Tongue Weight Counts Against Payload

Tongue weight counts against payload because that weight is carried by the truck.

TowMargin adds estimated tongue weight to passengers, cab and bed cargo, hitch hardware, and accessories when estimating used payload.

Use a measured tongue weight if you have one. Otherwise, use an estimate based on loaded trailer weight and an editable tongue weight percentage.

A 6,500 lb loaded travel trailer at 13% tongue weight adds about 845 lb to the truck before driver, passengers, gear, and hitch hardware are added.

Recheck payload rating, receiver tongue rating, loaded trailer weight, and scale readings before relying on a close result.

How much of the loaded trailer is carried by the truck?

Use in calculator

Use loaded trailer weight and tongue weight percent to estimate the truck load added at the hitch.

Tongue weight as truck load

Loaded trailer
6,500 lb The trailer weight used for the tongue weight estimate.
Tongue weight percent
13% A common starting estimate when no measured tongue weight is available.
Truck payload used
845 lb This is added to passengers, cargo, hitch hardware, and accessories.

Check together

  • Payload rating
  • Loaded trailer weight
  • Tongue weight percent or measured tongue weight
  • Receiver tongue rating
  • Truck cargo and hitch hardware

Use the towing margin calculator