Tongue Weight Calculator

Tongue weight is the downward force your trailer's hitch exerts on your tow vehicle — too little or too much can cause dangerous sway or steering loss. Enter your Gross Trailer Weight and Target Tongue Weight Percentage into the Tongue Weight Calculator to find your Recommended Tongue Weight. You'll also see the safe minimum (10%) and maximum (15%) tongue weight limits for your trailer.

lbs

Total loaded weight of your trailer

12 %
8 %18 %

Recommended range is 10-15%

ft

Total length of trailer body

ft

Distance from trailer axle center to rear of trailer

Results

Recommended Tongue Weight

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Minimum Tongue Weight (10%)

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Maximum Tongue Weight (15%)

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Selected Percentage

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is tongue weight?

Tongue weight is the downward force exerted at the vehicle-trailer coupling point when your trailer is hooked up for towing. It's the amount of weight pressing down on your hitch ball.

What percentage of trailer weight should tongue weight be?

Tongue weight should typically be 10-15% of the gross trailer weight. This range ensures proper weight distribution, vehicle control, and trailer stability during towing.

What happens if tongue weight is too light?

Too little tongue weight (less than 10%) can cause trailer sway, poor braking performance, and difficulty steering. The trailer may become unstable at highway speeds.

What happens if tongue weight is too heavy?

Excessive tongue weight (over 15%) can cause the rear of your tow vehicle to sag, lift the front wheels reducing steering control, strain the hitch, and exceed your vehicle's tongue weight capacity.

How do I measure actual tongue weight?

You can measure tongue weight using a tongue weight scale, bathroom scale with a board and pipe, or by weighing your vehicle with and without the trailer attached at a truck scale.

How can I adjust tongue weight?

Adjust tongue weight by redistributing cargo in the trailer. Move heavy items forward to increase tongue weight, or move them toward the rear (but ahead of the axles) to decrease it.

Does tongue weight count toward payload capacity?

Yes, tongue weight reduces your vehicle's available payload capacity. Make sure your vehicle can handle both the tongue weight and any cargo or passengers in the vehicle.