More just a general question. I don't have any specific concerns, just wondering how to do... I have an 2013 f150 3.5 Ecoboost with Maxtow package. Got a 2015 Starcraft 18BH. Everything tows fine, no concerns at all. Just wondering how the numbers come in, tongue weight etc. So, the question; if I find a scale I can use, what would the recommend procedure be to weight everything.Doing some digging around I see a few different approaches. If time allows I would thinkWith trailer hooked up1) Weigh only truck axles with trailer off scale2) Weigh with all axles on scale3) Weigh just trailer axleDisconnect from trailer1) weigh only truck2) weigh trailerI am sure this is weight more then I need to do, just want to have it planned out if I find some where cheap/free to play with a scale.Thanks in advance!Mike

When I weighed I did 3 passes...Truck aloneTruck with trailer and W/D engagedTruck with trailer and W/D disengaged

Is that enough information to calculate tongue weight? I would have thought you would have to do some of the axles separately?badercubed wrote:When I weighed I did 3 passes...Truck aloneTruck with trailer and W/D engagedTruck with trailer and W/D disengaged

3 passes with 3 pads for the scale tells you almost everything you need to know if you have a WDH 2 passes is enough without WDH. TW and TW% can be calculated with those numbers. And you'll know where tou stand with respect to all your truck's ratings (Axle, GVWR, GCWR, receiver).TruckTruck with trailer without WDTruck with Trailer with WDThe 3 pads are truck front axle, truck rear axle, and TT axles together if more than 1.TW is calculated by subtracting truck front axle + truck rear axle weights empty from truck front axle + truck rear axle with tongue on ball (no WD).

No WD on the trailer for me so two passes it is.When you say pads, I am not sure what this refers to. You specify the 3 pads, are those just weighed separately by having the appropriate axles on the scale, or are the scales actual broke into segments and show different reads somehow?Never used a scale before so its all new.Many thanks,MikeAPT wrote:3 passes with 3 pads for the scale tells you almost everything you need to know if you have a WDH 2 passes is enough without WDH. TW and TW% can be calculated with those numbers. And you'll know where tou stand with respect to all your truck's ratings (Axle, GVWR, GCWR, receiver).TruckTruck with trailer without WDTruck with Trailer with WDThe 3 pads are truck front axle, truck rear axle, and TT axles together if more than 1.TW is calculated by subtracting truck front axle + truck rear axle weights empty from truck front axle + truck rear axle with tongue on ball (no WD).

bedpan wrote:No WD on the trailer for me so two passes it is.When you say pads, I am not sure what this refers to. You specify the 3 pads, are those just weighed separately by having the appropriate axles on the scale, or are the scales actual broke into segments and show different reads somehow?Never used a scale before so its all new.Many thanks,MikeYes, most commercial truck scales are divided into three seperate scales. This allows putting the steering axle on one, the drive axles on the 2nd, and the trailer axles on the third. You get a printout of the weights on all three scales and the total weight of all three combined.Catscale - How to weighBarney

How to weight | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

ctabailey
Explorer
Jun 29, 2015
deleted cross post.
CWSWine
Explorer
Jun 27, 2015
Here is a easy to use page to figure out weights..

Click here
bedpan
Explorer II
Jun 25, 2015
atwowheelguy wrote:
First pass across the CAT scale is $10 and each subsequent pass is $2. Two passes will cost you $12.

Good info thanks.. Will weigh up next time I pass a scale.

Mike
atwowheelguy
Explorer
Jun 24, 2015
bedpan wrote:
If I can find a free scale I might just see what I can do.

First pass across the CAT scale is $10 and each subsequent pass is $2. Two passes will cost you $12.
BarneyS
Nomad
Jun 24, 2015
The Works wrote:
Snip...
So after looking at the Catscale link for weighing 5th wheels, it appears scale 2 give you the weight on the rear tires, what does this weight mean?

You need to compare that weight with the axle loading information given on your door pillar to make sure you are within specifications for the truck. That weight includes part of the weight from the tongue of the trailer.

You can use that weight to determine if you are overloading the rear axle and may have to move some stuff out of the truck bed or re-arrange some loading of the trailer. Since you are not using weight distribution with your trailer, if you get a weight of the truck alone, you can also determine the exact tongue or pin weight of the trailer.
Barney
The_Works
Explorer
Jun 23, 2015
BarneyS wrote:
bedpan wrote:
No WD on the trailer for me so two passes it is.

When you say pads, I am not sure what this refers to. You specify the 3 pads, are those just weighed separately by having the appropriate axles on the scale, or are the scales actual broke into segments and show different reads somehow?

Never used a scale before so its all new.

Many thanks,

Mike

Yes, most commercial truck scales are divided into three seperate scales. This allows putting the steering axle on one, the drive axles on the 2nd, and the trailer axles on the third. You get a printout of the weights on all three scales and the total weight of all three combined.
Catscale - How to weigh
Barney

So after looking at the Catscale link for weighing 5th wheels, it appears scale 2 give you the weight on the rear tires, what does this weight mean?
bedpan
Explorer II
Jun 16, 2015
Hey Dick,

At first I was going to dismiss your comment as it does not apply to me. Small trailer, not much on board. As I pondered it though it made me think it actual applies to me then most large trailers. Smaller axle, less latitude for overloading. I will evaluate the trailer load to make sure things are somewhat balanced. If I can find a free scale I might just see what I can do.

Thanks..

Mike

Dick_B wrote:
Ideally you should weigh each tire separately or, at least each tire on the same axle. The reason is that the total weight on an axle may be within spec but one tire could be overloaded and the other taking a vacation.
I wonder if anyone does that?
bedpan
Explorer II
Jun 16, 2015
Great info... Thanks Barney...

BarneyS wrote:
bedpan wrote:
No WD on the trailer for me so two passes it is.

When you say pads, I am not sure what this refers to. You specify the 3 pads, are those just weighed separately by having the appropriate axles on the scale, or are the scales actual broke into segments and show different reads somehow?

Never used a scale before so its all new.

Many thanks,

Mike

Yes, most commercial truck scales are divided into three seperate scales. This allows putting the steering axle on one, the drive axles on the 2nd, and the trailer axles on the third. You get a printout of the weights on all three scales and the total weight of all three combined.
Catscale - How to weigh
Barney
Dick_B
Explorer
Jun 16, 2015
Ideally you should weigh each tire separately or, at least each tire on the same axle. The reason is that the total weight on an axle may be within spec but one tire could be overloaded and the other taking a vacation.
I wonder if anyone does that?
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Jun 16, 2015
With patients. :)

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How to weight

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