The way a trailer’s weight is split between its axles and the hitch decides how it tows. Too little weight on the hitch and the trailer sways; too much and the tow vehicle’s rear axle and steering suffer.

Bumper-pull trailers should put 10–15% of their loaded weight on the hitch, and fifth wheels 15–25% on the kingpin. Every part of the hitch has its own rating, so pick a receiver class that covers both the trailer weight and the tongue weight.

The trailer’s tires carry everything that is not on the hitch. Check that their load rating covers that share with a safety margin.

Which hitch calculator do I need?

To find the right hitch weight for a bumper-pull trailer, use the tongue weight calculator; to measure it at home without a scale, use the bathroom-scale lever method. For fifth wheels and goosenecks, the pin weight calculators give the range and check it against your truck’s payload.

To choose hardware, the hitch class calculator matches your trailer and tongue weight to receiver classes I to V, and the hitch drop calculator finds the ball mount that tows the trailer level. The trailer tire load calculator checks that the trailer’s tires can carry what is left on the axles.

The weakest link rule

A hitch is a chain of parts: receiver, ball mount, ball, coupler, safety chains and the trailer frame. Each one has its own rating, and the lowest rating applies to the whole connection. A heavy-duty receiver with a light-duty ball mount is a light-duty hitch.

Ratings are printed on each part. When in doubt, look for the stamp or label rather than relying on the class of the receiver alone.

Related guides

Towing Weight Ratings Explained: GVWR, GCWR, GAWR and Payload: What each rating means, where to find it and which one limits you.
How to Match a Trailer to Your Truck: A Step-by-Step Weight Check: The seven checks to do before you buy or hitch a trailer.
How to Weigh Your Truck and Trailer at a Truck Scale: The three-pass method to get every real weight of your rig.
Trailer Sway: Causes, Prevention and What to Do: Why trailers sway and how to stop it before it starts.

All results are estimates. Always confirm ratings in your owner’s manual, on the door-jamb label and on the trailer’s VIN plate.