GMC 2004 Sierra 1500 Pickup, Owner'S Manual

Page: 383 / 588

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. If you have a lot of options, equipment,
passengers or cargo in your vehicle, it will reduce the
tongue weight your vehicle can carry, which will
also reduce the trailer weight your vehicle can tow. 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 on page 4-57
for more information about your 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 600 lbs. (272 kg) for the 1500 series, and
up to a maximum of 600 lbs. (272 kg) for the
2500 series with a weight carrying hitch. The trailer
tongue weight (A) should be 10 percent to 15 percent of
the total loaded trailer weight, up to a maximum of
1,000 lbs. (453 kg) for the 1500 series and up to
a maximum of 1,500 lbs. (680 kg) for the 2500 series
with a weight distributing hitch.
4-87