Towing calculator

RV Tongue Weight Calculator

Calculate tongue weight as a percentage of loaded trailer weight. Use actual loaded weights when possible; published dry weights can understate real travel weight.

Tongue-weight percentage
Entered tongue weight
Trailer weight

Formula: tongue-weight % = tongue weight ÷ loaded trailer weight × 100. Many conventional travel-trailer references use roughly 10–15% as a common planning range, but the correct setup depends on the trailer, hitch, tow vehicle and manufacturer guidance.

Why dry tongue weight is not enough

Water, batteries, propane, cargo and where you load gear can materially change tongue weight. The useful number is the loaded configuration you actually tow.

Payload can become the bottleneck

Tongue weight is carried by the tow vehicle and therefore consumes payload. Check your tow vehicle’s payload, axle ratings, hitch rating and tire ratings separately.