Proper way to weigh rig? Scale update.

Take a look at the last three paragraphs of this post by member Ron Gratz. It will spell out exactly what you need to do to get all necessary weights for your truck and trailer.
Barney

Yep, what Barney, err Ron, said. 3 passes with weight per axle on the tow vehicle and combined for the trailer.

For a travel trailer- assuming that you're doing it at a CAT scale that has 3 scales that you pull onto:

1) Weighing #1 - hooked up and ready for travel - truck's front tires (aka steer axle) on the first pad; truck's rear tires (aka drive axle) on the second pad; all trailer axles on third pad

2) Weighing #2 - disconnect the WDH bars and put them into the truck bed - same axles/arrangement as #1

3) Weighing #3 - park the camper in a truck spot and move the WDH bars to the camper - same truck axles as weighing #1

Throughout all 3 weighs, nothing should change - no moving of passengers, no one goes to the bathroom, etc. Do them all at once (not before and after a trip, for instance).

If you're weighing at a different scale - you essentially want all of the same weights, you'll just have to move the truck more often to get individual weights.

If you're going to a CAT scale, it can be a challenge to reach the call button. I found I had to stretch, but I could reach it (just not hear real well). Many people are taking a short 3' stick of some sort to push it *or* going inside ahead of time to get the phone number of the weigh desk and calling that instead of using the button.

My CAT scale weightings costed me $10 for the first weigh and then $1 or $2 for each re-weigh.

Finally, load the truck and camper as if you were going camping. Family in the truck, carp in the truck bed, etc.

The sequence of the three weighings is a matter of personal choice.

But, if you are going to hitch up the WD bars or unhitch the WD bars while on the scale,
you should ask the operator for permission to do so.

Ron

Thank you all for the replies. So if I am reading this correct.

1)Weigh truck and trailer un-hitched.
2)Weigh truck and trailer hitched with no WD.
3)Weigh truck and trailer hitched with WD

mojoroo wrote:
Thank you all for the replies. So if I am reading this correct.

1)Weigh truck and trailer un-hitched.
2)Weigh truck and trailer hitched with no WD.
3)Weigh truck and trailer hitched with WD

Correction:
1) Weigh truck only

Personally, I would do it in 3, 2, 1 order. But, however you get there is good.

You do not need to weigh the trailer itself. You can get that by doing some math based on the other weightings.

I also wrote up a blog post on this:
How to Weigh a Travel Trailer

Obviously, if there are commercial vehicles in line to use the scales, don't block them while you are hitching/unhitching or messing with your WD hitch. Some scales will want a vehicle number. It can be as simple as your initials followed by a single digit. I prefer dropping off a dozen donuts at my local grain elevator during their off season to using truck stop scales. Most are very friendly.

Ron Gratz wrote:
The sequence of the three weighings is a matter of personal choice.

But, if you are going to hitch up the WD bars or unhitch the WD bars while on the scale,
you should ask the operator for permission to do so.

Ron

Good point. I just assumed someone would do that off the scale. Never thought to mention it.

Ok I got some numbers. I had to work fast as storms were reported close in the area after I got the rig on the scale. Winds were blowing at 40-50 MPH so not sure if that made the numbers off.

#1 Hitched without WD. Front 3500# Rear 4240# TT 7360# Total 15100

#2 Hitched WITH WD Front 3400# Rear 4120# TT 7400# Total 14920

#3 Un-hitched from truck Front 3520# Rear 3980# TT 7180# Total 14680

Now on the third one I am 85% sure the scale weighed without me on it. I weight 280# and a storm was in full effect. I also was missing daughters clothing and food in the fridge.