1997 Pontiac Grand Am Owner's Manual - Page 188

You can ask yourdealer for our trailering information or advice, or you can write us at: Pontiac Customer Services Department One Pontiac Plaza Pontiac, Michigan 48340-2952 In Canada, write to: General Motors of Canada Limited Customer Communication Centre 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7 A B Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight to measure because it affects the total capacity weight of your vehicle. The capacity weight includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it, and the people who willbe riding in the vehicle. And if you will tow a trailer, you must subtract the tongue load from your vehicle'scapacity weight because your vehicle will becarrying that weight, too. See "Loading Your Vehicle"in the Index for more information about your vehicle'smaximum load capacity. If you're using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B). If you have a weight-distributing hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 12 percent of the total loaded 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 by moving some items around in the trailer. 4-37