What the animation shows
The animation and the step-by-step video above use your numbers. Here is the same walkthrough written out for the default example.
What you enter
- Loaded trailer weight: 5000 lb.
- Trailer type: Conventional (ball hitch).
- Measured tongue weight (optional): 0 lb. Leave 0 if not measured.
What happens, step by step
- Cargo loads just ahead of the axle, so weight presses on the hitch ball.
- The green band is the 10–15% target for conventional trailers.
- For 5,000 lb, that is 500 lb to 750 lb on the hitch.
- No scale reading entered, so load for the middle of the band.
The answer: minimum recommended is 500 lb.
How it’s calculated
- Conventional: 10–15% of loaded trailer weight
- Fifth-wheel/gooseneck: 15–25%
- Measured % = tongue weight ÷ trailer weight
Worked example
A 5,000 lb conventional trailer.
Inputs
- Loaded trailer weight
- 5000 lb
- Trailer type
- Conventional (ball hitch)
- Measured tongue weight (optional)
- 0 lb
Results
- Minimum recommended
- 500 lb
- Maximum recommended
- 750 lb
- Your measured percentage
- 0%
Assumptions and limits
- Industry rule-of-thumb ranges; follow the trailer and vehicle manufacturer’s specific guidance.
Verify the result against the applicable local code, adopted code edition, manufacturer instructions and project requirements. See our methodology.
Questions
What should tongue weight be?
About 10–15% of the loaded trailer weight for conventional trailers — 500 to 750 lb for a 5,000 lb trailer.
Does tongue weight count against payload?
Yes. All of it (plus the hitch hardware) is carried by the tow vehicle.