How to Determine the Tongue Weight of Gooseneck or Fifth Wheel Trailer

Updated 05/21/2018 | Published 05/18/2018

Question:

I read on here the proper way to determine tougne weight is to weigh tow vehicle with out trailer...then connect trailer and weigh again...and the difference is supposed to be the tougne weight ? Its hard to believe this is correct cause that means I have over 12000 lbs of tougne weight. Please correct me on this matter. Thank you

asked by: Jerry

Expert Reply:

It sounds like you may have weighed the truck first and then attached the trailer and weighed the truck and trailer together on the scale; that would be the only way I can think of that you would get 12,000 lbs.

What you want to do is weigh your truck, attach the trailer and weigh ONLY your truck once again. Whatever the larger number is, subtract it from the smaller number and you have your tongue weight.

expert reply by: Kyle S