Tongue Weight vs Gross Towing Weight Ratings Explained for Gooseneck and 5th Wheel Hitches

Updated 07/08/2022 | Published 07/06/2022

Question:

Hello. the Gross towing weight: 30,000 lbs refers to the payload only? or its the trailer and payload combine to 30K max? Also what this refers to Tongue weight: 7,500 lbs

asked by: Antonio

Helpful Expert Reply:

Great questions!

The Center Section for B&W Turnoverball Underbed Gooseneck Hitch # BWGNRC950 weight ratings are the following:

Gross towing weight: 30,000 lbs
Tongue weight: 7,500 lbs

Gross towing weight refers to the pulling or horizontal weight capacity of the hitch while tongue weight refers to the amount of downward force the hitch can take where the connection point is made. A properly loaded gooseneck trailer should have a tongue weight that's about 20% of the weight of the trailer so if you were to tow a 30K trailer with this hitch you'd shoot for a 6K tongue weight rating.

Payload refers to the strength of your truck bed itself. Gooseneck and 5th wheel hitches tend to have a higher tongue weight rating than the truck payload but that's because the hitches are transferring that weight directly to the frame of the truck while the payload has to do with the strength of the truck body as well.

Attached is a photo to help further demonstrate the forces at play in a gooseneck towing setup as well as a link to our library of helpful articles you can reference. This B&W center section is just a piece of the gooseneck hitch though. If you let me know the year/make/model of your truck I can see if there are custom-fit brackets that install directly to the frame of your pickup.

expert reply by: Jon G