Enter your Gross Trailer Weight, Trailer Length, and Distance from Axle to Rear, then set your Target Tongue Weight Percentage to calculate your Recommended Tongue Weight — plus the Minimum (10%) and Maximum (15%) Tongue Weight range so you know exactly how much hitch load keeps your tow setup safe and balanced.
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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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.