Trailer Weight Distribution Calculator
Tongue weight should be 10-15% of trailer gross weight for a conventional hitch, or 15-25% for a fifth wheel or gooseneck. A 7,000 lb trailer needs 700-1,050 lb of tongue weight on a bumper hitch.
12.9% is within the safe 10-15% range for a conventional hitch.
After tongue weight, you have 1,200 lb of payload left for passengers and cargo.
How to use the trailer weight distribution calculator
Enter your own numbers in the fields above and the result updates instantly — there is no submit step, no account, and no data leaves your browser. Everything is computed client-side from the values you type, so you can try several scenarios back to back and compare the outcomes without reloading the page.
For the most realistic result, use figures that reflect how you actually drive rather than best-case numbers. Fuel prices vary by state and by season, annual mileage is usually higher than people estimate, and EPA combined MPG is a laboratory rating that most drivers fall roughly 10-15% short of in mixed real-world use — more in cold weather, heavy traffic, or at sustained highway speeds. Running the calculation twice, once with optimistic inputs and once with conservative ones, gives you a realistic range instead of a single misleading number.
Treat the output as a planning estimate, not a quote. It does not include insurance, registration, financing interest, depreciation, or unscheduled repairs, all of which can move total ownership cost more than fuel does over a five-year window.
Frequently asked questions
How does the trailer weight distribution calculator work?
Tongue weight should be 10-15% of trailer gross weight for a conventional hitch, or 15-25% for a fifth wheel or gooseneck. A 7,000 lb trailer needs 700-1,050 lb of tongue weight on a bumper hitch.
What happens if tongue weight is too low?
Too little tongue weight (under 10%) lets the trailer sway side to side at speed, which can become dangerous, especially in crosswinds or when being passed by trucks.
What happens if tongue weight is too high?
Too much tongue weight (over 15% on a conventional hitch) overloads the rear axle and hitch, can exceed your tow vehicle's payload capacity, and causes the front end to feel light and vague to steer.
Is it free?
Yes. The calculator runs entirely in your browser, needs no sign-up, and nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere.
Where can I find my vehicle's specs?
Look it up on its AutoSpecData model page — every figure comes from official manufacturer and EPA data, broken out by year, engine and drivetrain.
Don't know your MPG?
Every vehicle on AutoSpecData lists its official EPA city, highway and combined ratings year by year. Search your vehicle or start from the fuel economy rankings.