Ideal Tongue Weight for Enclosed Car Hauler Trailer

Published 05/29/2021

Question:

Weight distribution systems are always quoted in Gross Trailer Weight and Tongue Weight. The Tongue Weight seems to always be quoted as 10 of Gross Trailer Weight. I have a 24foot enclosed car trailer holding a 2015 Camaro. I can move the car forward or backward in the trailer to achieve whatever tongue weight I should have. Should I target a 10 tongue weight?

asked by: Brian T

Expert Reply:

Ideally, you'll want your tongue weight between 10-15%. If you can pinpoint it that closely, I'd split the difference and shoot for 12-1/2 percent. Without enough tongue weight, you can have sway issues, with too much, you can have a lot of sag that needs to be compensated for with weight distribution. If you can move things around so that you have about 12-1/2%, you'll have some wiggle room on either side, which is exactly what you want.

If you don't have a tongue weight scale, the etrailer scale # e99044 is an easy way to determine or tweak your tongue weight. It's a very handy item to have.

expert reply by: Mike L