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01-06-2019, 04:25 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Burtonsvlle
Posts: 83
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Weighing rv
This is a silly question I am sure, but here it goes. I know you can weigh your rig at a truck stop on their scales. I was wondering if you can use those random truck scales on the side of the highway or do they frown upon that? Also would It get me the weights i want (tongue weight, trailer weight, truck weight, and combined weight. I know (at least near me) the state police sometimes search vehicles there, which would be a pain. That is all I have near me though and I want to get the weights of my unit. Thanks
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01-06-2019, 04:36 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,979
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Most commercial, government operated weigh stations on public highways are "off limits" to private vehicles... That said, you probably won't get a ticket for stopping to try to weigh, but you would likely be chastised, instructed to "move along" and likely would be followed by truckers as they chat about you on their CB radios....
If you want to get a series of good weights on your rig, you'll need to do three weights at a CAT scale and/or multiple weights at a "single pad scale"...
At a 3 pad CAT scale, park away from the scale, go inside and ask for the weigh master. Talk to him/her about what you want to do BEFORE you park on the scale. Once the weigh master knows your intentions, go to your rig, drive it onto the scale with the front tow vehicle axle on pad 1, the rear tow vehicle axle on pad 2 and the trailer axles on pad 3. Use a broom handle to press the intercom button (or climb on the roof of your truck to reach it) and tell the weigh master you're ready for weight #1. Then, walk to the back of your tow vehicle, unhook the weight distribution bars (DO NOT UNHITCH THE TRAILER just take the weight off the bars) and press the intercom and ask for weight #2. Then drive off the scales to an open area, unhook the trailer and drive the tow vehicle back onto the scale with front axle on pad 1 and rear axle on pad 2. Ask for the third weight. Then drive off the scale and go inside to get your "ticket and pay (probably $14.
With the first weight you'll have the "weight distributed weight of your rig as it is towed on the road. the second weight will give you the "static load" on the hitch, the amount of weight on the rear axle and the amount of weight "lifted" from the front axle. The third weight will give you the actual weight of your tow vehicle. By doing simple math, you can determine the hitch weight, redistributed weight to both the front axle and back to the trailer axles, the weight of your truck with "travel payload" as well as the weight of your total rig.
You can find CAT scale locations at this website: https://catscale.com/cat-scale-locator/
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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01-06-2019, 04:36 PM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,741
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Those "random truck scales " are for the state police to weigh commercial vehicles. They will not weigh you nor appreciate your pulling in. Just google cat scales near me and you will find one.
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Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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01-06-2019, 05:33 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Fruitland
Posts: 3,357
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It's unknown for me to know how the scales are set up there. This is Oregon, the Oregon dot scales are not open 24/7 unless it is at a port of entry. Those are busy with trucks mostly 24/7. All others, if closed many use them, they are set up so the weights are displayed on a digital readout. Seen through your windshield. Really only problem there are the people who use them as rest stops. When open if there are NO comm trucks in line, rolling through in a rv is no big deal, many do it. Just do not park and block the scale. If in doubt phone them and ask.
__________________
2013 24RKSWE (27ft TT) Cougar 1/2 ton series SOLD 10-2021
2013 Ford F350 4x4 CC 6.7 engine, 8 ft bed, 3.55 rear end, lariat package
Retired from Oregon State Police in 2011 than worked another 9.5 years as a small town traffic cop:
As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
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01-06-2019, 05:47 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,741
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He is from Burtonsville, MD according to his info. I believe he's referring to the weigh scales on I 95 at 495. In Maryland the scales are run by the Maryland State Police and they are not going to give you a welcome reception. I'm pretty sure there's a cat scale in Jessup a few miles north of his location.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
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01-07-2019, 04:37 AM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Burtonsvlle
Posts: 83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flybouy
He is from Burtonsville, MD according to his info. I believe he's referring to the weigh scales on I 95 at 495. In Maryland the scales are run by the Maryland State Police and they are not going to give you a welcome reception. I'm pretty sure there's a cat scale in Jessup a few miles north of his location.
