How to Measure Hitch Weight
Although somewhat tedious, calculating hitch weight is key to safely towing a trailer of any kind. Generally speaking, hitch weight is the amount of pressure that is being exerted on the point of the hitch itself -- the connection point between the vehicle and the trailer. There are a number of factors involved in precisely measuring the hitch weight of a vehicle, so be careful to follow all steps to find the correct weight.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Weigh the trailer at ground level using your scale, writing the ground weight down on a sheet of paper and keeping it in the glove compartment of the trailer for later reference.
-
2
Utilize a hydraulic jack to raise the trailer up to the height where it would be resting if it were actually attached to the vehicle. This will provide the most accurate weight reading, as the effective weight of trailer upon the hitch will be altered depending upon the angle it is at to the ground. Measure this height precisely on the tow vehicle beforehand for best results.
-
-
3
Attach your scale above the jack and underneath the trailer hitch, weighing the trailer and noting the result. This is the hitch weight of the trailer. This method will provide the most accurate reading so long as you get the scale into the exact position that
the hitch would be attaching to the ball of the tow vehicle, utilizing your measurement. -
4
Divide the weight of the vehicle at the hitch level by the weight of the vehicle at the ground (calculated during Step 1) to provide you with a proportional percentage. For example, if the vehicle weights 1,000 pounds at the ground and 900 pounds at the hitch, this will provide you with a 90 percent (0.90) proportion. To calculate future hitch weights for other trailers being attached to the same tow vehicle, simply multiply their ground weight by the proportion to discover the hitch weight. This will save you the trouble of having to jack the trailer up again in the future.
-
1
