How to Use the Tiny House on Wheels Tongue Weight and Towing Capacity Calculator

A Tiny House on Wheels Tongue Weight and Towing Capacity Calculator is a tool designed to help you evaluate whether your tow vehicle and trailer setup is safe and within recommended limits before hitting the road.

What It Does:

This calculator checks:

• Whether your tongue weight is within the safe range (typically 9–15% of total trailer weight).
• If your tow vehicle can safely handle the full weight of the tiny house and trailer.

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How to Use It:

1. Enter the total trailer weight of your tiny house in pounds (include house, trailer, contents).
2. Enter the measured tongue weight (how much weight is placed on the hitch).
3. Enter your tow vehicle’s maximum towing capacity (usually found in your owner's manual).

Then click "Evaluate Setup".

You’ll receive:

• The calculated tongue weight percentage.
• A check if it’s within the safe range (9–15%).
• Confirmation that your tow vehicle can handle the trailer weight.

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Best Practices:

• Use a tongue weight scale for accurate results.
• Never exceed your tow vehicle’s capacity.
• Adjust trailer loading if the tongue weight is outside the safe range.
• Distribute weight evenly in your tiny house to avoid sway and instability.

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Tiny House Towing Calculator FAQ

Q1: What is tongue weight, and why does it matter?
A: Tongue weight is the downward force the trailer exerts on the hitch. Too little causes trailer sway; too much overloads your hitch and tow vehicle.

Q2: Why is 9–15% the safe range for tongue weight?
A: It’s the industry-recommended range to balance trailer control and hitch safety. Outside this range, stability issues can arise.

Q3: What happens if my trailer is heavier than my vehicle’s tow capacity?
A: You risk damaging the engine, brakes, and transmission. It’s unsafe and often illegal.

Q4: Can I use this calculator for RVs or boats?
A: Yes, it works for any bumper-pulled trailer, not just tiny houses.

Q5: Is this tool a substitute for professional evaluation?
A: No. This is an estimate. Always verify tongue weight and towing limits with certified scales and your vehicle's manufacturer.