Tongue Weight

[buckle97]

Is there any rule of thumb or simple way to judge tongue weight? I'm doing my best to get my tractor weight in the right spot on my trailer and I am wanting to make sure I have the right amount of tongue weight.

Thanks,
Lawrence

 

[Bird]

You would like to have 10-15% tongue weight. When there was no way for me to weigh one, I used to just measure (tape or yardstick) the height of the back bumper from the ground with no load on the trailer, then load the trailer in such a manner as to lower the back end of the pickup approximately one inch.

 

[buckle97]

I used to just measure (tape or yardstick) the height of the back bumper from the ground with no load on the trailer, then load the trailer in such a manner as to lower the back end of the pickup approximately one inch.

Exactly what I was looking for; just a way to get a quick estimate of my tongue weight. Thanks Bird!

 

[Diamondpilot]

I do the same sort thing. I just stand at the bumper and note where it is on my leg then load and compare. After a while you get a feel for it and can just wing it. You will know real quick if you do not have sufficient tongue weight. The tail will wag the dog, or in other words the trucks steering will become very squirrely.

Chris

 

[JB4310]

I don't have alot of experience with equipment trailer loading, but I've found that as I'm driving on the trailer I can see when the weight is shifted back down onto truck's hitch, then I just inch forward a little more so I know there is a decent amount of weight on the tongue.

JB.

 

[buckle97]

Thanks for the advice guys.

 

[burnetma]

Disclosure: I can not take credit for this as I read it on this site, but it is the best way I have heard yet.

The person recommended measuring the hitch height unladen. They step on the hitch and remeasure the hitch height. If the hitch dropped 1/2" and you weigh 200 lbs, then the spring rate is 400 lb/in. That ratio will hold for the normal range of motion of the springs (not exactly true for leaf springs, but close enough for this purpose). So, if your trailer weight is 10,000 lbs and you are looking for 1000 to 1500 lbs tongue weight, you want to see the hitch drop 2-1/2 to 3-3/4 inches.

Formula:
Desired hitch drop = (measured hitch drop x trailer weight x 0.10)/(your weight)
Desired hitch drop = (0.5" x 10,000 lbs x 0.10) / (200 lbs)
Desired hitch drop = 2.5"

 

[jimainiac]

I agree with the other guys that measuring the rear bumper height is a really good ballpark way of figuring the approximate tongue weight. I have my doubts about extrapolating a 200lb. weight out to a 1000lb. tongue weight, though. I think that at some point you need to get an idea of what it takes to settle the rear of the particular truck. There's a big difference between the amount of drop you'll see in a 1/2 ton, v. a 3/4 or 1 ton truck.

 

[Bird]

[There's a big difference between the amount of drop you'll see in a 1/2 ton, v. a 3/4 or 1 ton truck./QUOTE]

Good point and certainly correct.

 

[jimainiac]

Not to range too far off the topic of how to judge tongue weight, but I'd like to mention the ability of a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup to better handle the kind of tongue weight involved in pulling tractors around. We had a 1/2 ton pickup when we first got a 2 horse trailer. First, I added an extra leaf spring. Then, for good measure, I added a set of Timbren overloads. That solved the saggy rear end problem, even when we went to a 3 horse bumper-pull. What it didn't do was increase the weight rating of the rear axle or the size of the brakes, along with the rest of the running gear. Our two present trucks are a 3/4 ton and a 1 ton single rear wheel. Now that we also have a 10,000 lb. trailer for our Kubota L3830 w/ backhoe, I can't imagine trying to use a 1/2 ton truck, no matter where the bumper sat.

 

[skipmarcy]

Another way to visually check the suspension load on a truck would be to look at the distance between the rubber bumpers on the frame to the axle/spring it contacts when the suspension is bottomed-out. I try to leave at least an inch or better before the bumpers contact. I find this is more accurate than looking at the rear bumper height although when I load my tractor I watch the rear of the truck drop and I can get the tractor positioned pretty close to perfect after doing it hundreds of times. Just moving the tractor forward or back 1 or 2 inches makes a big difference in handling !! Experiment and find your sweet spot for your tractor & trailer.

 

[newbury]

Here's a good way to calculate trailer tongue weight:
Tongue Weight Scale

 

[RWolf]

The way I do it is to drive the tractor on until the weight shifts forward. Then I step off to the side and look for a level plane between the truck and trailer (keeping in mind that my trailer and truck are set up to be level when unloaded). Anyway after that I move the tractor abit forward to place more weight on the tongue. If when driving it doesn't feel right I'll re-adjust. After a few times it becomes second nature to position it correctly. You don't want to much weight on the tongue or you'll start fish tailing when trying to slow done. Did that with a load of hay one time. One time was enough.

Good luck.

 

[Wayne's Train]

You know the best way to tell is to stop at a truck stop that has scales, drop the trailer on the scale with the tounge on the second platform and the trailor wheels on the third, all four truck tires on the first. Have them weigh everything. Then, if you really want to get technical you can move the trailor to the point where your rear trailor tires are on the third platform, your front trailor tires are on the second, drop the trailor again and the toungue should be on the first. Then reweigh. You'll know how well your load is really distributed. Then hook up your trailor again, reweigh with your front truck tires on the first platform, your rear truck tires on the second, and your trailor tires on the third. The first weigh is usually $9. Each reweigh costs $1. It doesn't take long and you'll either feel good knowing your load is well distributed, or you'll know what changes to make.

 

[Highbeam]

I do that at the closed freeway weigh stations. Our stations leave the scale window open so guys like me can weigh our trucks. The empty PJ trailer that I own was exactly 10% tongue weight when empty. The real risk is too little tongue weight which will cause sway which leads to flipped over trucks and trailers.

 

[schmism]

another easy way for tongue weight is to go to local elevator. pull the truck on the scale with the loaded trailer off the scale and weigh

then pull off the scale and unhook the trailer, put truck back on scale.

the diffrence in weights is your tongue weight. should take about 10 min to do.

 

[Duffster]

another easy way for tongue weight is to go to local elevator. pull the truck on the scale with the loaded trailer off the scale and weigh

then pull off the scale and unhook the trailer, put truck back on scale.

the diffrence in weights is your tongue weight. should take about 10 min to do.

You are exactly right

Very simple and no need to make it more complicated

 

[newbury]

another easy way for tongue weight is to go to local elevator. pull the truck on the scale with the loaded trailer off the scale and weigh

then pull off the scale and unhook the trailer, put truck back on scale.

the diffrence in weights is your tongue weight. should take about 10 min to do.

I live about 15 miles south of the Washington Monument. Do you think I could use their elevator?

Seriously, a lot of us don't live near elevators or scales. But probably more of us have bathroom scales and a board.