Tongue Weight

The weight of the hitch would go against payload, but it it's forward of the pivot point of the hitch. So the weight pressing down on the hitch, wouldn't include the weight of the hitch itself. You can just weigh the tongue without worrying about the hitch.

Where did you get the scale and how much did you pay? I've always thought one would be handy. I never drive anywhere near a CAT scale, and the closest one is 20 some miles away. The time and cost of gas to get to one would almost purchase the scale for me.

The hitch itself needs to be in the calculation for the max weight carried by the tow vehicle for the capacity of the receiver, but not in the weight of the tongue of the trailer. Tongue weight is the weight the trailer places on the hitch. The weight of the hitch plus the tongue weight of the trailer is the number you use for the receiver capacity.

13% is just a guide. I'd be surprised if the weight of your hitch is enough to induce trailer sway. A bit over on tongue weight is better than not enough.

eHoefler wrote:
The hitch itself needs to be in the calculation for the max weight carried by the tow vehicle for the capacity of the receiver, but not in the weight of the tongue of the trailer. Tongue weight is the weight the trailer places on the hitch. The weight of the hitch plus the tongue weight of the trailer is the number you use for the receiver capacity.

That is how I see it and I personally split it out into "DEAD TONGUE WT" which is that of just the tongue of the trailer as measured with something like the Sherline scale and "RECEIVER TONGUE WT" which adds the wt of the WDH system plus any cargo aft of the rear axle that was added after the WDH was setup.

Larry

Mister Big wrote:
Should the weight of the trailer hitch be included in the tongue weight calculations? I have an equalizer hitch and I just purchased a Sherline tongue scale. I am trying to dial in the 13 percent of trailer weight on the tongue.

If you are trying to assess the weight as seen by the TV axles - yes.

If you are trying to assess the weight of the trailer as seen by the ball - no.

I would remove the truck from the equation and put the jack foot on your scale to calculate the 13%.

I bought it from etrailer.com. http://www.etrailer.com/Tools/Sherline/5780.html. Free shipping also.Well built and seems accurate.

I have noticed that pass thru storage on most TT's is at the front. that is where people are likeley to store heavy stuff like tool boxes, portable gensets, etc. All that adds to hitch weight. I do not worry about it as i have a 1 ton dually with a torklift superhitch and supersprings on the rear, but i can see it being a problem for lighter tow vehicles.