How to Lower The Tongue Weight of Trailer

Question:

I currently have a vehicle with a trailer towing package. The towing information I received with the vehicle says that it can tow up to 5,000lbs with a 500lb tongue weight. The trailer I am looking at has a 5,000lb GVWR with a 631lb tongue weight. Is there anything I can purchase and install that would lessen the tongue weight.

asked by: Charlie

Expert Reply:

The vehicle manufacturers tow rating is always going to be the final word as far as towing capacity goes. In some cases using a weight distribution system can raise the towing capacity of a given receiver hitch, but it will not be able to raise the capacity of the vehicle.

It might be possible to redistribute some of the cargo on the trailer further rearward so that the tongue weight is reduced below 500 lbs, in which case towing that particular trailer would be acceptable. Please keep in mind that doing this can affect the handling characteristics of the trailer, and make it more susceptible to trailer sway. Other than moving cargo rearward to reduce the trailer tongue weight, I am sorry to say that there is nothing available that would lower the trailer tongue weight.

If you cannot move the weight around to lower the tongue weight, I would recommend either choosing a trailer with a lower tongue weight or choosing a different tow vehicle that can handle the tongue weight of the trailer you wish to tow. Attempting to tow a trailer that exceeds the capabilities of the vehicle can dramatically curtail the lifespan of the vehicle.

I have linked you to an article that describes a few methods of determining the tongue weight of a trailer.

expert reply by: Mike L

Youssouf A.

7/11/2020

My trailer gooseneck has 14000 lbs I need to reduce 13700 lbs.

Chris R.

7/15/2020

I'm not quite sure what you are asking. If you need to reduce the gooseneck weight you will just have to try and remove any weight that you can to get it down to that 13,700 pound number.