1998 Chevrolet Venture Owner's Manual - Page 288

You can ask your dealerfor our trailering information or advice, or you can write us at: Chevrolet Customer Assistance Department P.O. Box 7047 Troy, MI 48007-7047 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 or gross weight of your vehicle.The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo you may carry in it, and the people who will be riding in the vehicle. And if you will tow a trailer, you must add thetongue load to theGVW because your vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See "Loading Your Vehicle" in the Indexfor more information about your vehicle's maximum 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're using 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. 4-35