1996 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 184

If you're using a "dead-weight" hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10%of the total loaded trailer The tongue load(A) of any traileris an important weight (€3).If you have a "weight-distributing" hitch, weight to measure because it affects the total capacity (A) the trailer tongue should weigh 12%of the total weight of yourvehicle. The capacity weight includes the loaded trailer weight (B). curb weightof the vehicle, any cargo you carry in may After you've loaded your trailer, weigh trailer and the it, and the people who will be ridingthe vehicle. And in then the tongue, separately, see if the weights me to if you will tow a trailer, you must subtract the tongue _. proper. If they aren't,you may beable to get them right load from your vehicle's capacity weight because your in simply by moving some items around the trailer. too. vehicle will be carrying that weight, See "Loading Your Vehicle" in the Index for more information about Total Weight onYour Vehicle's Tires yow vehicle's maximum load capacity. Be sureyour vehicle's tires are inflated tothe recornended pressure for cold tires. You'll find these numbers onthe Certification labelat the rear edge of the driver's door or see "Loading Your Vehicle" in the go Index. Then be sure you don'tover the GVW limit of the trailer for your vehicle, including weight the tongue. Weight of the Trailer Tongue r B . ' . : 4-36