Best Trailer Tongue Weight Scales
Measure the load on your hitch before you tow: compare portable hydraulic, digital and built-in-scale options without confusing tongue weight with trailer weight.
BUYER’S GUIDETongue weight is the downward force a loaded trailer applies at its coupling point—not the trailer’s total weight. The right measuring tool depends on your expected vertical load, the coupler type, measurement height and whether you want a separate tool or a replacement ball mount.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
01 Quick picks by measuring method
These are different tools, not six interchangeable scales. Choose the measurement method before choosing a model.
A straightforward battery-free measurement for a light bumper-pull trailer when expected tongue weight sits comfortably within the range.
A practical middle-range choice for many larger bumper-pull trailers; Sherline recommends choosing a gauge that places typical load near the middle of its range.
A specialist high-range option sold by Sherline, including for heavier fifth-wheel or gooseneck vertical-load measurement scenarios when the manufacturer’s setup is suitable.
A dedicated digital alternative for bumper-pull trailers, listed by towing retailers as a 4,000-lb-capacity LED scale.
Measures tongue load as the trailer couples to the compatible ball mount, avoiding a separate scale during routine hookups.
A built-in-scale ball mount with the manufacturer’s redesigned glycerin-filled gauge, for owners who want routine load feedback at the hitch.
02 Compare the options before you buy
Portable scales measure a stationary supported load; integrated hitches show load during coupling. Hitch ratings are not the same thing as scale capacity.
| Option | Type | Published range or rating | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sherline LM-1000 | Hydraulic portable scale | 0–1,000 lb gauge | Its gauge is poorly suited to heavier loads near or above its limit. |
| Sherline LM-2000 | Hydraulic portable scale | 0–2,000 lb gauge | Coarser markings than the 1,000-lb version for very light trailers. |
| Sherline LM-5000 | Hydraulic portable scale | 0–5,000 lb gauge | Less useful resolution at the low end; setup for nonconventional couplers needs specific safe support. |
| B&W Digital Trailer Tongue Weight Scale WDHX4520 | Digital standalone scale | Up to 4,000 lb advertised | Manufacturer setup limits and coupler-height compatibility matter; not intended for fifth-wheel or gooseneck pin weight. |
| Weigh Safe Aero Hitch | Integrated hitch scale | 1,500 lb max tongue rating | Requires matching receiver, ball size, drop and all tow ratings; it is not a universal measuring tool. |
| Weigh Safe Drop Hitch 2.0 | Integrated adjustable ball mount | Model-dependent capacities | Costlier and bulkier than a separate portable scale; exact variant capacities and fit must be checked. |
03 Six measured choices with honest tradeoffs
These are editorial use-case recommendations based on published product information, not hands-on test results or laboratory accuracy rankings.
Sherline LM-1000
A straightforward battery-free measurement for a light bumper-pull trailer when expected tongue weight sits comfortably within the range.
What stands out: Simple portable measurement without changing the tow vehicle hitch.
Who it suits: Owners of light utility, boat and small camping trailers.
Ownership tradeoff: Use it on a firm, level support under the coupler or jack per Sherline instructions; protect the piston from shock loads.
Check PriceSherline LM-2000
A practical middle-range choice for many larger bumper-pull trailers; Sherline recommends choosing a gauge that places typical load near the middle of its range.
What stands out: Broad measurement range with no batteries or special ball mount.
Who it suits: Owners who move between tow vehicles or want a dedicated scale.
Ownership tradeoff: Match the expected tongue load to the gauge range, keep the device level, and avoid side loading.
Check PriceSherline LM-5000
A specialist high-range option sold by Sherline, including for heavier fifth-wheel or gooseneck vertical-load measurement scenarios when the manufacturer’s setup is suitable.
What stands out: High gauge range for loads that exceed ordinary bumper-pull scales.
Who it suits: Operators with a verified need for a high-range vertical-load gauge.
Ownership tradeoff: Do not improvise supports under a loaded fifth-wheel or gooseneck; use a commercial scale or qualified weighing service if safe measurement geometry is uncertain.
Check PriceB&W Digital Trailer Tongue Weight Scale WDHX4520
A dedicated digital alternative for bumper-pull trailers, listed by towing retailers as a 4,000-lb-capacity LED scale.
What stands out: Digital readout and higher advertised capacity in a standalone format.
Who it suits: Bumper-pull owners who prefer a digital display.
Ownership tradeoff: Verify the exact B&W instructions, battery requirements, support surface and coupler-height range before purchase.
