Enter your Gross Trailer Weight, Tongue Weight, Cargo Weight, and key hitch measurements into this Trailer Sway Control Calculator to get your Tongue Weight Percentage, Weight Distribution Required, Sway Control Status, and a clear safety assessment.
Tongue Weight Percentage
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Weight Distribution Required
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Sway Control Status
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Recommended Hitch Capacity
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The ideal tongue weight should be 10-15% of the gross trailer weight. This range provides optimal stability and control while preventing excessive stress on the tow vehicle's rear axle.
Proper tongue weight keeps the trailer stable by maintaining downward pressure on the hitch. Too little tongue weight can cause dangerous trailer sway, while too much can overload the rear axle and reduce steering control.
Weight distribution hitches are recommended when your trailer's gross weight exceeds 50% of your tow vehicle's weight, or when tongue weight exceeds the vehicle's tongue weight rating without weight distribution.
Trailer sway is caused by improper weight distribution, crosswinds, passing vehicles, or road conditions. Prevent it by maintaining proper tongue weight, using sway control devices, and loading cargo properly.
Use a tongue weight scale or bathroom scale with a board. Place the trailer tongue on the scale with the trailer level. The reading should be 10-15% of your gross trailer weight.
Yes, moving cargo forward increases tongue weight, while moving it backward decreases it. However, ensure the trailer remains balanced and doesn't exceed axle weight limits.
Gross trailer weight includes the empty trailer weight plus all cargo. Cargo weight is only the weight of items loaded into the trailer, not including the trailer's own weight.