Boat trailers usually aim for about 5–7% of gross trailer weight on the tongue (default 6%).
Reach for the boat trailer tongue weight calculator when a planning number depends on measurements you already have on the boat or trailer. Enter gross trailer weight gtw (lb), target percent (%), and measured tongue weight (lb, optional).
Boat trailers usually aim for about 5–7% of gross trailer weight on the tongue (default 6%).
Target tongue weight is GTW times your chosen percent. The page also shows the 5% and 7% band edges common for many boat trailers. If you enter a measured TW, it is compared to the target and band.
target_TW = GTW × (percent ÷ 100)
band_5 = GTW × 0.05 | band_7 = GTW × 0.07
Follow your trailer and hitch ratings. Too little tongue weight can cause sway; too much can overload the hitch.
Start with the calculator’s default entries: Gross trailer weight GTW (lb) = 4500; Target percent (%) = 6.
With those entries the calculator returns:
270 lb target TW
5–7% band: 225–315 lb. Enter measured TW to compare.
target = 4500 × (6/100) = 270.0 lb
5% = 225.0 lb; 7% = 315.0 lb
Formula used: target_TW = GTW × (percent ÷ 100) band_5 = GTW × 0.05 | band_7 = GTW × 0.07
One input at a time. Raise Gross trailer weight GTW (lb) from 4500 to 6750 and leave everything else alone. The result becomes:
405 lb target TW
5–7% band: 338–473 lb. Enter measured TW to compare.
target = 6750 × (6/100) = 405.0 lb
5% = 337.5 lb; 7% = 472.5 lb
Assumptions: inputs for this boat trailer tongue weight estimate match the hints (soundings, nameplate Ah, marked tank capacity, and so on).
Many marine guides use that band for conventional boat trailers. Some setups differ — check the trailer maker. Default here is mid-band 6%.
No. This page is the boat-trailer percent target vs GTW. It is not a hitch-class or ball-mount catalog.
Tongue scale, or a bathroom scale with a pipe/lever method rated for the load. Stay within scale capacity.