WARNING

Never exceed the maximum load limits explained in the following.

Exceeding the maximum load limits could cause personal injury and/or vehicle damage.

CAUTION

● AAdequate size trailer brakes are required when the trailer and its cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg) total weight.

● Before towing a trailer, check the trailer total weight, GVW, GAWs and tongue load. Make sure the load and its distribution in your vehicle and trailer are acceptable.

Total trailer weight

The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus its cargo load) must never exceed the maximum weight in the following table.

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) must never exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the combined total of the weight of the vehicle, driver, passengers, luggage, trailer hitch, trailer tongue load and any other optional equipment installed on your vehicle.

Therefore, the GVW changes depending on the situation. Determine the GVW each time before going on a trip by putting your vehicle and trailer on a vehicle scale.

GVWR is shown on the certification label located on the driver’s door of your vehicle.

Gross Axle Weight (GAW) and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)

The total weight applied to each axle (GAW) must never exceed the Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR). The front and rear GAWs can be adjusted by relocating passengers and luggage inside the vehicle.

The front and rear GAWR are also shown on the certification label.

To check both GVWR and GAWR and to confirm that the total weight and weight distribution are within safe driving limits, you should have your vehicle and trailer weighed at a commercial weighing station.

Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to prevent a change in weight distribution while driving.

Tongue load

Ensure that the trailer tongue load is from 8 to 11 percent of the total trailer weight and does not exceed the maximum value of 175 lbs (80 kg).

NOTE

For vehicles with trailer brakes, the trailer tongue load exceeds 175 lbs (80 kg) when calculated at 8% of the maximum total trailer weight.

Even in this case, the maximum value is 175 lbs (80 kg).

The tongue load can be weighed with a bathroom scale as shown in the illustration above. When weighing the tongue load, be sure to position the towing coupler at the height at which it would be during actual towing, using a jack as shown.

The tongue load can be adjusted by proper distribution of the load in the trailer.

Never load the trailer with more weight in the back than in the front; approximately 60 percent of the trailer load should be in the front and approximately 40 percent in the rear. Also, distribute the load as evenly as possible on both the left and right sides.

Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to prevent a change in weight distribution while driving.

WARNING

If the trailer is loaded with more weight in the back of trailer’s axle than in the front, the load is taken off the rear axle of the towing vehicle.

This may cause the rear wheels to skid, especially during braking or when vehicle speed is reduced during cornering, resulting in oversteer, spin out and/or jackknifing.