Tongue Weight vs Tow Weight: Understanding the Key Difference for Safe Towing

Tongue weight is the downward force a trailer exerts on a tow vehicle’s hitch, while tow weight—more precisely called gross trailer weight—is the total weight of the loaded trailer being pulled. In practice, tongue weight is a fraction of tow weight, and keeping that fraction in the proper range is critical for stability, braking, and compliance with vehicle and hitch ratings.

Definitions at a Glance

Before comparing the two, it helps to define the terms and related ratings you’ll encounter when towing.

• Tongue Weight (TW): The vertical load pressing down on the hitch ball of a conventional bumper-pull trailer. For fifth-wheel or gooseneck setups, the comparable term is “pin weight.”
• Gross Trailer Weight (GTW, often informally called tow weight): The total loaded weight of the trailer, including cargo, fuel, water, and accessories.
• Towing Capacity: The maximum GTW your vehicle is rated to pull, typically established under SAE J2807 test procedures for modern vehicles.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The maximum allowable weight of the tow vehicle itself, including passengers, cargo, hitch equipment, and tongue/pin load.
• Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR): The maximum allowable combined weight of tow vehicle plus trailer.
• Hitch/Receiver Rating: The maximum GTW and TW your hitch hardware can handle; often shown with separate ratings “with” and “without” a weight-distribution hitch.

Together, these definitions distinguish the total mass being towed (GTW) from the portion that rests on the tow vehicle (TW), helping you match real-world loads to the correct limits.

Why the Difference Matters for Safety and Handling

Proper tongue weight keeps the trailer stable and the steering predictable. Too little TW relative to GTW can cause trailer sway; too much can overload the rear axle, lighten steering, lengthen braking distances, and stress the hitch. You must remain within the most restrictive limit among your vehicle, hitch, ball, and trailer coupler, and keep tongue weight in the recommended percentage range of your trailer’s GTW.

Recommended Tongue Weight Percentages

These rules of thumb help you set a safe baseline before fine-tuning with loading and scale checks.

• Conventional bumper-pull trailers: Target 10–15% of GTW as tongue weight; many tow safely at about 12–13%.
• Boat trailers: Often stable around 8–12% due to a low center of gravity; if unsure, aim closer to 10–12%.
• Fifth-wheel/gooseneck (pin weight): Typically 15–25% of GTW, commonly 18–22% for many RVs.

These ranges are starting points; always verify real weights and adjust cargo placement to fine-tune the balance for your specific setup.

How to Measure Tongue Weight and Trailer Weight

At a Public Scale (CAT Scale or Similar)

A certified scale can measure axle-by-axle loads and let you calculate both GTW and TW accurately.

1. Weigh the tow vehicle by itself (same fuel, passengers, and cargo you’ll tow with). Record front and rear axle weights and total.
2. Hook up the trailer and weigh again with the trailer jack off the ground and weight-distribution (WD) bars disconnected to capture raw TW. Record axle weights: front (steer), rear (drive), and trailer axles.
3. Calculate GTW: Combined weight (vehicle + trailer) minus vehicle-only weight.
4. Calculate TW: (Tow vehicle axle total with trailer connected, WD bars disconnected) minus (vehicle-only total). This difference is the tongue weight added to the truck.
5. If you use a WD hitch, reconnect and re-weigh to confirm proper load transfer to the front axle without exceeding any axle, GVWR, or hitch ratings. Note: WD hitches redistribute axle loads but do not reduce actual TW or GTW.

Using a scale ensures your setup meets ratings (GVWR, GAWR, GCWR) and that your TW% is within the recommended range for stability.

With a Tongue Scale or a Bathroom Scale

If you don’t have access to a public scale, you can still measure tongue weight at home.

1. Commercial tongue scales: Place the scale under the coupler or jack foot on level ground; lower the coupler until the trailer’s weight is resting fully on the scale.
2. Bathroom scale method: Use a sturdy board and pipe to create a simple lever (e.g., 3:1). Place the scale at the correct point under the lever, support the other points securely, and lower the coupler onto the board. Multiply the scale reading by the lever ratio to get TW.
3. Ensure the trailer is level front-to-back when measuring; tongue height affects readings.

