1997 Chevrolet Tahoe Owner's Manual - Page 227

You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice, oryou can write us at the address listed in your Warranty and Owner Assistance Information Booklet. In Canada, write to: General Motorsof Canada Limited Customer Communication Centre 1908 Colonel Sam Drive Oshawa, OntarioLlH 8P7 Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongueload (A) of any trailer isan important weight to measure becauseit affects the total or gross weight of your vehicle. The GrossVehicle Weight (GVW) includesthe curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it, and the people who will be riding in thevehicle. And if you will tow a trailer, you must add the tongue loadto the GVW because your vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See "Loading Your Vehicle" in the Index for more information about your vehicle's maximum load capacity. B If you're using aweight-carrying hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (B). If you're using a weight-distributing hitch, the trailer tongue(A) should weigh 12 percent of the total loaded trailerweight (B). After you've loadedyour trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are proper. If they aren't, you may be able to get them right simply by moving some items around in the trailer.