Acceptable Trailer Tongue Weight: The Ranges You Should Aim For and How to Get There

An acceptable trailer tongue weight is typically 10–15% of the fully loaded trailer weight for conventional bumper‑pull trailers and 15–25% (pin weight) for fifth‑wheel and gooseneck trailers; always stay within the tow vehicle and hitch ratings. Those ranges promote stability and help prevent sway, while excessive or insufficient tongue weight can compromise handling, braking, and safety.

Why Tongue Weight Matters

Tongue weight (TW) is the downward force the trailer exerts on the tow vehicle’s hitch. Set correctly, it keeps the trailer stable, maintains steering traction, and balances braking between the tow vehicle’s front and rear axles. Too little TW increases the risk of trailer sway; too much can overload the rear axle, lighten steering, lengthen braking distances, and stress the hitch.

Recommended Tongue Weight Ranges by Trailer Type

The following ranges are widely accepted across towing standards and manufacturer guidance and provide a practical target when loading and setting up your trailer.

• Bumper‑pull (ball/coupler) trailers: 10–15% of loaded trailer weight (many RV makers prefer 12–15%).
• Boat trailers: commonly 5–10% of loaded weight (verify with the boat/trailer manufacturer; some setups still target near 10%).
• Fifth‑wheel and gooseneck trailers (pin weight): 15–25% of loaded trailer weight (many RVs land around 20–25%).
• Utility and cargo trailers: 10–15% unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise.
• Weight‑distribution hitch users: Tongue weight target remains the same; the hitch redistributes, not reduces, actual tongue load.

Staying within these bands helps minimize sway and axle overloads, but your exact target should also reflect manufacturer recommendations and how your specific rig behaves on the road.

How to Calculate Your Target Tongue Weight

Start with the actual loaded trailer weight—often called gross trailer weight (GTW)—not the empty weight. Multiply by the recommended percentage for your trailer type to find the target range.

For example calculations:

• 3,500 lb bumper‑pull trailer: target TW ≈ 350–525 lb.
• 5,000 lb bumper‑pull trailer: target TW ≈ 500–750 lb.
• 7,000 lb bumper‑pull trailer: target TW ≈ 700–1,050 lb.
• 12,000 lb fifth‑wheel: target pin weight ≈ 1,800–3,000 lb.

These figures are guidelines; always compare your result with the tow vehicle’s and hitch’s maximum tongue/pin weight ratings and choose the lower of the two if limits differ.

How to Measure Tongue Weight

Accurate measurement verifies your setup before you hit the road. Several methods are available depending on your tools and access to scales.

• Dedicated tongue weight scale: A portable scale (often rated to 2,000 lb+) that reads TW directly at the coupler or jack.
• Commercial vehicle scale (CAT or similar): Weigh the tow vehicle alone, then with the trailer on the hitch; the difference at the drive axle(s) indicates TW. Alternatively, weigh the trailer jack on the scale if permitted.
• Bathroom scale with a lever setup: Suitable for lighter trailers; use a 3:1 or 4:1 lever to keep within the scale’s range and calculate TW from the ratio.
• Smart tow tools: Some modern hitches/jacks include integrated load sensors; validate their readings against a scale when possible.

Re‑measure after loading changes (water, fuel, gear) and after adjusting hitch height or weight‑distribution bars to confirm you remain in the target range.

Symptoms of Incorrect Tongue Weight—and How to Fix It

Observable handling clues can indicate whether your tongue weight is too low or too high. Addressing the cause usually involves adjusting load placement or hitch setup.

• Too low TW (common sway, “tail wagging”): Move cargo forward of the trailer axle(s), ensure water/propane tanks forward are filled as intended, lower the ball height if the trailer tows nose‑high, and consider sway control.
• Too high TW (front end light, poor steering/braking): Shift some cargo rearward (but stay within the safe range), reduce heavy items at the tongue, or raise ball height slightly if the nose is too low.
• Uneven axle loading: Level the trailer so axles share load; confirm spring/bar settings on a weight‑distribution hitch as per manufacturer instructions.
• Persistent issues: Recheck actual weights (axle by axle), verify tire pressures and load ratings, and ensure you’re within all vehicle/hitch limits.

Make one change at a time and re‑weigh; incremental adjustments help you dial in a stable, compliant configuration.

Respect Vehicle and Hitch Limits

Even a “correct” percentage becomes unsafe if it exceeds rated capacities. Always verify the lowest applicable rating and abide by it.

