Using the CAT scales

As a retired trucker I can only think of 1 reason I wouldn't use them and that's because of where the speaker is. Like stated before, it's mounted window level for an 18 wheeler so it's a little high. But they are very accurate and stand behind there weights. And they are the same price no matter where you go cross country, best I can remember it was $9.50 plus $1 re-weigh.
On a side note, you have just as much right to use them as anyone. Please just remember to clear the scale after you weigh, before you go in to get your ticket.

In oregon when state weigh stations are "closed" the scales and overhead readout is always left on. very easy and they encourage scale use. I just drive over to one of the scales near our house and take my time weighing.

Usually I pull into the first "closed" station on a trip as a final check on my WD setup. I know my unloaded FA weight, and do a quick check to see if I'm near the unloaded weight.

The times I went to the Cat scales at the truck stop there were no trucks being weighed.The down side was $10 and $1 rewiegh good for only 24 hrs.Up side was I got a legal certified certificate guarenteed to be accurate.

Thankfully I live in farm country and every little town has a scale at the grain terminal. I just wait for a day where there not busy, or, on my local one you can see the scale numbers when you peer through the window at the office. But, now that I think about it that would not include my body weight.

SprinklerMan wrote:
I was curious to see what my gross combination weight was , I went to the county landfill, pulled on the scale and they told me they dont take campers unless they are cut up . I told her OK I will take it home and cut it up . My weight was displayed on the screen right in front of me . no charge

:).. Classic

I was curious to see what my gross combination weight was , I went to the county landfill, pulled on the scale and they told me they dont take campers unless they are cut up . I told her OK I will take it home and cut it up . My weight was displayed on the screen right in front of me . no charge

UPDATE..

Well, I finally did it. We stopped for gas heading out for our Thanksgiving excursion and the scale was just "calling" me. The TT was packed up for 6 days she was good and heavy and we were making good time. So, I went to the desk while filling up and told them what I wanted to do, this turned out to be very helpful. They waitied for me to arrive on the scale and weighed us right away (without trying to reach the button and answering questions). I had no desire to unhook and do all of that, the kids were anxious to get on our way. I really just needed to quench my curiosity and with a little bit of Math, I got my numbers(as accurate as I needed them to be)

Thanks all for the bit of encouragement!

gijoecam wrote:

LVJJJ wrote:
You don't need to drop the TT to get separate weights on the TV and TT.

With two trailer-connected weights, one with and one without the hitch engaged, but no vehicle-only weight, how do you determine the tongue weight of the trailer? How do you know what the unladen weight of the front axle is and, therefore, whether or not the WDH is transferring enough weight back to the front axle? (just asking, not trying to argue...)

You would have to pull onto the scale so only the TT's jack is on the scale, then pull TV forward off the scale. It doesn't take long if you prepare the rig before hand. Like I said, take off the WD bars, unplug the electric & break-away and safety chains so all you have to do is raise and lower the jack. If you inform the weigh person first, then the truckers will just have to wait.

LVJJJ wrote:
You don't need to drop the TT to get separate weights on the TV and TT. Before I drive onto the scale, I take the WD bars off. Then pull the TV onto the scale so that the TT's front jack is off of the scale. Jack the TT up until it just clears the ball, then TV is all alone. Drop the TT back onto the ball, pull forward until the TV is off of the scale, but so that the TT's jack is still on the scale. Do the same thing lifting the TT off of the ball, then you get TT weight only. I've done this for years with great success. Other places to find weigh stations are recycling centers as they weight trucks before and after they dump. Some are free.

I would not recommend this procedure on a CAT scale. You can use a CAT scale as any trucker but if you tie up the scale disconnecting your trailer you may find a trucker helping you off the scale. Weigh then go to a safe out of the way location and drop the trailer. Then go back for the second weigh for the TV.

LVJJJ wrote:
You don't need to drop the TT to get separate weights on the TV and TT.

With two trailer-connected weights, one with and one without the hitch engaged, but no vehicle-only weight, how do you determine the tongue weight of the trailer? How do you know what the unladen weight of the front axle is and, therefore, whether or not the WDH is transferring enough weight back to the front axle? (just asking, not trying to argue...)