[A/S] tow vehicle questions

[claudette beaulieu <cjbeau@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

In my search for a tow vehicle, I'm confused by something the salesman 
told me.

Everything I've read says you need to be sure that your front and rear 
axle weight ratings are enough to carry the load on the hitch.  I asked 
the salesman what the gross axle weight rating was for front & rear on 
the tow vehicle I'm considering -- he said 4,061 and 3,634.  That adds 
up to 7,695.  The vehicle's GVWR is 9,200.

Shouldn't the gross weight rating of front and rear axles total at least 
9,200?  On my car, the front and rear gross rating exactly equals the 
car's GVWR.  On my minivan, they total more than the vehicle's GVWR.

Also, for listmembers who have diesels, is an engine block heater a good 
  idea?  I'm hearing conflicting things.  I live in southern New 
England, and it does get below freezing at night fairly regularly.

Claudette