New too towing. I want to weigh my truck/trailer. The closest CAT scale is 35 min away, there is a govt highway weigh station about 20 min away. I'm next to certain I'm within specs but I also know it's probably close. I'd really like to see what effect the WD hitch has on the axle weights. So, what happens if I weigh at the weigh station and my weights are over the max for my truck? Can/does the scale master stop me from travelling back home? Is there someone that monitors the scales at CAT scales or is that just a scale for the truckers to determine their weights before the hit the highway weigh station??

You can use the CAT scale, anyone who pays can weigh their rigs.And as far as the govt scale, they probably would not bother you.

Go to the CAT scale. You will get a printout of individual axle weights. You can adjust things if needed and re-weigh for another $1 or so. Bring in your first scale printout.

If you go, take three passes.Truck aloneTruck with trailer on balltruck with trailer with WDHIf you find the truck's front axle weight is lower in pass 3 than pass 1, then adjust the WDH to apply more pressure and weigh again.

Bring a long stick/broomhandle, or similar object with you. I personally use my 6-cell Maglight.You'll need it to press the call button on the scale. It's about 10 feet off the ground.They'll ask for a vehicle number and if it's your first weigh. Tell them it's a private vehicle, and you'll be good to go.

intheburbs wrote:Bring a long stick/broomhandle, or similar object with you. I personally use my 6-cell Maglight.You'll need it to press the call button on the scale. It's about 10 feet off the ground.They'll ask for a vehicle number and if it's your first weigh. Tell them it's a private vehicle, and you'll be good to go.x2Good advice.

CAT scales | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

blt2ski
Moderator
Sep 10, 2014
If you happen to go in to a gvmnt scale, ALL they care about is that you are under the road bed limit, which is 20K per axel, with a min wt per inch width of tire of 500 lbs. So a typical private pickup has 10" wide tires, at 500 lbs, is 5000 per tire, or 10K per axel or 20K total for the truck GVW. Ask yourself this, are you ANYWHERE near this limit? thought so!

Reality is, from an LEO standpoint, they do not care what the warranty limit on your rig is. Because it is way under the road bed limit, they will not worry about you, even if over by 150-200%! I've been weighed at 150% of manufacture gvwr, I've yet to get an overweight ticket.

Marty
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Sep 09, 2014
badercubed wrote:
Best thing I did when I went to a CAT Scale for the first time was to go in an just be honest with who is at the desk. It calmed my nerves a little bit than blindly going to the scale. I also waited until the scale was free to jump on as so I wasn't taking up time for a trucker trying to work.

Good advice, then them your a newbie and never done this before and they will be glad to help and explain everything. Also, the CAT website has a good animated video on how to properly weigh all axles, it when to pull forward, etc.
Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Sep 09, 2014
badercubed wrote:
Best thing I did when I went to a CAT Scale for the first time was to go in an just be honest with who is at the desk. It calmed my nerves a little bit than blindly going to the scale. I also waited until the scale was free to jump on as so I wasn't taking up time for a trucker trying to work.

Good advice right there ^^^^^^^^.
badercubed
Explorer
Sep 09, 2014
Best thing I did when I went to a CAT Scale for the first time was to go in an just be honest with who is at the desk. It calmed my nerves a little bit than blindly going to the scale. I also waited until the scale was free to jump on as so I wasn't taking up time for a trucker trying to work.
ependydad
Explorer
Sep 08, 2014
Hope these help:
Where to get weighed

How to weigh a travel trailer

For CAT scales, no one cares if you are under/overweight. They're just weighing you.

No idea about the gov't scale.
TerryandKim
Explorer
Sep 07, 2014
All great advice, thanks guys!!
jbres
Explorer
Sep 06, 2014
yep in Indiana I use there weigh stations when closed and spend all the time I want and never seen a soul there when closed.
And so far, it seems there always closed weekends and evenings. lol. just like a 9 to 5 job
n7bsn
Explorer
Sep 03, 2014
Do you mean a state commercial station? Stop by when they are closed, almost all leave the scale on all the time. You will have the time to check everything you want.

They might get grumpy if you stop by when open, then they are intended for commercial vehicles
ib516
Explorer II
Sep 03, 2014
intheburbs wrote:
Bring a long stick/broomhandle, or similar object with you. I personally use my 6-cell Maglight.

You'll need it to press the call button on the scale. It's about 10 feet off the ground.

They'll ask for a vehicle number and if it's your first weigh. Tell them it's a private vehicle, and you'll be good to go.

x2
Good advice.
intheburbs
Explorer
Sep 03, 2014
Bring a long stick/broomhandle, or similar object with you. I personally use my 6-cell Maglight.

You'll need it to press the call button on the scale. It's about 10 feet off the ground.

They'll ask for a vehicle number and if it's your first weigh. Tell them it's a private vehicle, and you'll be good to go.