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Driving your vehicle Vehicle weight
Weight of the trailer tongue
The tongue load of any trailer is an
important weight to measure because it
affects the total gross vehicle weight
(GVW) of your vehicle. This 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 tow a trailer, you must add
the tongue load to the GVW because
your vehicle will also be carrying that
weight.
The trailer tongue should weigh a maxi
-
mum of 10% of the total loaded trailer
weight, within the limits of the maximum
trailer tongue load permissible.
After you have loaded your trailer, weigh
the trailer and then the tongue sepa
-
rately to see if the weights are accept
-
able. If they are not, you may be able to
correct them simply by moving some
items around in the trailer.
僅 Never load a trailer with more weight
in the rear than in the front. The front
should be loaded with approximately
60% of the total trailer load; the rear
should be loaded with approximately
40% of the total trailer load.
僅 Never exceed the maximum weight
limits of the trailer or trailer towing
equipment. Improper loading can
result in damage to your vehicle and/
or personal injury. Check weights and
loading at a commercial scale or high
-
way patrol office equipped with
scales.
僅 An improperly loaded trailer can
cause loss of vehicle control.
Vehicle weight
This section will give you guidance on
the proper loading of your vehicle to
keep your loaded vehicle weight within
its design rating capability. Properly
loading your vehicle will help you use
the vehicle's design performance to
maximum advantage. Before loading
your vehicle, familiarize yourself with the
following terms for determining your
vehicle's weight ratings, which are used
in the vehicle's specifications and on the
certification label:
Base curb weight
This is the weight of the vehicle includ
-
ing all standard equipment. It does not
include passengers, cargo, or optional
equipment.
Vehicle curb weight
This is the weight of the vehicle includ
-
ing high voltage battery and all standard
equipment. It does not include passen
-
gers, cargo, or optional equipment.
Cargo weight
This figure includes all weight added to
the Base Curb Weight, including cargo
and optional equipment.
GAW (Gross axle weight)
This is the total weight placed on each
axle (front and rear) - including vehicle
curb weight and all payload.
GAWR (Gross axle weight rating)
This is the maximum allowable weight
that can be carried by a single axle (front
or rear). These numbers are shown on
the certification label.
The total load on each axle must never
exceed its GAWR.
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