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Measure your trailer's tongue weight with this easy-to-use scale. Connect the scale to either your trailer's ball coupler or to its 2" jack for a weight reading. Unlike other scales, blocks or wood are not needed for setup.
Features:
Specs:
Tongue weight (TW) refers to the weight that the fully loaded trailer exerts downward on the hitch ball of the tow vehicle. Tongue weight is typically 10 percent - and should not exceed 15 percent - of your gross trailer weight. For example, a 10,000-lb trailer should have a tongue weight between 1,000 lbs and 1,500 lbs. You can adjust the tongue weight of your trailer by removing or adding cargo, or by redistributing the load on the trailer. The tongue weight should not exceed the capacity of your tow vehicle, your hitch, or any of your towing components.
Simply put, too little tongue weight can cause trailer sway and too much tongue weight can cause the tow vehicle to perform poorly. You may have difficulty steering, gaining traction, or braking when driving a setup that has too much weight pushing down on the rear of the vehicle. Ultimately, towing with an improper tongue weight can cause you to lose control of your vehicle or cause your trailer to separate from the vehicle.
The etrailer tongue weight scale has 2 different configurations, which provides you with some nice flexibility when you're loading up your trailer. The standard configuration lets you measure your trailer's tongue weight at the coupler.
First, get set up on stable, level ground - like your driveway or a parking lot - to ensure that the scale will function properly. Position the scale right under your coupler so that the ball will fit into the coupler's socket. Lower your trailer down until its weight is fully supported by the scale and not the jack. Then use the scale's gauge to determine the tongue weight.
You can also use this scale at the trailer jack, without the hassle of having to disconnect and move your truck or trailer out of the way. Just attach the scale to your jack's 2" inner tube instead. To set up the scale, remove the pins and clips, pull out the center support tube, and replace it with just the top portion of the scale, which includes the gauge and hitch ball. The scale will sit upside down in the foot, with the ball on the bottom. Once it's in place, secure the scale to the foot with one of the pins.
To attach the scale to your jack, first crank the trailer jack until the footplate or wheel is about 8" off the ground. Then remove the footplate or wheel from the jack and replace it with the scale, pinning the scale in place. Lower the jack until the scale's footplate is sitting on the ground. Unlatch the coupler from the hitch ball and raise your trailer until it is supported entirely by the jack (and the scale). Then use the scale's gauge to determine the tongue weight.
Note: The etrailer tongue weight scale is not intended as a trailer support device. The scale should not be left on the jack during travel or storage.
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Excellent quality. Easy to use. Working fine a year later. It is necessary when making decisions on what goes where in a new camper, in the front pass through storage and on the back cargo carrier to ensure the tongue weight is in the proper range. Now I use it once in a while and when the load may have changed to make sure the weight distribution is still good. It only takes a few minutes more before hooking up to get the weight.
A tongue weight scale should be in every toy hauler owner's trailer only because with a toy hauler, the load is never the same weight or in the same place. Loading the trailer too far forward can have catastrophic results. Knowing the exact tongue weight avoids an event like this. Best $100 I've ever spent. This scale is also well built and includes various setup adapters.
Works great, but the meniscus in the gage makes it difficult to read and there is no information available on how to top up the oil in the gage. There is a plug, but it is unknown if it is removable and what oil to use. 5 stars if there was maintenance information available. Considering trying to rotate the gage with a wrench....
Katrina D.
6/11/2024
So, I have gotten in contact with the manufacturer. The oil does not need to be topped off in the gauge, it is filled in order to reduce damage to the gauges in the event of a pressure spike in the vessel. It is not meant to be removed, only to be replaced if there is an issue with a non-functioning gauge. Looking at the photo, this is the normal fill level. We dont fill it up all the way so there is no build up of pressure in the gauges face itself. The oil in the vessel and the oil in the gauges are separate oils, so looking at this... it looks like it is functioning as intended.
Nice tool to have if you're camping, boating, or landscaping. Takes the guesswork out of loading your trailer.
Use it to confirm how well I have loaded and balanced the trailer loading especially before starting a long trip with a full load and full water tanks. Compliments weighing calculations when using commercial scales to confirm 10% to 15% tongue weight guideline. It is a bit short for my trailer (my tongue is higher than average) so I use wood blocks to raise it up. I find storing it in a warm place helps (I live in a cold climate).
Comes with good instructions very easy to use. Proper tongue weight ensures the load is balanced, preventing trailer sway, improving handling, and maximizing the towing capacity of the vehicle.
Does what it is supposed to do. I would recommend having front the stabilizer jacks very close to the ground. It is not stable. The trailer will likely tip to one side of the other.
It is really nice and easy to use to dial in that tongue weight. Cons. It leaks.
Brooke M.
5/2/2025
Hey Byron! Thanks for letting us know If it's leaking it won't show the proper number on the gauge so we are going to send you a new one :)
I have a 2016 Sprinter (Airstream Interstate) which has a pulling capacity of 5000 pounds and a tongue weight capacity of 500 pounds. I purchased a 2024 ATC, Aluminum Trailer Company 7 x 14 trailer to move furniture from Atlanta to Charleston. Given the Sprinter’s limitations, I wanted to keep it as smooth and light as possible. I made five trips back and forth, and on each trip, I used the scale while loading. It really helped to keep the trailer in an optimal riding position, and I didn’t have to worry about damaging my Sprinter. Follow the math, and you’ll be OK.
I needed to figure out my hitch weight to make sure the payload capacity of my vehicle was adequate. I liked the fact that this unit did not require building a set of blocks to get top the correct height. Everyone should know the hitch weight of their trailer for safety. The brochure for mine said 760 lbs. With propane tanks, battery, ball assembly and sway control bars I came in at 1070lbs. A substantial difference. I now need a new tow vehicle as my current ride has a payload of just 1200lbs.
