🚚 Trailer Tongue Weight Calculator
Tongue weight percentage = tongue weight ÷ loaded trailer weight × 100 — and it should land in the 10–15% range for safe, sway-free towing.
12%
Tongue weight percentage
300–450 lb
Recommended range (10–15%)
Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer coupler puts on the hitch ball. For a conventional trailer it should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight: too little invites dangerous sway, too much overloads the hitch and lightens the tow vehicle's steering. Adjust by moving cargo forward (more tongue weight) or back (less). Always stay within your hitch and vehicle ratings. 🔒 In your browser.
How the trailer tongue weight calculator works
Tongue weight is the downward force the loaded trailer puts on the hitch ball. Divide it by the total loaded trailer weight and multiply by 100 to get the percentage. This tool compares that figure against the recommended 10–15% band for conventional (bumper-pull) trailers and shows the actual weight range that band represents, so you know your target in pounds or kilograms.
Too little tongue weight (under ~10%) lets the trailer fishtail and sway dangerously; too much (over ~15%) overloads the hitch and lifts weight off the tow vehicle's front wheels, hurting steering and braking. Adjust by shifting cargo: move it forward of the axle to add tongue weight, rearward to reduce it. Weigh the tongue with a dedicated tongue-weight scale or a bathroom-scale method, and never exceed your hitch, ball or vehicle tow ratings.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage should trailer tongue weight be?
For a conventional bumper-pull trailer, 10–15% of the total loaded trailer weight. Fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers use a higher range (about 15–25%), but this calculator targets the standard 10–15%.
What happens if tongue weight is too low?
The trailer becomes prone to swaying and fishtailing at speed, which can cause loss of control. If you're under ~10%, move cargo forward, ahead of the trailer axle.
What if tongue weight is too high?
It overloads the hitch and pushes down the rear of the tow vehicle, lightening the front wheels and degrading steering and braking. Shift some cargo rearward to bring it back into range.
How do I measure tongue weight?
Use a tongue-weight scale, a truck scale, or the bathroom-scale-and-beam method. Weigh the trailer fully loaded the way you'll tow it, since cargo placement changes the number.