Towing Tongue Weight
Calculator
Results
- Tongue weight (kg)
- 150
- Tongue weight (lb)
- 330.693393
- Tongue force (N)
- 1,470.9975
- Weight on trailer axles (kg)
- 1,350
Results
| Tongue weight (kg) | 150 |
| Tongue weight (lb) | 330.693393 |
| Tongue force (N) | 1,470.9975 |
| Weight on trailer axles (kg) | 1,350 |
formula-map diagram
- Tongue weight (kg)
- 150
- Tongue weight (lb)
- 330.693393
- Tongue force (N)
- 1,470.9975
- Weight on trailer axles (kg)
- 1,350
Formula breakdown
Formula
tongue weight = trailer weight × share ÷ 100= 150
Note
Simplified model: results use idealised textbook relationships and ignore real-world factors such as driving style, load, temperature, aerodynamic and rolling losses, drivetrain efficiency, tyre and brake condition and road surface. CO2 figures are tailpipe only, based on the standard 2.31 kg CO2 per litre of petrol (2.68 kg per litre of diesel), and exclude fuel production and distribution. Use them as estimates, not as legal, safety or load-rating figures.
More in Automotive and transport
See all →Frequently asked questions
What is tongue weight and why does it matter for towing safety?+
Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer's coupler exerts on the tow vehicle's hitch, typically recommended to be 10-15% of the total loaded trailer weight. Too little tongue weight can cause dangerous trailer sway, while too much can overload the tow vehicle's rear axle and hitch rating.
How is tongue weight calculated or estimated from trailer weight distribution?+
It's derived from the trailer's total weight and where its center of gravity sits relative to the axle(s) and the hitch coupling point — essentially a moment (weight × distance) balance similar to a see-saw, where cargo placement forward or aft of the axle shifts the resulting tongue weight.
What's a common misconception about tongue weight and trailer sway?+
Many people think trailer sway is mainly caused by wind or driving too fast, but a leading cause is insufficient tongue weight — when too little of the trailer's weight rests on the hitch, the trailer's rear end and axle area become more prone to fishtailing, especially at highway speeds or with passing trucks.
Why does loading cargo further back in the trailer reduce tongue weight?+
Moving weight rearward, further from the hitch and closer to or behind the axle, shifts more of the trailer's weight-bearing moment onto its own wheels rather than onto the hitch. This is the same lever-arm principle as loading forward increasing tongue weight.
Does exceeding your tow vehicle's tongue weight rating matter even if you're under the total towing capacity?+
Yes — tongue weight rating is a separate limit from overall towing capacity, tied to the hitch and rear axle/suspension of the tow vehicle. A trailer can be within total towing capacity but still exceed the tongue weight limit if too much of its weight is concentrated near the front, straining the tow vehicle's rear suspension and hitch.