What Should Tongue Weight Be?

For safe, stable towing, tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight (gross trailer weight, GTW) for conventional “bumper-pull” trailers, and 15–25% for fifth‑wheel or gooseneck trailers. Always keep tongue (or pin) weight within the lowest-rated limit of your tow vehicle, hitch, and trailer hardware.

What Tongue Weight Means and Why It Matters

Tongue weight (TW) is the downward force a trailer exerts on the tow vehicle’s hitch. Too little TW can cause trailer sway and loss of control; too much can overload the rear axle, reduce steering and braking effectiveness, and stress hitch components. The recommended percentages are applied to the actual loaded trailer weight, not the “dry” or empty weight.

Recommended Tongue Weight by Trailer Type

The safe target range depends on how the trailer is coupled and how its load is distributed. The following guidelines reflect common North American towing standards and industry practice.

• Conventional (bumper-pull) trailers: 10–15% of loaded trailer weight (GTW). Many owners aim for 12–13% as a practical sweet spot.
• Boat trailers: 8–12% is typical due to aft engine weight; keep as close to 10% as possible for highway stability.
• Fifth‑wheel and gooseneck trailers: 15–25% of GTW (pin weight). Many setups land around 20–22%.
• Special cases (e.g., some European caravans): 5–7% is sometimes used with strict speed limits and different chassis dynamics; in North America, 10–15% remains the norm for conventional trailers at highway speeds.

Staying within these ranges helps keep the trailer stable and the tow vehicle balanced. Always verify that the resulting tongue or pin weight does not exceed any component’s rating.

Capacity Limits You Must Not Exceed

Even if your percentage is “right,” the absolute tongue weight must be within the lowest-rated component of the system. Ratings are listed on labels and in manuals for the vehicle, hitch, and towing hardware.

• Tow vehicle: Maximum tongue/pin weight, Gross Axle Weight Ratings (GAWR), and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
• Hitch/receiver: Tongue weight rating for both weight-carrying (WC) and weight-distributing (WD) use; never exceed the rating for the mode you’re using.
• Ball mount/ball/coupler or fifth‑wheel/gooseneck hardware: Individual component ratings must meet or exceed your actual loads.
• Tires and suspension: Load index and pressures must support the measured axle loads.

Your allowable tongue weight is the lowest number among all these ratings. Consider staying below roughly 90% of the limit to preserve a safety margin for real-world variations (fuel, water, gear).

How to Measure Tongue Weight

Measure TW with the trailer loaded as you’ll actually travel (including water, propane, tools, and cargo). The methods below cover light to heavy setups.

Method 1: Dedicated Tongue Weight Scale

This is the most straightforward approach for light and medium trailers.

1. Load the trailer as for travel and park on level ground.
2. Chock the wheels and uncouple the trailer from the tow vehicle.
3. Place the tongue jack or coupler on the tongue weight scale per the scale’s instructions.
4. Lower onto the scale until the trailer’s weight is fully supported and note the reading.

Use a scale with adequate capacity and follow its instructions to avoid inaccurate readings or equipment damage.

Method 2: Bathroom Scale and Lever (for lighter trailers)

This levered setup can estimate TW when it’s within a few hundred pounds.

1. On level ground, create a simple lever with sturdy lumber and supports to divide the load (e.g., a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio).
2. Place the bathroom scale at the appropriate point under the lever, ensuring it reads a fraction of the actual tongue load.
3. Lower the tongue onto the lever system and record the scale reading.
4. Multiply by the lever ratio to get actual TW.

Only use this method within the scale’s safe range and with solid, stable supports. If unsure, choose a commercial scale method.

Method 3: Public Truck Scale (CAT/Certified Scale)

For heavier trailers or maximum accuracy, use a certified scale and compare axle weights.

1. First weigh: Tow vehicle only (record front and rear axle weights).
2. Second weigh: Vehicle and trailer coupled, trailer jack up, weight on the hitch (record axle weights).
3. Compute TW (conventional trailer): Subtract the tow vehicle’s first rear axle weight from the second rear axle weight, then adjust for any front axle change. Alternatively, subtract “vehicle only” gross from “vehicle plus trailer (on hitch, jack up)” gross to approximate TW.
4. For fifth‑wheel/gooseneck: Pin weight is the increase in the truck’s axle weights between the two weighings (primarily the rear axle, sometimes front increases slightly).

