CAT scales question

Yep, curious too..
Just heard of the CAT scalesCAT scales a few weeks ago

Standing by...

$10.50 . Pull up on scale. Talk into speaker. It will give you 3 weights. Go inside and pay. If you want to re weigh it's $2.00.

Varies: $8-$12 for a complete weigh..regardless of number of axles.
Usually $2 for a re-weigh.

For a truck camper..load up trip ready. Put front axle on scale pad #1 and rear wheels on scale pad #2. (there are 2 pads).

They are usually really friendly and if you go inside and play "dumb" they will guide you through the process. I go some time when there isn't a long line of commercial trucks waiting in line.

When you get to the scale you can always go in first and talk to the person behind the counter to ask any questions too. Everyone has a first time, don't feel uncomfortable in doing this. Plus, look for the concrete sections as you drive up on them. Split your front axle onto one of these sections and your rear axle on the second axle. If you are pulling a trailer, you can have that weighed separately too. Just coordinate that with the person controlling the scales (at desk or through the speaker)

It is good to weigh your truck without the camper too. That way you might compare the difference with the loaded (full of fuel, propane and water is preferred)

Be prepared to be a bit surprised what the total really comes to, compared to what you might have estimated.

But, for us here, report back what your weights are!

b


(Looks like Downtheroad is a faster typer than me! :B, but still the same message from both of us)

Interesting, thanks, and I assume if you have a trailer it'd go on #3 or move to a clear one...

Don't suppose they have a Tongue/hitch ball weight device? you could use off on the side?

I've seen those single hydraulic jack look-a-likes, but don't want to spend the some $100+ just to weigh the tongue weight..


(so many fast typers, whatever happened to the "Hunt & Peck" system of typing, heheh)

The local cat scale (near the Port of Oakland) charges based on whether it's certified or not. The certified weights are for the State scales.. if they disagree, and the trucker gets a ticket because he belived he was under-weight from the Cat scale, they pay for the ticket.

There is also 3 pads, not 2. One for the front axle, one for the rear axle, and a 3rd pad for trailer. Just make sure your front axle is on the frond pad, the rear axle on the middle pad, and the trailer (if there is one) on the rear pad.

The form they will give you looks like this:

... so I'm guessing here, but trying to get the "Trailer", 7x20' might be a problem? in trying to get a truck camper on all three at the same time?

Maybe not according to the diagramsaccording to the diagrams

Wow, what fast replies and great advice. I never even thought there would be more than one pad to drive up on. I think, weather permitting, we will do this tomorrow.

Again, thanks for the replies.

One of the nice things, is that Oregon often has their scales closed, but still open (some other states do this too). When I come across these, I often will make a quick stop or U Turn to go back and weigh. Its free! I like that too. Most truck atlases have these listed where they are.

When I have the time and no one waiting, I have actually split my trailer off and weighed the tongue weight and axles separately. As well as my motorcycle, with me on and off it. Talk about; "a bit of a surprise" with my own personal weight!

Free Places I remember;

Lakeview, OR ~ (US Highway 395)
Marcola, OR~ (State Highway 126)
Sisters, OR ~ (State Highway 126)
Springfield/Marcola, OR. ~ (State Highway 126)
Ashland, OR ~ (State Highway 99)

fpoole wrote:
... so I'm guessing here, but trying to get the "Trailer", 7x20' might be a problem? in trying to get a truck camper on all three at the same time?

Maybe not according to the diagramsaccording to the diagrams

Yes. There might be an issue at the "Truck Scales" as the pads are set for semi trucks and trailers. Steer ~ Drive ~ Trailer. As you might imagine there is a considerable distance for the Steer/Drive/Trailer pads. If you coordinate with the Operator (speaker/counter) when you pull forward they can grab the back set of axles and record it for you and have it ready when you go in and get your printed copy. My rig is 48' long so I don't have an issue with getting the split for my rig at one time. But the shorter rigs might need to do as stated before.

b