Tongue Weight
The downward force a trailer's hitch exerts on the tow vehicle's hitch ball. Critical for safe trailer towing — typically 10-15% of trailer weight.
Also called: tongue weight, TW, hitch weight, ball weight
Tongue weight (TW) is the downward force a trailer’s hitch exerts on the tow vehicle’s hitch ball. For a travel trailer, tongue weight should be 10–15% of the trailer’s loaded weight.
Why tongue weight matters
Too little tongue weight (under 10%) makes the trailer sway — fishtailing behavior at highway speed that can become uncontrollable. Too much tongue weight (over 15%) overloads the tow vehicle’s rear axle and lifts the front wheels, reducing steering control.
A 5,000-lb travel trailer should have:
- Minimum tongue weight: 500 lb (10%)
- Maximum tongue weight: 750 lb (15%)
- Ideal target: 600 lb (12%)
How tongue weight is measured
Three options:
- Tongue weight scale (specialized scale, ~$40 at any RV store)
- Bathroom scale workaround (place trailer tongue on a 2x4 across a bathroom scale)
- Truck-stop CAT scale (weigh tow vehicle with and without trailer hitched)
For peer-to-peer travel trailer rentals, ask the owner for the trailer’s measured tongue weight before booking.
How to adjust tongue weight
- Move heavy cargo (water, batteries, generator) toward or away from the trailer axles
- Empty or fill the fresh water tank (typically located forward — full water adds tongue weight)
- Add cargo to the rear storage compartments if tongue weight is too high
Most rental travel trailers are designed with proper tongue weight when loaded normally. Problems arise when renters load all heavy cargo at the rear of the trailer.
Fifth wheels don’t have tongue weight
Fifth wheels use a king-pin hitch with pin weight (typically 20–25% of trailer weight). Different concept, different math.