Certified scales provide reliable numbers and also let you confirm you’re within GAWR and GVWR. Ask the scale operator for reweigh options to fine-tune loading.

How to Adjust Tongue Weight Safely

If your measured TW is outside the target range or exceeds a rating, adjust the load and equipment to bring it into spec.

• Shift cargo: Move heavy items forward to increase TW or rearward to decrease it. Secure all items against movement.
• Boat trailers: Slide the boat slightly forward/aft on the bunks or adjust the winch post per the trailer manufacturer’s guidance.
• Water and fuel: Front-mounted tanks increase TW when filled; rear tanks reduce it. Plan tank levels for travel, not just at camp.
• Axle position (some utility/boat trailers): Adjust the axle(s) if designed for it; follow torque specs and alignment procedures.
• Hitch height: Tow level or slightly nose-down to keep proper load distribution; adjust ball mount drop/rise accordingly.
• Weight-distribution hitch (WD): Properly set spring bar tension and head angle to restore front axle load and expand receiver capacity within its WD rating.
• Tire pressures: Inflate tow vehicle and trailer tires to support measured axle loads per placard or load table.
• Reweigh: After adjustments, remeasure TW and axle weights.

Make one change at a time and verify results. Never rely on guesswork when operating near capacity limits.

Signs Your Tongue Weight Is Incorrect

Before and during travel, watch for these indicators that your setup may be out of balance.

• Sway or fishtailing, especially in crosswinds or when passed by trucks (often too little TW).
• Excessive rear squat or front-end lightness in the tow vehicle (often too much TW or insufficient WD setup).
• Poor steering response or longer braking distances.
• Hitch or receiver creaking, bottoming, or component overheating.
• Uneven trailer tire loading or abnormal tire temperatures.

If any of these appear, reduce speed, recheck loading, and measure TW and axle weights before continuing.

Example Tongue Weight Targets

These quick examples show how to apply the percentage ranges to real-world trailers. Always base calculations on your actual loaded weight.

• 3,500 lb utility trailer (conventional): Target 350–525 lb TW.
• 5,000 lb travel trailer: Target 500–750 lb TW; confirm receiver and vehicle can handle it.
• 7,500 lb boat trailer: Target roughly 600–900 lb TW, leaning toward ~10% for stability.
• 12,000 lb fifth‑wheel: Target 1,800–3,000 lb pin weight, commonly around 2,400–2,600 lb.

If your calculated target exceeds a rating, the combination is not safe as configured—reduce load, change equipment, or choose a different tow vehicle.

Key Takeaways

Set tongue weight to 10–15% of loaded trailer weight for conventional trailers and 15–25% for fifth‑wheels/goosenecks, while staying within the lowest rated limit of your vehicle and towing hardware. Measure with appropriate scales, adjust load placement and hitch setup as needed, and verify axle weights to ensure safe handling and braking.

Summary

Tongue weight should be a controlled percentage of the trailer’s actual loaded weight: 10–15% for conventional trailers and 15–25% for fifth‑wheel/gooseneck setups. Confirm you’re within all component ratings, measure tongue and axle weights on level ground, and adjust cargo position, hitch height, and weight distribution to achieve stable, compliant towing.

Is 20% tongue weight too much?

If the tongue weight it too much — greater than 15% — your vehicle may become less responsive, especially when turning and braking. Properly loading your trailer — placing cargo in front of or behind the axle — can have a major effect on tongue weight.

How heavy is the average tongue?

The average length of the human tongue from the oropharynx to the tip is 10 cm. The average weight of the human tongue from adult males is 99g and for adult females 79g.

What does 200 lbs tongue weight mean?

Tongue weight is the amount of weight a trailer puts on the towing vehicle’s trailer ball. The tongue is the part of the trailer that sticks out ahead of the cargo area; it’s typically two rails that form a V shape, but sometimes it’s just a single rail.

What is an acceptable tongue weight?

What Is Proper Tongue Weight? For conventional trailers with ball-mounted hitches, proper tongue weight is roughly 10 to 15 percent of the total loaded trailer weight.