Figures Used to Determine Tongue Weight and Trailer Weight for Axle Placement

Question:

Hi there, I was looking over a great explanation by Jameson C on how to determine the correct axle position on a 3 axle trailer. link, I am a bit confused by the wheel weight and the total weight terminology, but also on what the tongue weight should be. In my understanding the wheel weight is actually the gross weight of the trailer and the tongue weight should be at 10 of the gross weight. For example, my trailer weights in at 16,886 lbs so the tongue weight should be at 1,688 lbs. Currently my trailer is too heavy and the tongue weight is 3,600 lbs. In the calculation that he showed, the total weight is determined by adding the tongue weight and the wheel weight. The tongue weight is determined by the actual tongue weight divided by the total weight. That is where i am getting a bit confused. According to the calculations, the tongue weight on my trailer is at 17.5 but @ 3600 lbs thats more like 21.5 If you possible could you please help me to determine what is correct or any feed back to better understand this will definitely help.

asked by: JOSE G

Expert Reply:

If your trailer weighs 16.8k lbs yeah you'd want to get the tongue around 1,700 like you mentioned. At 3,600 lbs tongue weight your axles are too far back and would need to be brought forward to better balance that out.

In the picture you mentioned the wheel weight and tongue weight (actual) are weights that are recorded with scales. When you then go to determine the movement needed to obtain the correct placement for ideal tongue weight you use the formula with the total weight of the trailer being the two recorded numbers mentioned.

expert reply by: Jameson C