includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it, the and people who will be riding in the vehicle. And if you will tow a trailer, you must subtract the tongue load from your vehicle's capacity weight because your vehicle will becarrying that weight, too. See Loading Your Vehicle in the Index for more information about your vehicle's maximumload capacity. If you're using a "dead-weight" hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10% of the total loaded trailer weight (B). If you have a "weight-distributing" 156