Tongue weight (TW) refers to which type of force?

Tongue weight refers specifically to the downward force exerted at the hitch point of a trailer by the load it carries. It is the weight that the trailer exerts on the hitch of the towing vehicle. Proper tongue weight is crucial for safe towing because it helps maintain vehicle stability and control. Too little tongue weight can lead to swaying and instability, whereas too much can cause the rear of the towing vehicle to sag, affecting steering and braking.

In this context, the options that describe upward, sideways, or horizontal forces do not relate to the concept of tongue weight, as they do not accurately capture the nature of how the weight is distributed at the hitch during the towing process. Understanding this downward aspect of tongue weight is vital for ensuring safe and efficient towing operations.