How to Determine Tongue Weight of an 18,000 Pound Trailer  

Question:

Helpful Expert Reply:

Tongue weight is typically 10 to 15 percent of the gross trailer weight. However there are several trailers that do not follow this rule; such as toy haulers as one example, which can be as much as 20 percent or so of the gross trailer weight.

If your trailer weighs 18,000 pounds when loaded and ready to tow then 10 to 15 percent would be 1,800 to 2,700 pounds. If your tongue weight is actually 6,000 pounds then that would mean it is about 33 percent of the gross trailer weight.

This does not seem like it is correct. I recommend determining the tongue weight of the trailer by using a method described in the FAQ article I have linked for you. Even the most robust hitches we carry, Super Titan hitches, only go up to 4,000 pounds tongue weight capacity so it does not seem feasible that the tongue weight is 6,000 pounds.

We do have some ball mounts that have well over 18,000 pounds of capacity but they are specialty type ball mounts like pintle hooks. What vehicle are you towing with and what is the hitch rated for? I can provide a better option with more information.

expert reply by: Michael H

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