Trailer Tongue Weight Calculator
Check tongue weight against the 10 to 15 percent safe range.
Tongue weight counts against your vehicle payload and hitch rating, not just the tow rating. Too little tongue weight causes trailer sway, which is the leading cause of towing accidents.
How this calculator works
tongue weight = (trailer + cargo) × tongue percent ÷ 100
Move cargo forward of the trailer axle to raise tongue weight and rearward to lower it. Small shifts matter — moving a heavy item two feet can change tongue weight by a hundred pounds.
Worked example
With empty trailer weight 3000 lb, cargo on the trailer 4000 lb, target tongue weight 12 , this calculator returns 840 lb.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct tongue weight?
Ten to 15% of the loaded trailer weight for a bumper-pull trailer, and 15 to 25% for a gooseneck or fifth wheel. Below 10% the trailer will sway at highway speed.
What causes trailer sway?
Almost always too little tongue weight, from loading cargo behind the axle. The trailer starts to steer the truck instead of following it. Moving weight forward is the fix, not driving slower.
How do I measure tongue weight?
A tongue weight scale is the simplest tool. Alternatively, take the loaded rig to a public scale and weigh the truck alone, then with the trailer coupled — the difference on the rear axle is close enough.
Does tongue weight reduce what I can carry in the truck?
Yes, directly. Tongue weight sits on the hitch and counts fully against vehicle payload. A 7,000 lb trailer at 12% puts 840 lb into the truck before any passengers get in.