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What Is Tongue Weight?
What Is Trailer Tongue Weight?
Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer tongue exerts on the tow vehicle’s hitch. In other words, it’s the measurement of how heavy a trailer’s tongue is.
What Is the Proper Tongue Weight?
Tongue weight capacity can vary depending on the trailer you’re towing. In general, however, it’s best to keep the weight between 9% to 15% of the gross trailer weight (GTW). The GTW refers to the trailer’s total weight, including the cargo. So, if you’re hauling a 5,000-pound trailer, then the acceptable tongue weight is around 450 pounds to 750 pounds.
How Does Tongue Weight Affect Towing?
Ignoring your trailer’s recommended tongue weight is one way of putting yourself in danger. Too much tongue weight can negatively affect steering, making your trailer hard to control. Too little tongue weight is just as bad because it can cause your trailer to sway. Here are some other problems that can arise from incorrect tongue weight:
- Unresponsive brakes
- Tire blowouts
- Rear tire overload
When towing a vehicle, it’s best to stick to the correct tongue weight. That way, you can safely tow your trailer without risking your vehicle, trailer, and your own safety.
How To Determine Tongue Weight
There are a few ways you can measure your trailer’s current tongue weight before you hit the road. Here are some examples:
Use a Tongue Weight Scale
A tongue weight scale is a small tool specifically designed for measuring tongue weight. It’s easy to use, and you can usually find one being sold for under $200. Exact instructions can vary depending on the brand, but here’s a general rundown of how to use one:
- Load all of your equipment, supplies, and other cargo inside your trailer.
- Place the tongue weight scale under the tongue jack, and lower it until the jack presses down on the scale.
- Carefully detach the trailer from your towing vehicle, and write down the scale’s reading.
Make sure you’re parked on a flat, level surface. Otherwise, the reading might not be accurate.
Use a Commercial Vehicle Scale
If you live near a truck stop, quarry, or material supply center, you can also use their commercial vehicle scale to measure your trailer’s tongue weight. Here’s how to measure tongue weight using a commercial scale:
- Weigh your vehicle without attaching the trailer.
- Attach the trailer to your vehicle, and then weigh it again. Be careful not to let the trailer’s wheels touch the scales, or you’ll end up with an inaccurate reading.
- Subtract the vehicle’s solo weight from the vehicle and trailer’s combined weight. The result is your trailer tongue weight.
Stores can have different instructions for their scales, so be sure to ask them first before proceeding.
Use a Bathroom Scale
If you’re left with no other option, you can always try using a bathroom scale. It can be a bit challenging, but it’s better than not knowing what your trailer tongue weight is. Here’s a general guide on how to use a bathroom scale:
- Place a sturdy box or cinder block under the bathroom scale to keep it level with the tow vehicle’s hitch ball.
- Carefully place the trailer tongue directly on the scale. The reading is your trailer tongue weight.
Bathroom scales have maximum weight limitations, so this method only works for smaller trailers that weigh less than 300 pounds. For heavier trailers, you’ll have to use pipes, wood, and brick alongside your bathroom scale.
- On flat, level ground, position a two-by-four directly below the trailer tongue. The board should be sturdy and measure at least 3.5 feet long.
- Place the bathroom scale around two feet from the trailer tongue.
- Position the brick around one foot away from the trailer tongue, opposite the scale.
- Insert one horizontal pipe in the center of the bathroom scale and another in the center of the brick. Make sure the pipe on the scale is 2 feet from the tongue while the pipe on the brick is 1 foot from the tongue.
- Position another pipe vertically under the tongue.
- Lower the trailer jack until the coupler fully rests on the pipe.
- Finally, read the measurement on the bathroom scale.
- Multiply this value by 3 to get your trailer’s tongue weight.
As you can see, measuring a heavy trailer with a bathroom scale is a lot of work. It’s best to invest in a tongue weight scale or find a drive-on scale instead.
Adjusting Your Trailer’s Tongue Weight
If your current tongue weight is heavier than recommended, try moving some of your things away from the tongue. If it’s lower than recommended, place your cargo in front of the trailer’s axle.
Make sure to keep your trailer balanced on both sides as you rearrange your cargo from front to back.
Hitch Weight vs. Tongue Weight
You’ll likely hear the term, “hitch weight,” when asking around about tongue weight. Don’t panic. Hitch weight isn’t a new factor you’ll have to consider. It’s just another term for tongue weight.
