Methods and systems for estimating trailer tongue load

A system of a vehicle, comprising:

• a non-transitory computer readable medium configured to store a learned mapping model that maps loads associated with a front axle of the vehicle to a load associated with a trailer tongue;
• and
• a computer system onboard the vehicle and configured to, by a processor:
• initiate steering excitation according to a pattern while the vehicle is stationary:
• learn a load associated with the front axle of the vehicle based on the steering excitation;
• translate the load associated with the front axle of the vehicle to a load associated with a tongue of a trailer;
• and
• generate a trailer tongue load value based on the load associated with the tongue of the trailer.

A vehicle, comprising:

• a hitch configured to couple to a trailer having a trailer tongue;
• and
• a computer system configured to, by a processor:
• initiate steering excitation according to a pattern while the vehicle is stationary;
• learn a load associated with a front axle of the vehicle based on the steering excitation;
• translate the load associated with the front axle of the vehicle to a load associated with a tongue of the trailer;
• and
• generate a trailer tongue load value based on the load associated with the tongue of the trailer.