Proper weigh way

Will do. Getting the trailer next week. Getting the truck the second week of June. (That gives me time to go through the trailer manuals and drydock.)

Can't wait.

As described, you need to cross the scales three times.

First time.
Fill the fuel tank and go the scales fully loaded like you are going camping. Find some scales here: http://www.publicscaleslocator.com
Pull up on the scales with the truck front wheels on the first pad, the truck rear wheels on the second pad and the trailer wheels on the third pad. There is a button to push to call inside. Sometimes there is one low and one high. Sometimes there is only one high at the level of a semi truck window. I take a broom handle just in case to push the high button. You need to be in the cab of the truck when it is is weighed.
The operator will ask, "First weigh or reweigh?" You say, "First weigh".
The operator will ask, "Unit number?" You say "555" or whatever number you want to use.
The operator will say, "Got it!" or some such. You are already weighed. If you are standing outside the truck to reach the high button, none of your weight will be distributed to the rear axle on the second scale.
You pull off the scale, go park, and go inside to pay about $11. They will give you a weight ticket with a serial number on it.

Second time.
Release all the tension from the weight distribution bars. I take them off and put them in the back of the truck. Pull back on the scale as before. This time say, "Reweigh". The operator will ask, "Ticket number?" Read off the number on your ticket. Pull off the scale and go inside with your ticket number and pay $2 and get another ticket.

Third time.
Unhitch the camper. Remove the WDH and bars from the truck and leave them at the camper. Pull up on the scales with only the truck, front wheels on the first pad and rear wheels on the second pad. This time again say, "Reweigh" and give your ticket number. Pull off the scale and go inside with your ticket number to pay another $2.

Now you have three weight tickets. Now you can do some math and determine the following:

lawrosa wrote:
Use this calculator.

You need 3 weights.

Truck
Truck trailer WD engauged
Truck trailer WD bars unhooked.

Your only goal with the WD hitch is to restore your front axle of truck to original weight of truck weight alone. Without going over or heavier on the front axle. Never go over.


Towing planner cat scale TT calculator

Thanks for this link. I used Ron G's link for a long time. I pulled out some old measurements I had made and entered them in lawrosa's link and bingo, the same results. Much easier and quicker too.

3 measurements and you are ready to go.

I may have to fill the fresh water tank just to get enough hitch weight! The scales will tell the tale.

Unless you are traveling with full tanks your weight is going to be around 5000 plus your hitch. When we heighten our 25FB on the way home from a trip our weight was 5900 lbs with about 10 gal of water and our BluOx. They only way you are going to approach 6000 lbs on your trailer is full tanks (including hot water tank). So do not be surprised if your travel wight is pretty close to 5000-5100. You are not going to have any problems getting the weight balance right with any good WDH.

lawrosa wrote:

You need 3 weights.

Truck
Truck trailer WD engaged
Truck trailer WD bars unhooked.

Weights from 3 configurations above on 3 pads (TV front axle, TV rear axle, TT axles).

mkirsch wrote:
Truck scales have 3 pads that give you individual front, rear, and trailer weights.

I did not know that. Thanks

Bobbo wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:
Some where you need to weigh the trucks rear axle separately with WDH and again without WHD.

Won't subtracting the front axle weight from the total truck weight give me the rear axle weight?

Both with and without WD?

The link above will give you all the correct results. Might take you 20 minutes to do it all at the CAT scale.

Truck scales have 3 pads that give you individual front, rear, and trailer weights.

JIMNLIN wrote:
Some where you need to weigh the trucks rear axle separately with WDH and again without WHD.

Won't subtracting the front axle weight from the total truck weight give me the rear axle weight?

Both with and without WD?