horse trailer tongue weight calculator

horse trailer: the 10–15% rule

A horse trailer should carry 10–15% of the gross trailer weight as tongue weight, with about 12.5% as a practical target. Enter your loaded weight above and the calculator returns the exact range in pounds (or kilograms).

Loading a horse trailer to hit the target

Where you place the load is what actually sets tongue weight — the percentage is just the goal. To keep it in range:

• Load single horses on the driver’s side and, in a slant-load, fill from the front to keep weight ahead of the axle.
• Tack and feed stored in a front dressing room help tongue weight; heavy gear at the rear hurts it.
• Because the load is alive and moves, a properly high tongue weight and, where specified, a sway-control/weight-distribution setup are worth it.

Typical setup

Full-size SUVs and pickups; bumper-pull two- and three-horse trailers.

Verify by weighing

The number above is an estimate from the standard percentage. Your real tongue weight depends on exactly how this horse trailer is packed, so once you're loaded, measure it. Also check whether your rig calls for a weight distribution hitch, and make sure your hitch class and ball mount are right for the load.