1996 Oldsmobile Achieva Owner's Manual - Page 183

Weight of the Trailer Tongue The tongue load (A) of any trailer is important an weight to measure because it affects the total capacity weight of your vehicle. The capacity 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 will tow a trailer, you must subtract the tongue load from your vehicle's capacity weight because your vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See "Loading Your Vehicle" in theIndex for more information about your vehicle's maximum load capacity. If you're using a "dead-weight" hitch, the trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10% of the total loaded trailer weight (B). If you have a "weight-distributing" 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 maybe 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 the recommended pressure for cold tires. You'll find these numbers on theCertification label at the rear edge of the driver's door orsee "Loading Your Vehicle" in the Index. Then be sure you don't go over the GVW limit for your vehicle, including the weight of the trailer tongue. A B