Chevrolet 2009 Colorado, Owner'S Manual, Page: 243 / 418

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 Loading the Vehicle on page 4-33 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, up
to a maximum of 500 lbs (226 kg) with a weight
carrying hitch.
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