1994 GMC Safari Owner's Manual - Page 179

Weight of the Trailer How heavy cana trailer safely be? It depends on how you planto use your rig. For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how much your vehicleis used to pull a trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle. You can ask your dealer for ourtrailering information or advice, or you can write us at the address listed in your Warranty andOwner Assistance Information Booklet. In Canada, write to General Motors of Canada Limited, Customer Assistance Center, 1908 Colonel Sam Drive, Oshawa, Ontario LlH 8P7. 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 willbe riding in the vehicle. And if you will tow a trailer, you must add the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle will becarrying that weight, too. See "Loading Your Vehicle" in the Index for more information about your vehicle's maximumload capacity. A B 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" hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 12% of the total loaded trailer weight (B). After you've loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and then thetongue, 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. 4-25