Trailer Tongue Weight

[sandman]

I have a question, I have placed a scale under the crank down wheel on my trailer. The more I crank down the wheel the heavier it gets, I placed an additional 55 pounds in the rear and when I removed it the weight only decreased by @ 5 pounds.
Anyone know how I can get an accurate measurement?

[Hilldweller]

try a big fish scale and pull up.
If you're using the bathroom scale, crank the tongue until it's at the normal ride height. Remember that tongue weight is dynamic anyhow; the trailer's wheels/axle act as a fulcrum.
Aim for about 10-15% of trailer weight on the tongue.

[sandman]

Thanks for the information, I did a lot of thinking on the subject last night and figured out that the trailer had to be level or at ride height. I am going to be trying it this morning.
Thanks a million for your response.
Steve