The amount of a trailer's weight that rests on the tow vehicle's hitch. For travel trailers this weight should be 10-15 percent of the total weight of the trailer. For fifth wheels this weight should be 15-20 percent of the total weight of the trailer.
Amount of the trailer's weight, which rests on the vehicle towing the trailer. Proper weight should be 10 to 15 percent with conventional trailers, 15 to 20 percent for fifth wheels.
Hitch weight or Tongue weight (TW) is the amount of weight pressing down on the vehicle's hitch from the coupler of the trailer when the trailer is fully loaded for travel. For trailers that weigh over 2,000 pounds TW should be 10 to 15 percent of the loaded trailer weight. For fifth wheel trailers hitch weight should be 15 to 20 percent of the loaded trailer weight.