Cat scale procedure for Imagine XLS

[tfgd21bhe]

After reading dozens of posts and the GD manual, I'm confused as to the proper CAT scale procedure.

GD manual says weigh trailer alone, then truck and trailer while hitched, and finally trailer only while still hitched.

Another method I've read is truck and trailer hitched (each axle set on different pad), and truck alone.

Another method I've read is truck alone, truck and trailer hitched with WDH engaged, and truck and trailer with WDH disengaged.

What's the right way to do this?

Thanks

[NB Canada]

They are basically all the same
But the third one listed will give you all the info you need
Are you having towing issues?


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[Ynot4me2]

Ya it can be confusing at first.
Download the Cat Scale app, this will just make it quicker and easier to find a scale and pay.
Then drive onto the scale with the TT and WDH engage take a reading, then simply disengage the wdh for the 2nd reading. The 3rd reading is the truck only but leave the wdh on the truck.
This along with the door sticker of you tv and the sticker on the tt will give you all the numbers you will need.

Sent from my SM-G955W using Tapatalk

[CoChris]

After reading dozens of posts and the GD manual, I'm confused as to the proper CAT scale procedure.

GD manual says weigh trailer alone, then truck and trailer while hitched, and finally trailer only while still hitched.

Another method I've read is truck and trailer hitched (each axle set on different pad), and truck alone.

Another method I've read is truck alone, truck and trailer hitched with WDH engaged, and truck and trailer with WDH disengaged.

What's the right way to do this?

Thanks

The cat scale has three pads. You want to stop with the tow vehicles front wheel (axle) on the front pad, the TV rear wheels on the middle pad and the trailer wheels on the (very larger) rear pad. Each time over (each weigh) gives you three reading; the front axle of your tow vehicle, the rear axle of the TV (and if attached) the sum of the trailer axles. Once you have these reading in the different hitch conditions you simply subtract the weight between reading to get the amount of weight and weight change. The order you take the weights (configuration) does not matter, but do keep track of which weights go with which configuration (bars loaded or unloaded).

For example on the front axle;
Front axle weight (w/trailer WDH bars unloaded) - Front axle weight (TV only) = Front axle weight gain (maybe negative)
Front axle weight (w/trailer WDH bars loaded) - Front axle weight (TV only) = Front axle weight gain (maybe negative)

Same with the TV rear axel and trailer axle weights.

Hope this helps.
Chris

[Stealth13777]

Ya it can be confusing at first.
Download the Cat Scale app, this will just make it quicker and easier to find a scale and pay.
Then drive onto the scale with the TT and WDH engage take a reading, then simply disengage the wdh for the 2nd reading. The 3rd reading is the truck only but leave the wdh on the truck.
This along with the door sticker of you tv and the sticker on the tt will give you all the numbers you will need.

The third option you posted is generally accepted, and the above quote is a great explanation. No reason to unhook the trailer and weigh it by itself - that weight is easy to get by subtracting truck weight.

The second weight mentioned with WDH bars disengaged will give you the trailer’s as-loaded tongue weight, which is useful.

[tfgd21bhe]

The 3rd option is the one I had seen most often, but really had me wondering when the GD manual said something different and never mention the WDH at all.

Thanks for the info.

[Ynot4me2]

In addition, with the 1st reading and the 3rd, you see if your wdh is well adjusted. With the 2nd and the 3rd, you get your real tw and tt weight.

[tfgd21bhe]

OK, I stopped at the CAT scale as we left to go camping and then used the changinggears.com weight calculator and it tells me my 21bhe is too heavy while another calculator (can't remember which one) says everything is fine.

Truck and trailer with WDH engaged
Front axle: 2880
Rear axle: 2780
Trailer axle: 5020

Truck and trailer with WDH disengaged
Front axle: 2640
Rear axle: 3120
Trailer axle: 4900

Truck alone
Front axle: 2900
Rear axle: 2260

Trailer alone: 5500

Truck rated weights
GVWR: 6000
GAWR Front: 3200
GAWR Rear: 3500
GCWR: 12000

Trailer GVW: 5895

I can't see how the trailer is too heavy as I don't see any actual weight that exceeds the any of the truck's or trailer's ratings.

[NB Canada]

OK, I stopped at the CAT scale as we left to go camping and then used the changinggears.com weight calculator and it tells me my 21bhe is too heavy while another calculator (can't remember which one) says everything is fine.

Truck and trailer with WDH engaged
Front axle: 2880
Rear axle: 2780
Trailer axle: 5020

Truck and trailer with WDH disengaged
Front axle: 2640
Rear axle: 3120
Trailer axle: 4900

Truck alone
Front axle: 2900
Rear axle: 2260

Trailer alone: 5500

Truck rated weights
GVWR: 6000
GAWR Front: 3200
GAWR Rear: 3500
GCWR: 12000

Trailer GVW: 5895

I can't see how the trailer is too heavy as I don't see any actual weight that exceeds the any of the truck's or trailer's ratings.

Looks fine
Go camping


2021 Imagine 2400 BH
2018 GMC Sierra 4x4 crew

[Stealth13777]

It’s probably one number on the changing gears calculator messing with it. Not personally a fan of that calculator for actual numbers - it works a little better for the ‘is my truck enough for x’ question when people don’t have a trailer yet.

Enjoy the trip! Numbers look good. Only thing I see is that tongue weight (I calculated at 600lbs) is at about 11% - if you experience sway at higher speeds, it would be due to that number, but you’re within the safe range. I put 1/3 tank of fresh water in mine and it helps increase that tongue weight. Is that a Colorado pulling a 17MKE?