Uploaded October 2021 | Updated September 2026, 17 hours ago
Safe towing requires a certain amount of downward pressure on the hitch ball, called tongue weight, to ensure that the trailer will tow straight and remain stable. Do you know what happens when you tow with improper tongue weight? There are two main categories of catastrophes: those caused by not enough tongue weight, and those caused by too much.
What you do not have enough tongue weight the following can happen, as shown in the video:
#1 – Trailer sway: ‘fishtailing’ or side-to-side movement
If you hook up your trailer with less than 10% of your GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) situated on the tongue of your trailer you will have:
-too little tongue weight
-too much of your load situated behind the axle of your trailer
-an unlevel tow set-up that “peaks” at the hitch connection
-conditions in which trailer sway will most likely occur
Why is trailer sway so dangerous? Let us explain…
#2 – Loss of steering control
The swaying side-to-side movement of a trailer can escalate very quickly, especially when you’re traveling fast. Enough momentum caused by the sway-force of your trailer can completely, and swiftly, overturn your truck in a matter of seconds.
Although this video does not demonstrate the effects of too much tongue weight, it does show you what can happen if you have too little tongue weight. This video demonstrates just how vital it is to keep your tongue weight within 10-15% of your GTW (Gross Trailer Weight).
If you want to know more about what happens with too much tongue weight, check out this blog article on our website for more information:
weigh-safe.com/towing-safety/seven-risks-you-take-by-not-measuring-your-trailers-tongue-weight
Safe towing requires a certain amount of downward pressure on the hitch ball, called tongue weight, to ensure that the trailer will tow straight and remain stable. Do you know what happens when you tow with improper tongue weight? There are two main categories of catastrophes: those caused by not enough tongue weight, and those caused by too much.
What you do not have enough tongue weight the following can happen, as shown in the video:
#1 – Trailer sway: ‘fishtailing’ or side-to-side movement
If you hook up your trailer with less than 10% of your GTW (Gross Trailer Weight) situated on the tongue of your trailer you will have:
-too little tongue weight
-too much of your load situated behind the axle of your trailer
-an unlevel tow set-up that “peaks” at the hitch connection
-conditions in which trailer sway will most likely occur
Why is trailer sway so dangerous? Let us explain…
#2 – Loss of steering control
The swaying side-to-side movement of a trailer can escalate very quickly, especially when you’re traveling fast. Enough momentum caused by the sway-force of your trailer can completely, and swiftly, overturn your truck in a matter of seconds.
Although this video does not demonstrate the effects of too much tongue weight, it does show you what can happen if you have too little tongue weight. This video demonstrates just how vital it is to keep your tongue weight within 10-15% of your GTW (Gross Trailer Weight).
If you want to know more about what happens with too much tongue weight, check out this blog article on our website for more information:
weigh-safe.com/towing-safety/seven-risks-you-take-by-not-measuring-your-trailers-tongue-weight
