How it works
Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer coupler puts on the hitch ball. The industry rule of thumb for conventional (bumper-pull) trailers is that it should be 10% to 15% of the loaded trailer weight, also called gross trailer weight (GTW).
Minimum tongue weight = loaded trailer weight × 0.10
Maximum tongue weight = loaded trailer weight × 0.15
Tongue weight % = measured tongue weight ÷ loaded trailer weight × 100
If your measured value falls below 10%, the trailer is tail-heavy and prone to sway. Above 15%, the tow vehicle’s rear axle, hitch and payload take more than they should. The calculator flags both cases.
Worked example
A travel trailer weighs 6,000 lb loaded and a tongue scale reads 690 lb.
- Minimum: 6,000 × 0.10 = 600 lb
- Maximum: 6,000 × 0.15 = 900 lb
- Actual share: 690 ÷ 6,000 = 11.5%, inside the range.
Those 690 lb also count against the truck’s payload, so check it with the payload calculator.
Tongue weight chart (2,000 to 15,000 lb trailers)
Recommended tongue weight for common loaded trailer weights. Values are rounded to the nearest pound and kilogram.
| Loaded trailer | 10% (min) | 12.5% (target) | 15% (max) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,000 lb (907 kg) | 200 lb | 250 lb | 300 lb |
| 3,000 lb (1,361 kg) | 300 lb | 375 lb | 450 lb |
| 4,000 lb (1,814 kg) | 400 lb | 500 lb | 600 lb |
| 5,000 lb (2,268 kg) | 500 lb | 625 lb | 750 lb |
| 6,000 lb (2,722 kg) | 600 lb | 750 lb | 900 lb |
| 7,000 lb (3,175 kg) | 700 lb | 875 lb | 1,050 lb |
| 8,000 lb (3,629 kg) | 800 lb | 1,000 lb | 1,200 lb |
| 9,000 lb (4,082 kg) | 900 lb | 1,125 lb | 1,350 lb |
| 10,000 lb (4,536 kg) | 1,000 lb | 1,250 lb | 1,500 lb |
| 11,000 lb (4,990 kg) | 1,100 lb | 1,375 lb | 1,650 lb |
| 12,000 lb (5,443 kg) | 1,200 lb | 1,500 lb | 1,800 lb |
| 13,000 lb (5,897 kg) | 1,300 lb | 1,625 lb | 1,950 lb |
| 14,000 lb (6,350 kg) | 1,400 lb | 1,750 lb | 2,100 lb |
| 15,000 lb (6,804 kg) | 1,500 lb | 1,875 lb | 2,250 lb |
How to adjust tongue weight
Tongue weight depends on where the load sits relative to the trailer axles. Moving heavy items forward of the axles increases tongue weight; moving them behind the axles reduces it. Water tanks, generators, batteries and spare tires mounted at the very front or back of a trailer have a big effect, so check tongue weight in the configuration you actually travel in.
If the share is right but the tongue weight is still more than your hitch or vehicle can carry, the trailer itself is too heavy for the setup. Use the hitch class calculator to confirm the receiver rating and thetowing capacity calculator to see the vehicle’s limit.
Common mistakes
- Using the dry weight. The brochure dry weight leaves out water, propane, batteries and gear. Base the range on the loaded weight.
- Measuring with tanks empty, traveling with them full. A fresh water tank ahead of the axle can add a lot of tongue weight once filled.
- Forgetting payload. A tongue weight inside the 10–15% band can still overload the tow vehicle. It counts against payload and the rear axle rating.
- Treating a weight distribution hitch as a fix. It shares the load between axles but does not change the tongue weight or stop a tail-heavy trailer from swaying.
- Applying the bumper-pull rule to every trailer. Fifth wheels and boat trailers use different ranges.