Forum Discussion

teejaywhy's avatar
teejaywhy
Explorer
May 24, 2020

A trip to the CAT Scale

A visit to the scale this morning to see how my setup checks out.

Comments welcome.

Truck: 2007 GMC Sierra Classic 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax 4WD
Full tank of gas and one passenger, ARE truck cap.

Trailer: 2019 Nash 23D
Filled with camp gear, batteries, full propane, full fresh water tank.


(all weights in pounds)

Truck sticker:
GVWR: 9200
GAWR FR: 4670
GAWR RR: 6084

Trailer sticker:
GVWR: 7000

Truck only weigh:
Steer Axle: 4280
Drive Axle: 3160
Trailer Axle: 0
Gross Weight: 7440

Truck and trailer - WDH not engaged
Steer Axle: 3940
Drive Axle: 4340
Trailer Axle: 5680
Gross Weight: 13960

Truck and trailer - WDH engaged
Steer Axle: 4200
Drive Axle: 3940
Trailer Axle: 5840
Gross Weight: 13980

Everything seems kosher but please help me evaluate this data?

How to calculate trailer weight?
Gross wt 13960 - truck wt 7440 = 6520 (?)

How to calculate tongue weight?
Using weigh with WDH disconnected?
3940 + 4340 = 8280 - 7440 (truck only) = 840?

If I'm understanding correctly:
- Truck within spec
- Trailer within spec
- Tongue weight approx 13%
- WDH seems to be working

Anything I'm missing?

THANKS!!!

Tom
  • Rover_Bill's avatar
    Rover_Bill
    Explorer II
    May 25, 2020
    IMHO your WDH could use a little tightening.

    Truck only weigh:
    Steer Axle: 4280
    Drive Axle: 3160

    Truck and trailer - WDH engaged
    Steer Axle: 4200
    Drive Axle: 3940

    The weight on your Steer Axle with WDH engaged should be greater than the truck only weight. Your numbers show the drive axle lost 80# while the drive axle gained 780#.
  • camp-n-family's avatar
    camp-n-family
    Explorer
    May 25, 2020
    Rover_Bill wrote:


    The weight on your Steer Axle with WDH engaged should be greater than the truck only weight. Your numbers show the drive axle lost 80# while the drive axle gained 780#.


    No it shouldn’t. The idea is to restore weight removed from the front axle. It is usually very difficult to restore all of the weight and some vehicle manufacturers even say to only restore 50%. It should never exceed the unloaded weight.

    Numbers here are about as good as they can be.
  • lawrosa's avatar
    lawrosa
    Explorer
    May 25, 2020
    The weight on your Steer Axle with WDH engaged should be greater than the truck only weight.


    Bad advice.. It should never go over original weight of truck empty..

    80lbs within is fine.. it should tow well.

    You could pull one more link on the chain or tilt the head back some.

    but then back to the scales to see.

    I would just leave it.. but thats me..
  • Mike134's avatar
    Mike134
    Explorer
    May 25, 2020
    camp-n-family wrote:
    Rover_Bill wrote:


    The weight on your Steer Axle with WDH engaged should be greater than the truck only weight. Your numbers show the drive axle lost 80# while the drive axle gained 780#.


    No it shouldn’t. The idea is to restore weight removed from the front axle. It is usually very difficult to restore all of the weight and some vehicle manufacturers even say to only restore 50%. It should never exceed the unloaded weight.

    Numbers here are about as good as they can be.


    X2
  • Cummins12V98's avatar
    Cummins12V98
    Explorer III
    May 25, 2020
    You do want part of your tongue weight to be transferred to the front axle!
  • blt2ski's avatar
    blt2ski
    Moderator
    May 25, 2020
    If it goes good, head out!
    If not, adjust some more.
    I found when I put more wieght on the front than I started with, truck steering was not as good as slightly less. My goal was always out as close to what I lost with trailer attached, back to FA. If I lost 100lbs no wd, I tried to out 60-80 back.

    Marty
  • MitchF150's avatar
    MitchF150
    Explorer III
    May 25, 2020
    As said, those are great WD numbers in my opinion.. I'd go with it and if it tows fine, go with it.. Anytime you can get weight back on the front end after setting the WD hitch, is going to make for a better tow in general.

    Good luck! Mitch

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