Check PriceWeigh Safe Aero Hitch
Measures tongue load as the trailer couples to the compatible ball mount, avoiding a separate scale during routine hookups.
What stands out: Built-in readout and adjustable drop in one towing component.
Who it suits: Frequent bumper-pull towers replacing a compatible 2-inch-receiver ball mount.
Ownership tradeoff: Manufacturer lists 2-inch receiver, 4/6/8/10-inch drops, 12,500-lb max GTW and 1,500-lb max tongue rating; actual vehicle limits may be lower.
Check PriceWeigh Safe Drop Hitch 2.0
A built-in-scale ball mount with the manufacturer’s redesigned glycerin-filled gauge, for owners who want routine load feedback at the hitch.
What stands out: Integrated measurement and multiple available shank/drop configurations.
Who it suits: Frequent towers who also need an adjustable hitch.
Ownership tradeoff: Select the exact receiver size, drop, ball and rated capacity; never assume a model family shares one rating.
Check Price04 Choose the right range not the biggest number
A scale that tops out below your expected tongue load can be damaged or give you no useful measurement. But choosing a very high-range gauge for a small trailer also makes small changes harder to read.
| Expected loaded tongue weight | Starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Comfortably below 1,000 lb | Sherline LM-1000 | Finer printed divisions for lighter loads; avoid the upper limit. |
| Approaching or above 1,000 lb, but below 2,000 lb | Sherline LM-2000 | More headroom; choose a range that places the normal reading near the gauge middle. |
| High vertical loads beyond 2,000 lb | Specialist scale or certified weighing service | Verify safe support geometry and manufacturer instructions; a high-range gauge alone does not make a setup safe. |
| Routine bumper-pull hookup with a compatible receiver | Weigh Safe integrated hitch | Continuous convenient readout, but every towing component rating still applies. |
Example, not a target: If a loaded conventional trailer weighs 6,000 lb, a 10–15% tongue-weight guideline corresponds to roughly 600–900 lb. Actual allowable loading comes from the trailer, tow vehicle, hitch and manufacturer instructions; the guideline is not universal, particularly for fifth-wheel and gooseneck setups.
05 Measure safely and interpret the result
- Load for the trip. Include water, gear, cargo and the actual distribution you intend to tow.
- Confirm ratings first. Check trailer GVWR, vehicle payload, receiver and ball-mount tongue limits; the lowest applicable limit controls.
- Use the correct geometry. Follow the scale manual for coupler height, level ground, firm supports and placement. Do not work under an unsupported trailer.
- Read without shock loading. Sherline warns against side loads, over-range readings and suddenly dropping weight onto its hydraulic gauge.
- Recheck after changing cargo. If loading changes, remeasure. A tongue scale does not replace a public scale measurement of axle and gross weights.
Fifth-wheel and gooseneck pin loads need their own verified weighing method. Do not assume a bumper-pull coupler scale works with a different connection.
06Frequently asked questions
Is tongue weight the same as trailer weight?
No. Tongue weight is the vertical load applied at the hitch. Trailer gross weight includes the full loaded trailer and requires a different measurement.
Is 10–15% always the correct tongue weight?
It is a common starting guideline for many conventional bumper-pull trailers, not a universal specification. Follow the actual trailer and tow-vehicle guidance.
Can a tongue scale replace a truck scale?
No. A tongue scale cannot establish total trailer weight, individual axle loads or combined vehicle weight.
Do I need a digital scale?
Not necessarily. A hydraulic scale needs no battery and can be sufficient if its range and reading resolution match your trailer.
Can I use one of these for a fifth-wheel trailer?
Do not assume so. A standard bumper-pull digital coupler scale is not designed for fifth-wheel pin loading. Use an explicitly suitable procedure or a commercial weighing service.
07 Our buying verdict choose the measurement method first
For a separate reusable tool, the Sherline LM-2000 is a sensible place to start when its gauge range matches the expected load; the LM-1000 offers finer graduations for lighter setups. Consider the B&W digital scale for a dedicated digital readout, or a Weigh Safe hitch only if you also need a compatible replacement ball mount. Always confirm the exact setup and capacity before ordering.
Product documentation
Manufacturer information: Sherline hydraulic scale specifications; Sherline instructions; Weigh Safe Aero Hitch; Weigh Safe 2.0. Retail listing for B&W WDHX4520: Reese Hitches scale listings. Read current instructions for your exact model.