Can anyone tell me what the procedure is to get the coach and tow vehicle weighted at a truck stop? We bought a 2009 Monaco Dynasty Regal IV in July, and I would like to have some idea of the weight when it is loaded.Thank you.Bill

Here's what I did several years ago, but I think it still applies at most truck stops.Drive your rig onto the scales. You will probably find 3 scale platforms. Get your front axle on the forward platform, your rear coach wheels on the middle platform, and the toad (if attached) on the rear platform. Find the intercom on the pole at driver side of scale (positioned so driver can reach it from the cab). Push the button and when answered tell them you are a private motorhome to be weighed. When they tell you to come in and pay drive off, park, and pay. If the scale platforms are level with the surrounding pavement and you want individual wheel position weights, tell them you want a reweigh when you pay for the first weight. Drive back on the scale with only one side of the unit on the scales and repeat the process. The reweigh is a minimum charge. With these results you can calculate your individual wheel position weights. This only works if the scale platform is level with the surrounding pavement, and there is no barrier to prevent positioning the coach appropriate for weighing only one side.Fred

As above, or go inside if you can't reach the call switch to the check out counter & talk with the attendant first, they will guide you through the process.

Some large truck stations offering weighing (Black Cat) are specifically constructed to only weigh by axles, not individual wheels.This kind of limited weight information is better than nothing, as starting point. The goal for any new RV owner is to weigh at each wheel to make sure your load is balanced and within manuf limits.There are many resources available to do this but usually not convenient.I've had mine done at FMCA rallys, some have talked a state weighing station into getting it done by wheel. Some larger truck repair centers will do it for a fee, etc.

michbill, I haven't been through that many truck stops to give you good advice but, of the ones I have, many have been different in the outside layout. The one I actually used was a truck re-fueling station at Seven Feathers RV Resort and Casino in Oregon. I was fueling the coach and noticed the scales alongside the store. There was no kiosk or, pole or any form of communications on the outside. So, while the wife continued to fuel the coach, I walked inside and asked IF, it was possible for my coach and toad to get weighed and, what would be the cost.Well, the nice lady behind the counter said it was perfectly ok for us to use the scales and, it would be $7.50 for the certificate. I said great. So, after we finished fueling, we pulled directly onto the scales. The only sign we saw was an LED red and green light at the end. It stayed green until I had the entire coach and toad, correctly positioned on the scale. Then it went red. Then it went green again. Obviously it meant I was done and time to move off the scale. I then parked the rig and went inside to collect the certificate and, pay the lady. That certificate told me the weight of the front, the rear, combined and, the toads individual weight too. On one truck scale at a rest stop several years ago, I pulled off the freeway and onto it, a great big ELECTRONIC SIGN said, "move forward" then STOP. Then, that same sign simply spit out the numbers, front, back, combined. So, there's different ways in different circumstances. Now, if you want to get it weighed at home. There's a couple of ways to do it. One, call or find a local refuse disposal area in your neighborhood and talk to them about getting your coach weighed. Another is, find a moving and Van outfit that may be near you. Most of them have certified scales too. I've used both, several times. The one refuse and recycle establishment at our area in So CAL was $13.50 for the certificate and, the "Mayflower" brand moving outfit charged $6.50 for theirs. So, hope this helps some.Scott

fcooper wrote:Here's what I did several years ago, but I think it still applies at most truck stops.Drive your rig onto the scales. You will probably find 3 scale platforms. Get your front axle on the forward platform, your rear coach wheels on the middle platform, and the toad (if attached) on the rear platform. Find the intercom on the pole at driver side of scale (positioned so driver can reach it from the cab). Push the button and when answered tell them you are a private motorhome to be weighed. When they tell you to come in and pay drive off, park, and pay. If the scale platforms are level with the surrounding pavement and you want individual wheel position weights, tell them you want a reweigh when you pay for the first weight. Drive back on the scale with only one side of the unit on the scales and repeat the process. The reweigh is a minimum charge. With these results you can calculate your individual wheel position weights. This only works if the scale platform is level with the surrounding pavement, and there is no barrier to prevent positioning the coach appropriate for weighing only one side.FredI always have a broom stick or similar ready, in order to reach the intercom button on the pole. Have never been able to reach it by arm from my drivers window.

Weight at a truck stop | Good Sam Community

mowermech
Explorer
Dec 13, 2014
If you have a CB radio, just call the fuel desk on the specified channel(there will be a sign at the scale entrance), and they will guide you.
michbill
Explorer
Dec 13, 2014
THANK YOU ALL!
As always, you all have very helpful and diverse solutions to an issue.

I will have to check out the location on Mary St. I'm not sure if they are still there.

