Best Way to Measure Tongue Weight For Weight Distribution

Updated 02/19/2024 | Published 02/17/2024

Question:

I weigh my truck with an rv trailer using a weight distribution system. I was told by CAT station weighing just the rv trailer while it’s connected to the tow vehicle is sufficient to only get the rv weight is this correct? Is some of rv weight over or towards the front axle of the tow vehicle?

asked by: Ricky E

Expert Reply:

There can be weight applied to the tow vehicle, so to measure tongue weight for weight distribution at a commercial scale, what you want to do is, with your vehicle and trailer fully loaded like you're headed on a trip, drive on to the scale with all 4 wheels of the truck and record the weight of the truck with the trailer attached.

Then unhook the trailer and jack up the trailer tongue so there is no weight on the hitch ball (make sure that the trailer jack is not on the scale). Record the weight of only the truck on the scale. This is your gross vehicle weight (GVW). Subtract the GVW from the weight of the truck with the trailer attached. That number is the tongue weight of your trailer.

Having said that, the much easier way is just to use a scale, the 2,000 lb capacity etrailer Tongue Weight Scale # e99044.

This is just put under your coupler and will easily measure your tongue weight so you don't have to go through the process of the scales.

expert reply by: Kyle S