Homemade Tire Scale

[n0arp]

I'm not really sure what forum this best fits in, so posting it here.

I assembled a 20K tire scale for around $300, which I consider a great tool to have if trying to tune and balance your rig. I use it for my truck, Jeep, truck camper, and fifth wheel, but it could be used for just about anything. And loan it out to friends.

It's built using a "livestock scale kit" with 4x5000lb load cells. The kit vendor is shown on the photos, and cost (at my time of purchase) $229 with free shipping. I used a cheap 1/2-13 tap off Amazon and the included bolts to mount it to a piece of 14x16x3/4" 6061 aluminum plate I purchased from an online metal distributor for around $80.

I calibrated it with 100lbs of dumbells, and have confirmed it reports values in-line with CAT scales at over 6K per tire.

My original setup had the load cells flush with the plate (you can see the old mounting holes in the bottom photo) but I moved them further outboard so I could run the feet up for a lower overall height (around 4.5") and allow for the load cells to fully flex without hitting the plate (which wasn't an issue at the weights I've tested, but might be towards the upper limits - say a class A DP rear). To get the most accurate readings, I've been using Lynx leveling blocks under the other tires so they're all at the same height as the scale. I've also used pairs of those blocks to ease driving on and off of the scale, and yes, you can put duals on it though they'll hang off the side.

[n0arp]

Just as an update, I actually pulled the threads out that were tapped into the aluminum plate while reweighing something 6-7K, multiple times in a row. I ended up drilling out the holes and bolting all the way through the aluminum plate this time, so weak aluminum threads aren't going to be a failure point.

[fj12ryder]

Very nice setup.

[Dutch_12078]

That's a neat idea and nice execution! I've used a 20 ton bottle jack with a pounds calibrated pressure gauge for years that I bought for $35 for corner weights. I don't know if anyone still sells them pre-built, but there's several DIY posts online on how to do it.

[bucky]

This is awesome, the best post of the year. Thanks so much.
Our 5er has got to be way heavy on the road side as everything is on that side. I'd like to know just how heavy. This will do it and at a great price.

[n0arp]

chindog wrote:
I am intrigued by this. Does the 4 x 5000 kit only weigh up to 5,000# in total, or would it report weights up to 20,000#?

5K each, for up to 20K total.



I've tested it with over 6K.

[chindog]

I am intrigued by this. Does the 4 x 5000 kit only weigh up to 5,000# in total, or would it report weights up to 20,000#?

[RLS7201]

I wonder how much thisTongue weights?

[BobsYourUncle]

Glad you shared it! I'll have to add this to my never ending project list...
This would be great to check the tongue weight on my TT.

[Lwiddis]

Interesting. Thank you for posting.

[n0arp]

BobsYourUncle wrote:
Wow!!

That's nothing short of amazing! Very nice work, I'm impressed!

We need a thumbs up smiley for occasions like this.

Thanks! It's a really simple build, and I can't take credit for much of it. It's a relatively cheap way to get unlimited corner weighs though, and I thought it should be shared.

[BobsYourUncle]

Wow!!

That's nothing short of amazing! Very nice work, I'm impressed!

We need a thumbs up smiley for occasions like this.

[coolmom42]

Pretty slick!