GMC 2012 Savana - Manual (Page 262)

Black plate (54,1) GMC Savana Owner Manual - 2012 - 2nd - 11/11/11
9-54 Driving and Operating
Ask your dealer for our trailering
information or advice, or write us at
our Customer Assistance Offices.
See Customer Assistance Offices
on page 13‑3 for more information.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is
an important weight to measure
because it affects the total gross
weight of the vehicle. The Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW) includes the
curb weight of the vehicle, any
cargo carried in it, and the people
who will be riding in the vehicle.
If there are a lot of options,
equipment, passengers, or cargo in
the vehicle, it will reduce the tongue
weight the vehicle can carry, which
will also reduce the trailer weight the
vehicle can tow. If towing a trailer,
the tongue load must be added to
the GVW because the vehicle will
be carrying that weight, too. See
Vehicle Load Limits on page 9‑10
for more information about the
vehicle's maximum load capacity.
The trailer tongue weight (A) should
be 10 percent to 15 percent of the
total loaded trailer weight (B), up to
a maximum of 181 kg (400 lbs) with
a weight carrying hitch. The trailer
tongue weight (A) should be
10 percent to 15 percent of the total
loaded trailer weight (B), up to a
maximum of 454 kg (1,000 lbs) with
a weight distributing hitch.
Do not exceed the maximum
allowable tongue weight for the
vehicle. Choose the shortest hitch
extension that will position the hitch
ball closest to the vehicle. This will
help reduce the effect of trailer
tongue weight on the rear axle.
After loading the trailer, weigh
the trailer and then the tongue,
separately, to see if the weights are
proper. If they are not, adjustments
might be made by moving some
items around in the trailer.
Trailering may be limited by the
vehicle's ability to carry tongue
weight. Tongue weight cannot cause
the vehicle to exceed the GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) or
the RGAWR (Rear Gross Axle
Weight Rating). The effect of
additional weight may reduce the
trailering capacity more than the
total of the additional weight.
It is important that the vehicle
does not exceed any of its
ratings — GCWR, GVWR, RGAWR,
Maximum Trailer Rating or Tongue
Weight. The only way to be sure it is
not exceeding any of these ratings
is to weigh the vehicle and trailer.