Tongue weight calculator
For a bumper-pull trailer, tongue weight should be 10% to 15% of the loaded trailer weight. A 5,000 lb trailer needs 500 to 750 lb on the hitch. Fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers put 15% to 25% on the kingpin. GM and Ram both publish these ranges in their towing guides.
Tongue weight
500 to 750 lb (target about 600 lb at 12%)
Show the math
Range = trailer weight × 10% to 15% (fifth wheel 15% to 25%).
Tongue % = measured tongue weight ÷ trailer weight × 100.
Bathroom-scale lever: reading × 4.
How to use
- Pick bumper-pull or fifth wheel.
- Enter the loaded trailer weight to see the target range.
- If you’ve measured the tongue, switch to “Check my tongue weight” to see the percentage.
- No scale big enough? Use the bathroom-scale method and enter the reading.
The formula
- Range = trailer weight × 10% to 15% (fifth wheel 15% to 25%)
- Tongue % = measured tongue weight ÷ trailer weight × 100
- Bathroom-scale lever: reading × 4 (4 ft board, pivot 1 ft from the tongue end, scale at the far end)
Example 1
A 7,000 lb loaded travel trailer should put 700 to 1,050 lb on the hitch. At 12% that’s 840 lb, and all 840 lb count against your truck’s payload.
Example 2
You weigh the tongue of a 5,000 lb boat trailer at 400 lb. That’s 8.0%, light enough to make sway more likely. Moving the boat forward on the trailer or loading heavy gear ahead of the axle raises it.
What this calculator doesn't cover
It can’t tell you why a trailer sways, and it can’t replace a scale. Percentages assume the trailer is loaded the way you’ll tow it. Boat trailers often run lighter than 10%; follow the trailer maker’s number if it gives one.
Reference table: tongue weight by trailer weight (bumper-pull, 10% to 15%)
| Trailer weight (lb) | Low (10%) | Target (12%) | High (15%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,000 | 200 | 240 | 300 |
| 3,000 | 300 | 360 | 450 |
| 4,000 | 400 | 480 | 600 |
| 5,000 | 500 | 600 | 750 |
| 6,000 | 600 | 720 | 900 |
| 7,000 | 700 | 840 | 1,050 |
| 8,000 | 800 | 960 | 1,200 |
| 10,000 | 1,000 | 1,200 | 1,500 |
Fifth wheel (15% to 25%)
| Trailer weight (lb) | Low (15%) | Target (20%) | High (25%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | 1,200 | 1,600 | 2,000 |
| 10,000 | 1,500 | 2,000 | 2,500 |
| 12,000 | 1,800 | 2,400 | 3,000 |
| 14,000 | 2,100 | 2,800 | 3,500 |
Tips
- Too little tongue weight is the classic cause of trailer sway. Too much overloads the truck’s rear axle and steals payload.
- Load heavy items just ahead of the trailer axle, not at the back.
- A weight-distribution hitch spreads tongue weight across the axles. It doesn’t make the tongue lighter and it doesn’t add payload.
- Check the label on your ball mount and receiver. The lowest-rated part sets your tongue limit.
FAQ
How do I calculate my tongue weight?
Multiply the loaded trailer weight by 10% to 15% for a bumper-pull trailer. A 6,200 lb trailer should have 620 to 930 lb on the hitch. To know the real number, weigh it: a tongue scale, a truck stop scale (truck alone, then hitched with trailer wheels off the scale), or the bathroom-scale lever method.
How much tongue weight should a 7,000 lb trailer have?
700 to 1,050 lb for a bumper-pull trailer, using the 10% to 15% range GM and Ram publish. Many owners aim near 12%, about 840 lb. That whole amount comes out of your truck’s payload, so check payload before you hitch up.
What is the tongue weight of a 5,000 lb trailer?
Between 500 and 750 lb if it’s loaded correctly. If yours measures under 500 lb, the trailer is tail-heavy and more likely to sway. Over 750 lb puts extra load on the truck’s rear axle.
What’s a good tongue weight percentage?
10% to 15% for bumper-pull trailers, with about 12% to 13% a common target. Ram calls about 13% ideal. Fifth wheel and gooseneck trailers are different: 15% to 25% of the trailer’s weight sits on the kingpin.
How do I measure tongue weight with a bathroom scale?
For light tongues, rest the coupler on the scale at towing height. For heavier ones, lay a 4 ft board across a pipe placed 1 ft from one end, set the tongue on the long side 3 ft from the pivot as Weigh Safe describes, put the scale under the far end, and multiply the reading by 4.
Does a weight distribution hitch reduce tongue weight?
No. It moves some of the tongue load forward to the truck’s front axle and back to the trailer’s axles, which levels the rig and restores steering grip. The tongue still weighs the same and still counts against payload.
Related tools and pages
Sources
- Chevrolet, 2026 Trailering Guide · read 2026-10-19
- Ford, 2026 RV & Trailer Towing Guide · read 2026-10-20
- CURT, 5th wheel hitches 101 · read 2026-10-19
- Weigh Safe, How to measure tongue weight · read 2026-10-19
- Equal-i-zer, Why tongue weight matters · read 2026-10-19
Written by Sikander Mushtaq. I build HitchMath's calculators and check every towing number against the manufacturer's own guide or spec page. Read how we calculate.
Last updated: 2026-10-19 · Editorial policy
HitchMath figures come from manufacturer documents and are for planning only. Your truck's door-jamb sticker, owner's manual and a scale ticket are the final word.