Hyundai Tucson LM Quiz
Driving Your Vehicle

Tongue Load

In this manual: Driving Your Vehicle
Image Index — 6Seats and Safety System — 47Instrument Cluster — 45Convenience — 136Driving Your Vehicle — 63Driver Assistance System — 106Emergency Situations — 17Maintenance — 55Vehicle Information, Safety Defect Reporting, and Consumer Information — 9
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Tongue load is extremely important when setting up a trailer to tow with your vehicle. Excessive tongue load reduces front tire grip and steering control. For example, too little tongue load can make the trailer unstable, causing the trailer to sway because the trailer weight is shifted toward the rear.

The tongue load, measured at the hitch with the trailer fully loaded, must be within 10-15% of the total trailer weight.

Always check the load of your vehicle and trailer before driving. Check that the total load is within the permissible limits on a public scale. In addition, measure the tongue load with appropriate scales or a tongue gauge.

If a public scale is not available, estimate the weight of your cargo and add the weight value of your trailer (as specified by the trailer manufacturer). Refer to the trailer manual for additional information.

Never exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of your vehicle.

How to Weigh a Trailer Load on a Public Scale

Fully load the vehicle and trailer before driving onto the public scale. You and the passengers must remain in the vehicle while the measurement is being taken.

1. Measure the gross front axle weight.
2. Measure the gross vehicle weight.
3. Measure the gross rear axle weight.
4. Measure the gross combined weight (vehicle and trailer).
5. Measure the weight of the coupled trailer.
6. Measure the weight of the trailer without the hitch.

To calculate the tongue load, subtract (5) from (6).

After you have loaded the trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue separately to make sure the weights are correct. If not, you can correct them by simply moving some items within the trailer.

WARNING

To avoid serious injury or death:

  • Never load the trailer with more weight at the rear than at the front. Approximately 60% of the total trailer load must be at the front. Approximately 40% of the total trailer load must be at the rear.
  • Never exceed the maximum towing capacity or the trailer hitch equipment limits. Check the weight and load on an industrial scale or at a roadside inspection station equipped with scales.

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