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bigbullelk's avatar
bigbullelk
Explorer
Oct 11, 2014

are my CAT scale weights ok?

Hey all.

Recently weighed my setup at CAT scale. I think I'm ok but not sure if I am optimal. Appreciate any thoughts. Here goes:


2006 2500HD Duramax towing 2007 Forest River Surveyor 255RS

Steer Axle: 4,200
Drive Axle: 4,260
Trailer Axle: 4,800
*Gross weight: 13,260

Truck GAWR
Front: 4,670
Rear: 6,084

I interpret CAT weights as pretty darn evenly balanced so I think I'm ok there but am wondering if I should go one less link on my Blue Ox sway pro to move more weight to the back axle???

Thanks!

7 Replies

  • Thanks folks for the help. I now know how I need to weigh next time I stop at a CAT scale.

    Not hearing anyone say my front drive axle is overloaded which was my main concern. So I'm good to go until my next weigh in.

    Thanks!
  • Two main goals in setting up the WD hitch:

    1. Returning front end somewhere near to unloaded weight level.
    2. Not removing too much weight from the rear axle.

    Like everyone else said you need your unhitched weights to get a complete picture.
  • As mentioned your truck is well under all the numbers with lots of excess (reserve) capacity for a larger trailer or towing doubles.
  • CAT provides special pricing for RV weighing. When you go thru the first time you simply tell them you are going to be doing additional "re-weighs". The way the process works is that after your first weigh you go in and get your assigned ticket number. Then when you get your second and third weighs just tell the operator that you are a re-weigh for ticket number xxxxxx. Reweighs are $3.00 I believe. My usual pay for 3 weighs including tax is about $18 total. Of course you need to do all 3 weighs the same day. I usually do it this way:
    No.1 - Pull thru fully loaded, trailer attached with WD on.
    No.2 - Pull thru fully loaded, disengage/remove the WDH.
    No.3 - Drop the trailer in the truck parking lot and just weigh the fully loaded truck.
    Final note: All the passenger stay in the truck, no getting out while dad weighs. Second, do it with full gas/diesel and propane tanks.
  • sch911 wrote:
    Not enough information!

    What is your GVWR and GCWR?


    That is correct. If you really want to get into your exact weights and where you are at check your GVWR and GCWR also.

    In addition to everything else, I went across the CAT scales twice. After dropping my fiver I went back and paid my $10.00 again to just weigh my F350 fully loaded for towing (extra fuel, 2 bikes on front hitch rack, rock tamers, 2 occupants, etc.). This way I knew the exact weight of the trailer by itself fully loaded. I was then able to tell how much extra gear/equipment we had added.

    Being full time and traveling I try to take my combination across the scales every year. It keeps me light and honest!
  • Your truck has more than enough capacity for the trailer.

    What you want to know is what the real tongue weight is.

    First need the truck weights without the trailer.

    Then weights like you listed without the wd system active if you have a wd.

    Then weights with wd active.

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