The co-op, waste hauling and moving companies are good options.
I have never heard of using the states "chicken coop" great.

thanks
Bill
stripit
Explorer
Dec 11, 2014
michbill wrote:
Can anyone tell me what the procedure is to get the coach and tow vehicle weighted at a truck stop? We bought a 2009 Monaco Dynasty Regal IV in July, and I would like to have some idea of the weight when it is loaded.
Thank you.
Bill

I went to the asphalt company on Mary St. ( 67 Mary Street
Mount Clemens, MI 586-465-0880) a bunch of years ago to get my 5th wheel weighed. They were helpful and gave me a print out sheet that let me know my numbers. Might be worth a phone call to see if they will still help you out.
AndyW
Explorer
Dec 11, 2014
bsinmich wrote:
Go up to New Haven area and find a local farm co-Op. They usually have a scale and will usually cost a little for their coffee fund. I can't recall the one in New Haven but next is Richmond. I used to live @ 15 & Garfield for 35 years.

I think most co-ops are the same. I asked the one up the road from where I live how much to use the scale, they looked at me funny, and then said to just go ahead and use it if I wanted. No charge, just don't get in the way of their own trucks.

The scale has a digital readout sign, so any time I've wanted to weight something I just go over after they close.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Dec 11, 2014
Truck scales come in 2x2 types

ONE split: Bridge or flat (Flat is needed for proper weighting of RV's but if all you want is total weight, Either will work,, There is another advantage to flat though.

Other split, Segmented/not segmented.. If all you want is total weight does not matter.

Pull onto the scale, if it is segmented make sure each axle is on one segment only and only one axle per segment. NOTE Bridge scales you need to be very careful pulling on to them as the rails are just wide enough to pass your wheels and the front simulators can get tore up some if you hit the rail.

Flat scales do not have that problem.

Contact weight desk (usually a phone provided) and they print a card (or follow instructions on sign)

If segmented then total weight is sum of segments.

For proper weighing of an RV, you need a flat segmented scale.

Do as above (Without worry about the rails and your simulators)
Then pull on again so that only one side of the RV is on the scale and the other is on the ground

Get and pay for both cards.

Total weight is thus the weight of the RV off the first card, add segments as above

4-corner weight The side weighed in the 2nd pass is easy it is no the ticket
Subtract the side weight from axle weight for the other side.

Now you can go to the tire makers web site, Download the inflation chart, and figure the proper PSI for each wheel, Most folks like to add 5 PSI to the chart. NOTE that each wheel may be different than the others.
Peddler95
Explorer
Dec 10, 2014
This company pretty much owns the truck stop scale business:

http://catscale.com/how-to-weigh

Good web site that should help you.
bsinmich
Explorer
Dec 10, 2014
Go up to New Haven area and find a local farm co-Op. They usually have a scale and will usually cost a little for their coffee fund. I can't recall the one in New Haven but next is Richmond. I used to live @ 15 & Garfield for 35 years.
Dennis_M_M
Explorer
Dec 10, 2014
A number of scales I have been on In the last few years were using CB radio instead of an intercom. Otherwise same procedure. As noted you can always go in and ask about the procedure at the fuel desk.
J-Rooster
Explorer
Dec 10, 2014
In Washington State (I don't know about your State, you will have to check) you can drive onto the platform scales when the scale house is closed (this excludes Port of Entry scales which are open 24/7) and check your weight for free. You check your weight one axle at a time then write down all the readings and add them up. I haven't weighed in over a decade when my coach was new.
Twomed
Explorer
Dec 10, 2014
mtrumpet wrote:
fcooper wrote:
Here's what I did several years ago, but I think it still applies at most truck stops.

Drive your rig onto the scales. You will probably find 3 scale platforms. Get your front axle on the forward platform, your rear coach wheels on the middle platform, and the toad (if attached) on the rear platform. Find the intercom on the pole at driver side of scale (positioned so driver can reach it from the cab). Push the button and when answered tell them you are a private motorhome to be weighed. When they tell you to come in and pay drive off, park, and pay. If the scale platforms are level with the surrounding pavement and you want individual wheel position weights, tell them you want a reweigh when you pay for the first weight. Drive back on the scale with only one side of the unit on the scales and repeat the process. The reweigh is a minimum charge. With these results you can calculate your individual wheel position weights.

This only works if the scale platform is level with the surrounding pavement, and there is no barrier to prevent positioning the coach appropriate for weighing only one side.

Fred

I always have a broom stick or similar ready, in order to reach the intercom button on the pole. Have never been able to reach it by arm from my drivers window.

You can always get out and push the button by hand. They almost never line up with a coach window.

They usually ask "first weigh, re-weigh" real fast sounds like Chinese take-out. :) First weigh. Then "Company?" say private, "unit number" use your favorite one. They will say ok. Park, head in and ask for a scale ticket Unit number whatever you told them. $10 at CAT scales at FJ/Pilot.