Trailer Tongue Weight Calculator
Check your trailer's tongue weight against the 10 to 15 percent range and the lowest rating in your hitch setup.
Check your trailer’s tongue weight against the 10 to 15 percent range and the lowest rating in your hitch setup. Free, private, and it shows its working.
How to use this tool
Enter the loaded trailer weight and, if you have it, the measured tongue weight. The calculator shows the 10 to 15 percent range, your actual percentage and whether you are within your hitch’s tongue rating.
Measure tongue weight with a tongue weight scale or at a truck scale, loaded the way you travel. Move heavy gear forward or back to bring it into range.
Worked example
Here is what the Trailer Tongue Weight Calculator returns with its starting values. Replace them with your own numbers for a real plan.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Loaded trailer weight | 6500 lb |
| Measured tongue weight (0 if unknown) | 780 lb |
| Lowest tongue rating in your hitch setup | 1000 lb |
| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Recommended range | 650 – 975 lb |
| Your tongue weight | 780 lb (12%) |
| Verdict | Within 10-15% |
| Hitch check | Within rating |
How the calculation works
- 10% of 6,500 lb = 650 lb; 15% = 975 lb.
- Measured 780 lb / 6,500 lb = 12%.
- The hitch check compares your tongue weight (or the top of the range) with the lowest tongue rating among receiver, ball mount, ball and coupler.
When this tool helps most
Use it after loading for a trip and whenever you change what you carry.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Guessing tongue weight instead of measuring it.
- Checking only the receiver rating, not the ball, mount and coupler.
- Forgetting that tongue weight counts against vehicle payload.
Related guides
This tool is for planning and education only. It does not store your entries. Read our disclaimer.
Understanding your results
- Recommended range: about 10 to 15 percent of loaded trailer weight for a conventional trailer.
- Your percentage: where your measured tongue weight falls.
- Hitch check: whether you stay within the lowest rating in your setup.
Two quick scenarios
Too light on the tongue
Moving heavy gear forward, closer to or ahead of the axles, raises tongue weight and can improve stability.
Too heavy on the tongue
Shifting weight back or adjusting a weight distribution hitch can bring it into range and protect payload.
Before you rely on the numbers
- Measure loaded, the way you travel.
- Check receiver, ball mount, ball and coupler ratings.
- Count tongue weight against vehicle payload.
- Recheck after changing what you carry.
Keep planning with RV trailer hitch guide and RV Weight and Payload Worksheet.
Official references
Frequently asked questions
About 10 to 15 percent of the loaded trailer weight for a conventional bumper-pull trailer. Too little tongue weight can contribute to trailer sway. Too much can reduce steering grip and overload the tow vehicle.What should my trailer tongue weight be?
What happens if tongue weight is too low?