Correct way to weigh a trailer

[Moomba2002]

Hello,

I have a new 5th. wheel trailer and I am wanting to take it to the scales but wondering what is the correct way to get pin weight and over all weights do you have to unhook from the tow vehicle? Always had truck campers so that was easy to do. Thanks for the help.

[Dick_B]

Technically the best procedure is to weigh each tire! Probably nobody does this but it is possible to have an axle underweight but one of the tires overweight because of loading in the RV.

[ACZL]

CAT brand scale is guaranteed to be accurate.

[CALandLIN]

Moomba2002 wrote:
Hello,

I have a new 5th. wheel trailer and I am wanting to take it to the scales but wondering what is the correct way to get pin weight and over all weights do you have to unhook from the tow vehicle? Always had truck campers so that was easy to do. Thanks for the help.

Chapter four in the following PDF will provide all the information you seek about trailer scaled weights.


click here!

[laknox]

Just make sure your truck is "camp ready", with full fuel and a typical load. Same with FW. Easiest is to find a camp destination that has a scale on the way. :B

Lyle

[dapperdan]

The way I have done it is to run the truck and trailer together on the scale. Most scales will have three "pads" for your axels, one for your steering axel, one for your drive (rear) axel(s)) and one for your trailer axels. After you get those weights from the office or fuel desk go drop your trailer off to the side, out of the way and weigh just your pick up. Then it's simple math figuring out what your pin weight is for your trailer. You'll also get to find out what your truck weighs all by itself! :B

Dan

[DavinD]

To clarify a little, Weigh the whole setup, unhitch and then re-weigh the truck. The difference in the steer axle and drive axle combined weights will be your pin weight.

[DavinD]

Moomba2002 wrote:
Hello,

I have a new 5th. wheel trailer and I am wanting to take it to the scales but wondering what is the correct way to get pin weight and over all weights do you have to unhook from the tow vehicle? Always had truck campers so that was easy to do. Thanks for the help.

If you want to know the pin weight you will need to unhitch. If you're just looking to see if you're under or over your truck's GVWR, then you don't need to unhitch.