Floor Scales

The problem with getting side/wheel position weights on Cat scales is that most have the pavement on either side of them sloping away from the scales for drainage.

If not perfectly level, side to side weights will not be accurate.

Actually a CAT scale can give you a pretty close corner weight, but it will cost you double the price.
First weight on two rear platforms, yeah rough to reach the microphone button :B Call it 32K lbs total 20 rear and 12 front.
Now start a new ticket with the DS off the same two platforms. Note weights.
Now do the reweigh with the PS off the platforms. Note weights.
If these two last weights are close to your first total weight on the axles I believe your close to corner weights.
Disclaimer..... Most CAT scales are fairly level for platform vs roadway. If not YMMV

We had a guy report a 900 lb difference on the front axle at the Freightliner plant in NC. Duh I would want to air up to that amount, not half of it.

Hank MI wrote:


Didn't tell anyone how to spend their money. I said when it becomes that much work for me I'd rather spend my time on other pursuits.

Why is this work? Sounds like a fun project with a safety benefit.

dons2346 wrote:


This is totally wrong. Tires on the same axle should be set to the weight of the heaviest side.

Absolutely correct. All tires on an axle are pressurized based on the heavier wheel position on that axle.

But not sure this thread is about facts as much as it is about opinions.

" At full weight your tires require 100 psi. So 1 side is 600lbs heavier. That's a difference of 3.5%. So what do you do? One set of tires(side) get's 101.75lbs and the other side get's 98.25lbs. "

This is totally wrong. Tires on the same axle should be set to the weight of the heaviest side.

sailor_lou wrote:

mikey52 wrote:
I think it is a nice thing to have around. I can see using it for your own coach and even allowing friends and others to weigh their coaches to insure they are within limits. Good for you.

I agree and I still don't get why some people have the constant desire to tell everyone how to spend their cash. Using that kind of logic it's a waste of money to even own an RV, hotels are much cheaper.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

Didn't tell anyone how to spend their money. I said when it becomes that much work for me I'd rather spend my time on other pursuits.

Pirate wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
Sounds like a waste of $340 and your time. Cat scales are cheap.

Cat scales won't tell you that your right side is 600lbs heavier than your left side, something my last 4-corner weigh-in did.

Seriously? A 4 corner or side to side one time will tell you how even the sides are as manufactured. You mean to tell me that you can't figure out that you overloaded one corner by 600 lbs, that's a lot of weight.

It's not rocket science. Let's say you have a rear axle rated for 17.000lbs. At full weight your tires require 100 psi. So 1 side is 600lbs heavier. That's a difference of 3.5%. So what do you do? One set of tires(side) get's 101.75lbs and the other side get's 98.25lbs. You really think that will make a difference? Depending on which side of the MH is facing the sun the heat from the sun can make a lot bigger difference than that.

Morning temps versus afternoon temps will also affect tire pressure a lot more than that 1.75lbs. Driving from a northern state in the winter to a southern state, same result. Speed, a big difference tire temps. I could have used a higher GAWR but that would make that 600lbs even less significant.

Do what makes you comfortable, feel good, but I really think some overthink this. Is tire pressure important, of course it is. How accurate is your gauge? If it's digital, maybe it will read to .5lbs. Other gauges, how good are your eyes?

Set your tire pressure based on the manufacturers recommendations and weight. A 5% or even !0% difference ain't gonna make that much difference. There are just too many other variables at play, outside temps, speed, etc.

Just my opinion, probably only worth what you paid for it. But, in 48 years of driving I have never had a tire blowout on a car, boat trailer, camper, TT or MH. Am I lucky? Sure, you can can do everything possible and still have a tire failure, stuff happens.

sailor_lou wrote:

mikey52 wrote:
I think it is a nice thing to have around. I can see using it for your own coach and even allowing friends and others to weigh their coaches to insure they are within limits. Good for you.

I agree and I still don't get why some people have the constant desire to tell everyone how to spend their cash. Using that kind of logic it's a waste of money to even own an RV, hotels are much cheaper.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy

I agree with both of these statements, and I thank the original poster (pirate) for sharing the information.

Fred

azdryheat wrote:
Sounds like a waste of $340 and your time. Cat scales are cheap.

Cat scales won't tell you that your right side is 600lbs heavier than your left side, something my last 4-corner weigh-in did.

mikey52 wrote:
I think it is a nice thing to have around. I can see using it for your own coach and even allowing friends and others to weigh their coaches to insure they are within limits. Good for you.

I agree and I still don't get why some people have the constant desire to tell everyone how to spend their cash. Using that kind of logic it's a waste of money to even own an RV, hotels are much cheaper.

Lou
05 Travel Supreme Envoy