How to weigh truck and trailer

[Jeff615]

I would like to get all the proper weights for my truck and trailer, ie, axle weights on truck for weight distribution, tongue weight and overall weight. There is not a CAT scale near me, only a public scale with a single platform.

What would be the proper procedure to get all of these weights.

[bsmith0404]

You can’t really get everything with a single platform scale. Need the ability to get weight per axle to make sure you have your WDH set up properly.

[rhagfo]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

You can’t really get everything with a single platform scale. Need the ability to get weight per axle to make sure you have your WDH set up properly.

You absolutely can get all necessary information on a single platform scale! Drive TV only first. Stop with just front axle on scale and note weight. Then move until just rear axle is on scale and note that weight, you now have both axles and total truck weight. You could also stop with both axles and get total weight to compare with the sum of the two axles, should be the same or very close.
Then attach trailer and repeat the TV process, then stop with only the trailer axles on the scales.
We do this at closed state scale houses all the time, the only issue is if the scale plate is too long.

[bsmith0404]

I may be over thinking this, but here’s the process that I see you would have to go through if you want to use the single plate scale to set up you WDH as you mentioned in your initial post. If you just want weights, then it’s a lot less involved.

Weigh front axle of TV, weigh rear axle of TV and add the two together for total TV weight.

Weigh trailer alone (just so you know what your trailer weighs. Not really necessary for setting up the WDH, but good info to know).

Hook up trailer without WDH and repeat.

Connect WDH, repeat

The front axle of the TV should have a zero sum or close to it. (both empty and weight with WDH should be the same). If not, adjust WDH and repeat.

The total weight on the truck with trailer connected with WDH connected should also be less than total weight without WDH connected since some tongue weight will be transferred back to the trailer.

So changing my initial response, it can be done, but it’s a lot of weights and calculations to get it right.

[Jeff615]

Thanks guys, I'll give it a try

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Jeff615

I would like to get all the proper weights for my truck and trailer, ie, axle weights on truck for weight distribution, tongue weight and overall weight. There is not a CAT scale near me, only a public scale with a single platform.

What would be the proper procedure to get all of these weights.

What do you consider near? There are 3 within 40 miles, one is listed as 32 miles away. You don't go by one of these when camping?

[Jeff615]

Originally Posted by flybouy

What do you consider near? There are 3 within 40 miles, one is listed as 32 miles away. You don't go by one of these when camping?

When I do camp up that way, I don't go the route that would take me by the one in Yuba City. I could divert that way the next time I go up there though. Would be worth it to get my weights.

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Jeff615

When I do camp up that way, I don't go the route that would take me by the one in Yuba City. I could divert that way the next time I go up there though. Would be worth it to get my weights.

Those were the Cat Scales that were listed. There's may be other truck stops closer that aren't Cat Scale brand.

[Jeff615]

Originally Posted by flybouy

Those were the Cat Scales that were listed. There's may be other truck stops closer that aren't Cat Scale brand.

There is a single platform scale about a mile and a half from me. I was trying to figure out how to get the weights on that type

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by Jeff615

There is a single platform scale about a mile and a half from me. I was trying to figure out how to get the weights on that type

You can, just takes more steps.

[Jeff615]

Originally Posted by flybouy

You can, just takes more steps.

Yea thats what I'm working on