Connecticut Safe Boating Practice Test

What is meant by tongue weight in relation to a trailer?

1. The weight of the vessel alone

2. The pressure of the trailer on the towing hitch

3. The weight of the entire trailer

4. The maximum load capacity of the trailer

The correct answer is: The pressure of the trailer on the towing hitch

Tongue weight refers to the downward force that the trailer exerts on the hitch of the towing vehicle. This is a critical measurement because it affects the stability and handling of both the trailer and the towing vehicle when in motion. Proper tongue weight is essential for safe towing; too little tongue weight can lead to trailer sway, while too much can overload the vehicle's rear axle and impact braking and steering. Understanding tongue weight is important for ensuring that the load is balanced, aiding in the overall towing safety. Typically, it is recommended that the tongue weight should be about 10-15% of the total trailer weight for optimum towing performance, contributing to safer towing conditions on various types of roadways. The other options relate to different aspects of a trailer and its load but do not specifically define what tongue weight is. For example, the weight of the vessel alone does not encompass the trailer dynamics, while the total weight of the trailer includes the vessel and any gear. Maximum load capacity refers to the total weight the trailer can handle, which includes stipulations that go beyond just the aspect of tongue weight.