What is meant by tongue weight when towing a trailer?

Tongue weight refers to the amount of weight that is pressing down on the towing hitch from the trailer. This is crucial for safe towing, as it affects the stability and handling of both the towing vehicle and the trailer. Proper tongue weight ensures that the trailer is secure and behaves predictably on the road, helping to prevent swaying and loss of control. The ideal tongue weight is typically about 10-15% of the total weight of the trailer. This balance is essential for maintaining safe driving conditions and achieving optimal performance while towing.

The other options focus on different aspects of towing: the weight of the trailer itself, the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer, and the distance between the trailer axle and the hitch do not accurately define the concept of tongue weight. Understanding tongue weight is an important component of safe trailer towing practices.