tongue weight

[Big_Ray]

Hello trying to figure out what the tongue weight is on my set up. I have a 6x12 Utility Trailer weighting around 900lbs and the golf cart is 1300lbs. So what would the tongue weight be around? Thanks

[mkirsch]

You should be able to weigh the tongue of a trailer that small with a simple bathroom scale.

It can be calculated, but you would need to know a whole bunch of other things before you could get anything other than a wild guess.

If you had:
1. Front and rear axle weights of the golf cart.
2. Axle weight of the trailer.
3. Distance from the hitch coupler to the axle of the trailer.
4. Distance from the hitch coupler to the front axle of the golf cart.
5. Distance from the front axle of the golf cart to the rear axle of the golf cart.

You could calculate tongue weight...

Another way to do it:
1. Distance from the front of the golf car to its center of gravity.
2. Distance from the hitch coupler to the trailer's center of gravity.
3. Distance from the hitch coupler to the front of the golf cart.

It's just easier to wait until your wife isn't looking, sneak into the bathroom, grab the scale, and weigh it.

Just make sure it's not one of those talking scales... It'll probably say "Get off me you cow!"

[Big_Ray]

Thanks everyone

[tonymull]

Assume 15% of the loaded trailer and you will not be far off. So probably 330. Rule of thumb is 10-15%, seldom far off. A single axle trailer with the weight forward might push 20%. Double axles tend toward the 10% unless badly loaded.

[TucsonJim]

MFL wrote:
Jim, I really enjoyed this post, and yes, quite "shade tree", but goes with the OP question, and would give some idea.

Reminds me of the gal wanting to take 1500 lbs of her friends to the dealer, to simulate a loaded trailer weight, and check tongue wt with a Sherline.

It may have worked, if they all stood where needed! 🙂

Jerry

I know it sounds funny, but it works. I did it many years ago and after getting formally weighed, I was off by less than 40 pounds! :B

[MFL]

Jim, I really enjoyed this post, and yes, quite "shade tree", but goes with the OP question, and would give some idea.

Reminds me of the gal wanting to take 1500 lbs of her friends to the dealer, to simulate a loaded trailer weight, and check tongue wt with a Sherline.

It may have worked, if they all stood where needed! 🙂

Jerry

[jmtandem]

Hello trying to figure out what the tongue weight is on my set up. I have a 6x12 Utility Trailer weighting around 900lbs and the golf cart is 1300lbs. So what would the tongue weight be around? Thanks

If it is loaded properly on the trailer you will likely be around 300-350 pounds. However, accurate results require a trip to the scales, a Sherline portable scale or you can even use your bath scale. If you choose to use the bath scale google the internet on how to calculate the results so that the scale weights will work for you.

[TucsonJim]

For a fairly small load like that, there is a way to get a pretty good estimate of the weight.

1. Start with the tow vehicle loaded like when you'll be towing, but with the trailer unhooked.
2. Measure from the top of the bumper to the ground with a tape measure. Record the result.
3. Get several friends around who can help. Weigh each friend, and then have them step on the bumper. Measure the height from the bumper to the ground and record it.
4. Repeat steps 3 with several more friends, adding one at a time until four or five friends are on the bumper.
5. Have the friends get off the bumper and hook up the trailer. Measure the distance from the bumper to the ground.
6. Compare the bumper sag with the trailer vs. the friends. This will give you an approximate tongue weight.

For example, if three friends all weighing 200 pounds drop the bumper 2 inches, and your trailer drops the bumper 2", you'll know the tongue weight is approximately 600 pounds.

This is the "shade tree engineering" method!

Jim

[old_guy]

load it up and take it to a closed state weight station and disconnect the TT and just weight the tongue weight and then you will know for sure. I am lucky, here in eastern Oregon they have many weight stations and they do not stay open 24/7 but
the leave the scales on. I go out and weight my set up every now an then

[Big_Ray]

WNYBob wrote:
It all depends on where you tie down cart! More the farther forward of the axle the more tongue weight.

The cart is at the front of the Utility Trailer.

[WNYBob]

It all depends on where you tie down cart! More the farther forward of the axle the more tongue weight.