1997 Pontiac Firebird Owner's Manual - Page 199

You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice, or you can write us at: : Pontiac Division Customer Assistance Center One Pontiac Plaza Pontiac, MI 48340-2952 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 capacity weight of your vehicle. The capacity weight 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 subtract the tongue load from your vehicle's capacity weight because your vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See "Loading Your Vehicle" in the Index for more information about your vehicle's maximum loadcapacity. If you're using a weight-carrying hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (€3).If you have a weight-distributing hitch, thetrailer tongue (A) should weigh 12 percent of the total loaded trailer weight (€3). 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 thetrailer. in 4-34