1994 Oldsmobile Achieva Owner's Manual - Page 146

Your Driving and the Road Hitches It's important to have the correct hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks going by,and rough roads are a few reasons why you'll need the right hitch. Here are some rules to follow: Will you have to make any holes in the body of your vehicle when you install a trailer hitch? If you do, then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove the hitch. If you don't seal them, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into your vehicle (see Carbon Monoxide in the Index). Dirt andwater can, too. The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other bumper-type hitches to them.Use only a framemounted hitch thatdoes not attach to the bumper. Meight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an mportant weight to measure becauseit iffects the total capacity weight of your rehicle. The capacity weight includes .he curb weight of the vehicle, any :argo you maycarry in it, and the Ieople who will be riding in the vehicle. lnd if you will tow a trailer,you must ubtract thetongue load from your rehicle's capacity weight because your rehicle willbe carrying that weight, too. see Loading Your Vehicle in theIndex or more information about your lehicle's maximum load capacity. f you're using a "dead-weight" hitch, he trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10% of the total loaded trailer weight :B). If you have a "weight-distributing'' 144 hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 12% of the total loaded trailer weight (B). After you've loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue, 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 in the trailer. Total Weight on Your Vehicle's Tires Be sure your vehicle's tires are inflated to thelimit for coldtires. You'll find these numbers on the Certification label at therear edge of the driver's door or see Loading Your Vehicle in the Index. Then be sure don't go over the you GVW limit for your vehicle. Safety Chains You should alwaysattach chains between your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue of the trailer so that thetongue will not drop to the road if it becomesseparated from the hitch. Instructions about safety chains