Trailer Tongue Weight: What It Is and How to Measure It
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Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer's coupler puts on your hitch ball. It's one of the most important numbers in towing — and one of the least checked.
How much tongue weight you want
Hitch manufacturers recommend tongue weight of about 10–15% of the gross trailer weight (the trailer plus everything loaded on it).
| Loaded trailer weight | Target tongue weight (10–15%) |
|---|---|
| 2,000 lb | 200 – 300 lb |
| 3,500 lb | 350 – 525 lb |
| 5,000 lb | 500 – 750 lb |
| 7,000 lb | 700 – 1,050 lb |
Why it matters
- Too little (under 10%): the trailer is more likely to sway, especially at highway speed or in crosswinds.
- Too much (over 15%): the rear of the tow vehicle squats, the front lifts, and steering and braking become less responsive.
Tongue weight also has to stay within the tongue weight rating of your hitch, ball mount and ball — see hitch classes for typical limits.
Three ways to measure it
1. A tongue weight scale
The simplest option: set the trailer jack or coupler on a purpose-built scale and read the number directly.
2. A bathroom scale
For light trailers, rest the coupler on a bathroom scale at normal towing height. For heavier trailers, CURT describes a lever setup using a board and two pipes, so the bathroom scale carries only a fraction of the weight and you multiply the reading. Follow their guide, linked below, for the exact spacing.
3. A vehicle scale
At a public or truck scale, weigh the tow vehicle alone, then weigh it again coupled to the loaded trailer with only the vehicle on the scale. The difference is the tongue weight.
How to fix tongue weight that's off
- Move cargo: heavier items forward of the trailer axle add tongue weight; moving them back reduces it.
- Tow level: a nose-high or nose-low trailer shifts weight. Choose a ball mount with the right drop or rise.
- Heavy trailers: a weight distribution hitch spreads tongue weight across the tow vehicle's axles and the trailer, restoring steering and braking.
Tongue weight guidance and measuring methods: CURT — How to measure tongue weight, checked September 2026.