These methods provide a reliable TW estimate for basic setups; for full compliance checks, validate at a public scale when possible.

Matching Ratings: What Numbers to Check

Safe towing means every component must be within its rating, not just the tow vehicle’s headline capacity.

• Tow vehicle towing capacity (per manufacturer, often SAE J2807-based).
• Hitch receiver rating for GTW and TW, with/without weight distribution.
• Hitch ball rating (stamped on the ball) and trailer coupler rating.
• Vehicle GVWR and rear/front GAWR (axle ratings), plus GCWR.
• Payload: Passengers, cargo, and TW all count toward the vehicle’s payload rating.
• Tires: Load index and pressure must support actual axle loads.

The limiting factor is always the lowest-rated component. Exceeding any single rating can create a safety risk and potential liability.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

These pitfalls show up frequently and can usually be prevented with a couple of checks and careful loading.

• Confusing “tow weight” with “towing capacity.” Tow weight (GTW) is what your trailer actually weighs; towing capacity is the vehicle’s limit.
• Loading cargo behind the trailer axle to “lighten” the hitch, which can trigger sway. Keep heavier items low and slightly forward of the axle(s).
• Ignoring receiver, ball, or coupler ratings while focusing only on the vehicle’s brochure number.
• Relying on “dry weight.” Always base decisions on loaded, ready-to-travel weight.
• Assuming a weight-distribution hitch increases payload or reduces TW. It does neither; it only redistributes axle load.
• Skipping re-weighs after gear changes, water tank fills, or seasonal packing.
• Overlooking trailer brake setup and tire pressures appropriate for the actual load.

A few simple measurements and checks before trips go a long way toward safe, predictable towing.

Example: Putting the Numbers Together

Suppose your loaded travel trailer weighs 4,800 lb GTW at the scale. For a conventional bumper-pull, aim for roughly 10–15% TW, or 480–720 lb. If your hitch is rated 600 lb TW without distribution and 800 lb with distribution, and your vehicle payload and rear axle allow it, you might use a weight-distribution hitch to stay within ratings and restore front-axle load for stable steering. Re-check at a scale after adjustment to confirm axle weights, TW%, and compliance with GVWR/GCWR.

Frequently Asked Questions

These quick answers clarify common points of confusion about tongue weight and tow weight.

• Does a weight-distribution hitch change tongue weight? No. It redistributes load between axles but the actual TW at the coupler remains the same.
• Can tongue weight be too high? Yes. Excess TW can overload the rear axle, hitch, or payload rating and degrade handling. Keep TW within ratings and the recommended percentage range.
• Are boats different? Often slightly. Many boat trailers tow well around 8–12% TW thanks to lower centers of gravity, but ensure stability and stay within ratings.
• What about EVs? Electric vehicles can tow, but some have lower TW/payload limits or rear axle ratings. Always check the owner’s manual and weigh your setup.

When in doubt, measure and compare against every relevant rating; it’s the surest way to a safe configuration.

Summary

Tongue weight is the downward force on the hitch; tow weight (GTW) is the trailer’s total loaded weight. For stable, legal, and safe towing, keep tongue weight in the recommended percentage of GTW, verify all component ratings (vehicle, hitch, ball, coupler), and confirm actual weights at a scale. Proper balance and verified numbers are the foundation of confident towing.

What is the tongue weight of a 5000 lb trailer?

For a 5,000 lb trailer, the recommended tongue weight is typically between 500 and 750 pounds, which is 10-15% of the trailer’s total weight. However, the specific tongue weight capacity is ultimately determined by the towing vehicle’s hitch and frame limits, which may be lower. Always check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for the exact tongue weight rating and ensure that the total loaded tongue weight remains within the limits of both the vehicle and the trailer.
 
This video explains what tongue weight is and how to calculate it for a loaded trailer: 1mAll American Trailer ConnectionYouTube · Jun 5, 2024
Calculating Tongue Weight

1. Check Trailer’s Total Weight: Determine the actual, loaded weight of the trailer. 
2. Calculate 10-15%: Multiply the total loaded trailer weight by 0.10 and 0.15. 
   • 10% of 5,000 lbs is 500 lbs. 
   • 15% of 5,000 lbs is 750 lbs. 