• Tow vehicle limits: Check maximum tongue/pin weight, maximum trailer weight, GVWR, GAWR (front/rear), and GCWR on the door jamb label and owner’s manual.
• Hitch ratings: Read the hitch label; ratings usually list maximum GTW and tongue weight, with and without weight distribution (per SAE J684). Hitch classes (I–V) indicate typical, but not universal, limits.
• Ball mount and ball: Ensure both are rated at or above your actual loads; the lowest component rating governs.
• Payload: Tongue or pin weight counts against the vehicle’s payload alongside passengers and cargo.

If any component’s rating is lower than your calculated tongue or pin weight, you must reduce load, adjust distribution, or upgrade equipment to remain within spec.

Special Notes

Weight‑Distribution Hitches

These devices don’t change actual tongue weight; they redistribute some of it to the trailer axles and the tow vehicle’s front axle. Set them to the manufacturer’s guidelines—commonly restoring a specified portion of front‑axle load—and confirm handling feels neutral and planted.

Boat Trailers

Because of hull balance and engine placement, many boat trailers are stable at 5–10% TW. Follow the trailer/boat maker’s recommendations; if sway occurs, move the boat forward slightly, add a second bow stop, or review axle position per the trailer manual.

Quick Reference Targets

Use these ballpark figures to sanity‑check your setup before you weigh.

• 3,000 lb bumper‑pull: ≈ 300–450 lb TW
• 5,000 lb bumper‑pull: ≈ 500–750 lb TW
• 7,500 lb bumper‑pull: ≈ 750–1,125 lb TW
• 10,000 lb bumper‑pull: ≈ 1,000–1,500 lb TW
• 14,000 lb gooseneck/fifth‑wheel: ≈ 2,100–3,500 lb pin weight

These ranges help you plan gear placement and equipment selection; final verification should come from scale measurements and your specific ratings.

Bottom Line

For most bumper‑pull trailers, aim for 10–15% tongue weight; for fifth‑wheel and gooseneck rigs, 15–25% pin weight is typical. Confirm with real weights and never exceed the tow vehicle, hitch, or component ratings. Properly set tongue weight is the cornerstone of a stable, safe, and legal towing setup.

Summary

Acceptable trailer tongue weight depends on trailer type: 10–15% of loaded weight for conventional bumper‑pulls, 15–25% for fifth‑wheels and goosenecks, and often 5–10% for boat trailers per manufacturer guidance. Measure with a scale, adjust cargo placement and hitch settings to hit the target, and always stay within your vehicle and hitch ratings to ensure safe handling and braking.

Can you have too much tongue weight on a trailer?

Improper tongue weight, either too much or not enough, affects how the trailer handles the payload. If the trailer has too much tongue weight, it can overload the tow vehicle. This can cause a loss of steering and braking control for the tow vehicle.

What is the 60 40 rule for trailers?

The 60/40 trailer rule is a weight distribution guideline for safe towing that states 60% of the load’s total weight should be placed in front of the trailer’s axle, with 40% behind it. This distribution prevents dangerous trailer sway and instability, ensuring better control by keeping the majority of the weight over or forward of the axles. When loading, place heavier items closer to the front of the trailer and secure all cargo to prevent shifting.
 
Why the 60/40 Rule is Important

• Prevents Trailer Sway: Loading the trailer with too much weight behind the axle creates an imbalance that can lead to trailer sway or “fishtailing,” which is a terrifying and dangerous condition where the trailer starts to steer the tow vehicle. 
• Improves Stability: A properly balanced load provides stability for both the trailer and the tow vehicle, reducing strain on the engine and suspension. 
• Enhances Driver Control: With 60% of the weight forward, you maintain better control over your vehicle and trailer combination. 

How to Apply the 60/40 Rule

1. Load Heavier Items First: Place the heaviest items as far forward as possible. 
2. Distribute Weight Evenly: Distribute the weight side-to-side to prevent uneven load distribution. 
3. Secure Your Load: Once the weight is distributed, secure all items to prevent shifting during travel. 

What to Do If Sway Occurs
If you experience trailer sway:

1. Don’t Panic: Stay calm and keep your hands on the steering wheel. 
2. Slow Down: Take your foot off the gas and allow the vehicle to slow down naturally. 
3. Apply Trailer Brakes: Engage the trailer’s brakes to help correct the sway. 
4. Pull Over Safely: Once you have control, find a safe place to pull over and adjust your load to follow the 60/40 rule. 

What is the proper tongue weight for a trailer?

According to the GMC Trailering Guide, to get the proper trailer tongue weight, you should put about 60 percent of the load centered evenly over the front half of the trailer. For instance, if that 2,000-pound trailer is still carrying 1,000 pounds, roughly 600 pounds should be in the front half of the trailer.

What is the 80/20 rule for towing?

The 80% towing rule is less of a “rule” and more of an idea: don’t pull a trailer with a GVWR that is more than 80% of your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity. That leaves 20% of your towing capacity left for other cargo like passengers, baggage, etc.