This device is easy to use and easy to stow. Providing the gauge is accurate, it allows the user to move items in trailer to accommodate proper tongue weight. Much easier than going to a scale. And, if you change your load mid trip, you can easily check the tongue weight in a parking lot. I used it on a cross country trip with my 7x14 foot enclosed cargo trailer loaded with 3 motorcycles, tool boxes, and other totes. I was at maximum weight capacity for the trailer and wanted the weight distribution to be perfect for my trip. After estimating the weight distribution and checking with the tongue weight scale, I moved several heavy items to the back of the trailer and got the weight on the tongue correct. Felt great driving, knowing that I had my load proper for the truck and trailer combo. Worth the money!
I use it every time we take the travel trailer out.
It helps me make sure we’re not over weight. I have also verified the accuracy by using the cat scales so I know I’m good.
In my review of the tongue scale, in the following pictures, you can see in the picture the scale in action with the tongue weight is 2,000 lbs. after all the weight is removed off the tongue jack. The dry weight of the Toyhauler is 10,926 lbs. and the GVWR is 16,000 lbs. I built a box with padding to protect the scale from damage. The reason I purchased this scale is to know what the tongue weight is when the weight with and without a UTV/Side by Side is inside the Toyhauler trailer. The garage is 17 feet long and the total payload capacity of the trailer is 5,074 lbs. If you but have a 14 ft. long or 12 ft. long toy and drive it into the trailer, were you place the toy inside the trailer the 17 ft. long garage. It can have a big effect on tongue weight if the toy is centered over the triple axle or is farther forward or the toy is closer to the loading ramp. The weight of a 2,500 lb. toy can move a lot of weight around and inside the trailer when you have 3 or 5 ft. of space to achieve the correct loading to stay within the (1,600 to 2400 lbs. when fully loaded) or 10% to 15% rule on the bumper pull tongue weight guidelines. The total tongue weight is 2,000 lbs. with the trailer almost down to the dry weight rating. Because there is no toy inside the trailer to counterbalance the nose weight of the Toyhauler the trailer tongue weight is higher than it should be so a weight distribution hitch is critical.
Steve 
2/28/2023
Great, I should have bought this scale first before I purchased my first hitch, the rule of thumb of 10 to 15 is a good wild guess but not true. The only way to know the trailer coupler tongue weights is to measure where the hitch ball connects to the tow vehicle. In my case, it was almost 20
The e-trailer Tongue Weight Scale is an excellent addition to our camping trailer tool kit! Now, with the addition of the scale, the ongoing husband/wife discussion of what to pack and how much to pack as we prepare to winter in a warmer climate can now be based on actually knowing, versus guessing about the trailer’s tongue weight. With this information, we are now able to strategically balance the weight distribution of our load. It’s a happy day!
Solid choice to get tongue weight. Well built and seems to be accurate. A must have to adjust load distribution and safely tow. Highly recommend.
Product arrived on time, packaged very well and in excellent condition. My first weight measurement taken indicated my suspension; heavier than anticipated. Using the bathroom scale method did give me a ball park idea of where the trailer was weight wise. After the ease of using the eTrailer scale, this was so simple and more accurate. I knew I was much heavier than posted tongue weight from my modifications and the scale proved it. 350-400 lbs estimated from the manufacture (empty) turned out to be 800 lbs the way the trailer is loaded. It will be interesting to see where my weight equalization bars are for distribution next. This is not my first order from eTrailer; I'd recommend this scale and ordering from eTrailers excellent service to anyone requiring parts and accessories.
Donald D.
5/2/2024
eTrailers tongue weight scales continue to be used to maintain a balanced trailer weight. Still highly recommend this product for any trailer owner.
Checking the weight on my cargo trailer, the Tongue Weight Scale worked great and accurate. Very easy to use and set up.
This tongue weight scale is not something you use on an everyday basis. However, I feel it's very critical to have something like this to make sure that your camper is balanced properly to help prevent sway. I set up a new camper using this and got it balanced the way it was supposed to be. I haven't had any problems with sway whatsoever. I do wish that the base on it was a little bit larger, because sometimes it's hard to get it to balance and not move side to side. This is not a problem if you are on a solid surface like concrete but I added a 2x8 to the bottom of mine to help.
I’m guessing I should have purchased something with a smaller scale of weight, maybe 1,000lb instead of this one at 2,000lb I have added weight 100lbs and taken it away 100lbs and the scale doesn’t change. Shows 600lbs. Didn’t really help me out. Not accurate at on the lower weights. Might be fine if you’re weighing something closer to 1,000 lbs or more.
If you are weighing something on the lower end of what this weighs try something else with scale ranging from 0- 1,000.
I admit that I had my doubts because this thing is stupid expensive. But the design seemed superior and after receiving it, I have to admit it is extremely well built and provides the accuracy I want for the safety I need. I particularly like the versatility of measuring tongue weight before and after everything is loaded and hitched to the tow vehicle. So yes, it IS stupid expensive, but totally worth it.
Easy to use!
Gives me the information I need.
Don't forget to chock your wheels when using!
Awesome way to measure tongue weight. Highly recommend!
Thank you, works well. I've only used it twice though. But good for what I need
Works well and easy to use and read.
Great scale to get a quick tongue weight on my travel trailer. It has helped me to know where to distribute the weight in the trailer and not go over my max tongue weight.
Donald
6/15/2024
The scale has been very useful since I purchased it a year ago. I use it when ever we are pulling our travel trailer. The makes sure I am not over weight on the tongue. It also lets me know if I need to redistribute the weight int trailer. I would highly recommend this scale.
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William
6/1/2025
I use this scale every time before I hook up to my trailer.