Towing Education
Hitch Weight vs Tongue Weight: Why You Need to Know the Difference
If you’re new to the towing process, it’s reasonable to get confused about hitch weight vs tongue weight. What’s the difference? When it comes to driving safely, you can’t afford to be wrong.
Is hitch weight the same as tongue weight? Here’s a quick answer: hitch weight and tongue weight both help you measure your towing setup, but in different areas. Getting these two terms mixed up can put your towed weight at risk for swaying or becoming stranded out on the road.
Our guide will break down how to measure each weight, how they impact safety, and how our tools can help you out.
What is Tongue Weight?
Your tongue weight is the amount of your trailer’s load that pushes down on the hitch ball. You’ll need to know tongue weight to use bumper-pull or travel trailers.
What is Hitch Weight?
Hitch weight is a little confusing since it still relates closely to tongue weight. Your hitch weight is the amount of force that your hitch device and the vehicle receiver will have to support from the trailer’s tongue.
Hitch Weight vs Tongue Weight: The Key Differences
Now that you have a better idea of the differences, let’s see how these two weight measurements manifest in daily life. Below is a simple table showing the most common use cases and effects of hitch weight and tongue weight.
How to Manage Your Hitch Weight and Tongue Weight Safely
If you’re still a little new to hitch weight vs tongue weight, we have an easy tool that will save you time without compromising your safety. We offer a simple online tool that helps you calculate tongue weight so you don’t have to play guesswork.
A Fifth Wheel Hitch is a truck bed hitch that links a semi-trailer to a towing truck or tractor unit. If you need a starting point as you put yours together, use our tool and keep these tips in mind:
- Fifth Wheel Hitch is vehicle-dependent and usually only works in trucks
- You need to calibrate your truck bed length alongside hitch weight and tongue weight
- Stick to the 80% towing rule: Never haul a load heavier than 80% of your towing vehicle’s towing capacity
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my hitch weight is too high for my vehicle?
Failing to calculate your hitch weight correctly will make it more difficult to drive, brake, and park. You’ll also put excess wear and tear on your vehicle, which can lead to more frequent repair jobs or sudden breakdowns.
What size truck do I need to pull a 6,000-lb camper?
A mid-size truck with a towing capacity of at least 6,500 lbs is a good start for a 6,000-lb camper. However, if you can get a towing capacity of 7,000 lbs or more, that’s even better.
Where do you put the heaviest stuff on a trailer?
The majority of the weight (60-65%) should be in front of the trailer axle. The rest of the weight should be to the rear of the axle to keep your load carefully distributed.
Can I tow a trailer with a higher Gross Vehicle Weight Rating than my truck?
No, you shouldn’t tow a trailer with a higher GVWR than your truck because you’ll put yourself at risk of poor handling and even legal fines. The GVWR is crucial to protect both passengers and the load you’re carrying.
Calculate Hitch Weight vs Tongue Weight With Weigh Safe
At Weigh Safe, we want to make sure you’re able to haul loads safely and drive confidently, no matter what. With our simple online calculator and adjustable trailer hitches, you can rest easy knowing you’re always towing the right way.
Need a place to start? Check out our ball mounts and gooseneck ball hitches for your next towing set-up.
