HITCH & AXLE — PRE-TRIP WEIGHT SHEET

hitchandaxle.com · Generated 9/24/2026

Verdict: SAFE & BALANCED

Payload at 67%, trailer at 52% of tow rating, tongue weight in the sweet spot. This rig is set up to tow level and stable.

Calculated weights & safety margins

Trailer loaded weight (GVW)	4,400 lb
Tongue weight	528 lb (12.0%)
Payload consumed	1,103 / 1,650 lb (67%)
Payload remaining	547 lb
Tow rating used	4,400 / 8,500 lb (52%)
Tow rating margin	4,100 lb
Receiver tongue rating used	528 / 850 lb (62%)

Weight distribution hitch targets

Target shift to steer axle	+132 lb
Target shift back to trailer axles	+106 lb
Est. net load on truck rear axle from tongue	290 lb
Front steer axle load vs. unhitched	99%

Your inputs

Door sticker payload	1,650 lb
Max tow rating	8,500 lb
Receiver max tongue	850 lb
Cab passengers	350 lb
Bed / cargo	150 lb
Trailer dry weight	3,800 lb
Trailer gear	600 lb
Hitch hardware	75 lb

Recommendations

547 lbs of payload margin remaining. Good room for a full tank of fuel and last-minute gear.
Tongue weight sits at 12.0% — inside the 10–15% stability window.
WDH setup target: measure front fender height unhitched, then tension the spring bars until the front returns to within ~½ inch of that height (FALR 50–100% per your truck's manual).

CAT Scale tickets (fill in)

Steer axle: ________ lb Drive axle: ________ lb Trailer axles: ________ lb

Hitch & Axle provides simulated estimates for educational and planning purposes only. Calculations assume dry tanks and standard weight distribution principles. This tool does not replace physical weigh-ins on certified scales (e.g., CAT Scale) or official manufacturer specifications. Always verify with your vehicle's owner manual, tire/loading placards, and certified scale tickets before travel.

Hitch & Axle

Visual Towing & Axle Safety Simulator | hitchandaxle.com

Live · dry tanks

Master verdict

SAFE & BALANCED

528Tongue wt

547Payload left

4,400Trailer GVW

Payload at 67%, trailer at 52% of tow rating, tongue weight in the sweet spot. This rig is set up to tow level and stable.

Rig Simulator

WDH active — leveling

67%1,103 / 1,650

Payload used

52%4,400 / 8,500

Tow rating used

12.0%sweet spot 10–15%

Tongue weight %

62%528 / 850

Receiver rating

Fix My Rig

547 lbs of payload margin remaining. Good room for a full tank of fuel and last-minute gear.
Tongue weight sits at 12.0% — inside the 10–15% stability window.
WDH setup target: measure front fender height unhitched, then tension the spring bars until the front returns to within ~½ inch of that height (FALR 50–100% per your truck's manual).

Tow Vehicle

From the door-jamb sticker

Door sticker payload capacity

lbs

Max tow rating / GTWR

lbs

Receiver max tongue rating

lbs

Cab passengers weight

lbs

Truck bed / cargo trunk weight

lbs

Travel Trailer

Bumper-pull, dry tanks

Trailer dry weight / UVW

lbs

Onboard cargo / gear weight

lbs

Traveling with full tanks? Add fluid weight (~8.34 lbs/gal) to Onboard Cargo/Gear.

Tongue weight12.0%

8% · tail-heavy10–15% stable18% · nose-heavy

Hitch Hardware

Ball mount, shank, WDH head

Hitch hardware weight

lbs

Using Weight Distribution Hitch (WDH)

Spring bars shift ~132 lbs to the steer axle and ~106 lbs back to the trailer axles.