2014 Nissan Maxima Towing Guide - Page 14

GROSS COMBINED WEIGHT (GCW) The Gross Combined Weight (GCW) is the total weight of the tow vehicle with all passengers, cargo, and fuel, plus the total weight of the trailer and all its cargo. To determine the GCW, simply weigh your vehicle when fully loaded and ready to tow, and add in the weight of the loaded trailer. The GCW you come up with must not exceed the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) for your vehicle. Refer to your vehicle owner's manual to view the maximum GCWR specification listed for your vehicle. TRAILER TONGUE/KING PIN LOAD The amount of trailers weight pressing down on the tow vehicle hitch ball is called trailer tongue load (conventional trailer) or king pin load (5th wheel and gooseneck trailers). To measure trailer tongue/king pin load, place the tongue of the trailer on a scale when the trailer is not attached to the vehicle. A separate vehicle jack - not the trailer jack - should be used, as the location of the trailer jack is rearward of the trailer tongue and will not give you an accurate measurement of the true tongue/king pin load. Make sure the vehicle jack is placed directly under the trailer tongue coupler, and the tongue is set at the height/level of the tow vehicle hitch. For proper handling, you must keep conventional trailer tongue load between 10-15% of the actual trailer weight, within the limits of the maximum trailer tongue load allowable. 2014 NISSAN Towing Guide 13