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Those scales and the one on I 70 are the ones I was talking about. Thanks for the info. I will look into the on ed in jessup.
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01-07-2019, 04:52 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: USA and Canada
Posts: 872
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frisbeekev
This is a silly question I am sure, but here it goes. I know you can weigh your rig at a truck stop on their scales. I was wondering if you can use those random truck scales on the side of the highway or do they frown upon that? Also would It get me the weights i want (tongue weight, trailer weight, truck weight, and combined weight. I know (at least near me) the state police sometimes search vehicles there, which would be a pain. That is all I have near me though and I want to get the weights of my unit. Thanks
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You might also try your local landfill if one is nearby. That's what I use and it's free.
__________________
2010 FZ 405
2011 F350 6.7 Dually w/Banks Power making 510 hp and 1065 ft/lbs torque
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01-07-2019, 07:04 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Fairfax
Posts: 507
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I made this to help me keep track of the weights I want and how to position the rig on the CAT scale pads.
__________________
2019 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali Diesel DRW (Crew Cab | 8 Ft bed | OEM Puck System | Curt Gooseneck Ball for OEM Puck)
(OLD) 2018 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali Diesel (Crew Cab | 6.6 Ft bed)
2019 Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3740BH-R Fifth Wheel (Onan 5500W LP Generator | MORryde SRE4000 Suspension | 3x Cross Members | Sailun S637 ST | Reese GooseBox 20k 2nd Gen)
(OLD) 2018 Keystone Hideout 28RKS Travel Trailer
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01-07-2019, 05:36 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Western NY
Posts: 586
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I just went to a local junk yard, excuse me, metals recycle depot and they let me weigh the truck and camper and then just the truck for free. Subtract b from a.
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Rob
Bereft of TT and looking.
2020 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71 6.2L
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01-13-2019, 09:21 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Akron
Posts: 457
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If you are going to make the effort to do the right thing. I suggest at least once get to a scale where you can get the side to side weights of the RV. Not all RVs are near 50/50. I have a number of posts on my blog about RV Tire safety on where and how to learn your actual weights.
__________________
Retired Tire Design Engineer (40 years). Serve on FMCA Tech Advisory Committee. Write a blog RV Tire Safety. Read THIS post on Why Tires Fail.
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01-13-2019, 09:29 AM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Yuba City
Posts: 6
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Weighting with CAT
Quote:
Originally Posted by CWtheMan
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Did my rig here in Yuba City California, which I know is a long ways from where you will be around, but worked will and cost me $11.00
It did a great job of telling me where my weight was.
I also call them with a question and their support folks where very helpful.
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01-13-2019, 09:40 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: "Murvil, TN
Posts: 2,210
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Here is a link to an excellent website that will help you tremendously....
http://fifthwheelst.com/
When you click on the link above and the page opens, look at the top of the page and select the "4 Step Weight Safety Plan". The dropdown list will show four steps. Start at step one and go through at least three of them, and probably read the fourth step to make sure that your tires are up to the load range/capacity that they need to be.
__________________
2016 F350 King Ranch Crew Cab Dually Diesel 4x4
2018 Grand Design Momentum 394M
2023 Suzuki GSX-S1000GT+
Excessive payload capacity is a wonderful thing
"If it ain't Fast....It ain't Fun"
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01-15-2019, 06:56 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: SC
Posts: 131
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Viewed video on proper trailer hook-up and was not aware plug-in circuit testers used in this video were available. After viewing the video we ordered a tester from Amazon.
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01-16-2019, 06:06 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Northeast Florida/Southeast Maine
Posts: 784
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ljp
Viewed video on proper trailer hook-up and was not aware plug-in circuit testers used in this video were available. ...
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Where on the site did you find this video? There's a lot there to search through. Thanks.
__________________
Now: 2019 Winnebago 2500FL w/e2 WDH;Sold: 2015 Bullet Premier 19FBPR (shown)
2012 Ford F-250 Lariat Super Duty Crew Cab (gas 6.2 L, 3.73 gear ratio 2WD, 172" WB)
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