Trailer Tongue Weight Calculator
The little number that stops trailer sway. Enter your loaded trailer weight to get the safe 10–15% tongue-weight target range — or plug in a scale reading to check whether your setup is in the band.
Enter your numbers
Your results
Guidance only — also stay within your hitch and tow vehicle's rated tongue capacity.
How to use this calculator
Enter the trailer's fully loaded weight — everything it carries, not the empty weight on the spec sheet. The calculator shows the 10–15% tongue-weight band for that weight.
If you have a scale reading, enter it in the optional field. The calculator converts it to a percentage of trailer weight and tells you whether it's low, in range, or high — and which way to move cargo to fix it.
How it works
Tongue weight should be 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight: too little and the trailer can start swaying at speed; too much and you overload the tow vehicle's rear axle and lighten the front steering axle. For a 4,000 lb loaded trailer the band is 400–600 lb.
To adjust, move cargo: forward of the trailer axle adds tongue weight, rearward of it reduces tongue weight. Always re-weigh after shifting a load, and never exceed your hitch receiver's or tow vehicle's maximum tongue rating even if the percentage looks right.
Frequently asked questions
What is tongue weight?
The downward force the trailer coupler puts on the tow vehicle's hitch ball.
Why 10–15%?
Too little causes trailer sway; too much overloads the rear axle — 10–15% of loaded trailer weight is the standard band.
How do I measure tongue weight?
With a dedicated tongue scale, or a bathroom scale and lever setup for lighter trailers.
How do I adjust it?
Shift cargo forward to add tongue weight, rearward to reduce it — then re-weigh.