Important Considerations

• Vehicle Limits: Opens in new tabYour vehicle’s maximum tongue weight rating is crucial and should not be exceeded. This rating can be found in the owner’s manual. 
• Loading the Trailer: Opens in new tabProperly loading your trailer is key. Overloading the tongue or not having enough on the tongue can lead to dangerous trailer sway. 
• Weight Distribution: Opens in new tabA weight distribution hitch can help distribute the load more evenly, but it does not increase the vehicle’s actual tongue weight capacity. 

What is the tongue weight of a 3500 lb trailer?

between 350-lbs and 525-
With a 3500-lbs trailer, your tongue weight should be between 350-lbs and 525-lbs, so a system like the Strait-Line Weight Distribution System w Sway Control # RP66086 would work well for you.

What should the tongue weight be on a 7000 lb trailer?

For a 7,000 lb (Gross Vehicle Weight, or GVW) trailer, the tongue weight should be between 700 and 1,050 pounds, or 10 to 15 percent of the total trailer weight. You can use a portable scale placed under the trailer tongue to measure this weight directly, or you can use a simpler method by placing a scale at a specific point and multiplying the reading by a factor of three, as described in various guides, to get an estimate. 
Calculating Your Trailer’s Tongue Weight

1. Know Your Total Weight: First, you need to know the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of the trailer when it’s loaded with cargo. For a 7,000 lb trailer, the 10-15% range is 700 to 1,050 pounds. 
2. Use a Portable Scale: The most accurate way to find the tongue weight is to use a scale. 
   • Extend the trailer’s tongue jack onto blocks. 
   • Place the scale under the tip of the trailer tongue. 
   • Lower the tongue jack onto the scale. 
   • Read the weight on the scale; this is the tongue weight. 
3. Trailer Loading and Balance: Proper loading is crucial for safety. 
   • Place approximately 60% of the load in front of the trailer’s axles. 
   • Place the remaining 40% of the load behind the axles. This helps prevent trailer sway and ensures proper tongue weight. 

Key Considerations

• Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH): A WDH is highly recommended for towing heavier trailers. It helps distribute the tongue weight evenly and keeps the trailer riding straight. 
• Safety: Always keep your tongue weight within the recommended range to ensure safe and stable towing. Too little tongue weight can lead to dangerous trailer sway, while too much can overload the tow vehicle’s rear axle. 

What is the difference between tongue weight and towing weight?

Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer puts on the hitch, while towing weight (also known as hitch weight or pin weight for fifth wheels) is the term for the trailer’s total loaded weight that a vehicle can handle. Tongue weight should be between 9-15% of the trailer’s total towed weight for safe handling, stability, and braking, so it is a critical part of the towing capacity calculation.
 
Tongue Weight

• What it is: The vertical force exerted on the vehicle’s hitch by the trailer. 
• How it relates to the trailer: It is a portion of the overall trailer weight, typically 10-15% of the trailer’s gross weight. 
• Why it’s important: Proper tongue weight is essential for a safe towing experience. 
  • Too light: Causes trailer sway and poor steering. 
  • Too heavy: Can overload the rear of the vehicle. 
• How to measure it: Use a tongue weight scale or a scale built into the ball mount of your hitch. 

Towing Weight (also known as Trailer Weight) 

• What it is: The maximum weight a vehicle can safely tow, which includes the trailer itself plus any cargo and passengers. 
• Why it’s important: Exceeding the vehicle’s towing capacity can lead to poor handling, reduced braking, and increased wear on the vehicle’s components. 
• How to find it: Consult the vehicle’s owner’s manual or the manufacturer for its maximum towing capacity. 

The Relationship Between Tongue Weight and Towing Weight

• Tongue weight is a component of the overall trailer weight that you are towing. 
• A properly distributed tongue weight (9-15% of the trailer’s total weight) is crucial for the trailer to be stable and safe to tow within your vehicle’s towing capacity.