1996 Oldsmobile Silhouette Owner's Manual - Page 206

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 the tongue load to the GVW because your vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See "Loading Your Vehicle" inthe Index formore 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 be able to get them right simply by moving some itemsaround in the trailer. Total Weight on Yo Vehicle's Tires Be sure your vehicle's tires are inflated to the limit for cold tires. You'll find these numbers on the CertificationEire label at the rear edge of the driver's door or see "Tire Loading" in the Index. Then be sure you don't go over the GVW limit for your vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue. A B 4-32