Hitting the scales

Terry and Debbie

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RV LIFE Pro
Joined
Jul 5, 2024
Messages
18
Location
Florida
We are going past a CAT scale on our next journey
Can some please tell me the proper procedure for getting the weights I need to ensure safety on the highway
We have been out several times the furthest was 200 miles one way and the TT pulled nice
Just a little wiggle when a semi passed us
Ran about 60 on the interstate
Just hear most people doing it and mainly I want to be safe
Thanks
 
Just weighing the entire rig hooked up will tell you most things
You could unhitch and just weigh the truck alone but I personally wouldnt
I have a cat location right near me so I have been there with just my truck and have done it. Maybe check your final destination and perhaps there is a scale nearby after you unhitch to camp
What is your vehicle and trailer?
 
You are quite likely well within your limits imo with that setup

I personally would just weigh the entire rig hooked up and it will give you the axle and cgvwr
 
Great video on how to weigh truck and trailer - if you're there why not do it all ?


Right around the 9min mark is when he shows the relevant 2 sets of numbers.
 
I'm not saying what I did is the best way, just the way I did it.
No Cat scales around here I was using a Gov't of Ontario MTO scale.
Connected I weighed the truck front axle, then the rear axle, then the trailer axles. Then disconnected the trailer and again weighed the truck front and rear axles separately.
With a little math I knew exactly how much weight the trailer added to the truck.
I was quite surprised. 2021 303RLS was 2700 pounds on the pin. Trailer was only loaded for a weekend outing.
 
I watched that Irene Irons video when it 1st came out. I told the missus that the only thing they could do to correct the situation, was to get a dually. A few weeks later they had a RAM short bed dually.

The CAT scale weights can get you all sorts of information, but there is 1 more step involved over the video if you want to get all of the information for a bumper pull travel trailer. 1 trip across with the WDH bars in place, 1 trip across without the bars in place, and 1 trip across with the truck only after dropping the trailer in the yard. Keep cargo and passengers in the same place each trip across.

Compare weight with the weight distributing bars in place vs solo truck to make sure you get the correct weight distribution.

The weight without the bars in place will give you the hitch weight (truck with trailer minus truck solo).

The CAT scale app is great, but I could not get it to do the reweighs at the cheaper costs. I had to go inside to get the reweigh prices instead of paying the $14 every trip across. I hope the app can properly calculate the reweighs now.
 
We are going past a CAT scale on our next journey
Can some please tell me the proper procedure for getting the weights I need to ensure safety on the highway
We have been out several times the furthest was 200 miles one way and the TT pulled nice
Just a little wiggle when a semi passed us
Ran about 60 on the interstate
Just hear most people doing it and mainly I want to be safe
Thanks
Dont be such a worry wort. Just drive and enjoy your trip 😊
 
If the CAT scale is close enough, here's an extra step. I weighed my truck empty. Then loaded it up for towing and weighed the truck loaded, including fuel. Then weighed the whole rig as directed above. It was informative to see just how much the gear in the bed of the truck weighed.
( I admit that was when I was towing with an F-150 and pushing the rear axle limits. With my F-250 I don't bother. ;) )
 
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Does the scale do those separately by itself or do I need to move the rig or is the a formula?
When you get to a CAT scale, you will see two smaller scales on the pavement and a longer one. Put the front tires on your truck on the first scale, rear on the second smaller scale, and the trailer tires on the longer scale. Send your wife in beforehand so she can pay and explain it is a private vehicle vs a commercial truck. They may need to adjust the scale accordingly. You will get a report reflecting all three weights. You add all three together and that determines your GVWR.. You do not want that total to be higher than the GVWR reflected on your driver's door frame.
 
When you get to a CAT scale, you will see two smaller scales on the pavement and a longer one. Put the front tires on your truck on the first scale, rear on the second smaller scale, and the trailer tires on the longer scale. Send your wife in beforehand so she can pay and explain it is a private vehicle vs a commercial truck. They may need to adjust the scale accordingly. You will get a report reflecting all three weights. You add all three together and that determines your GVWR.. You do not want that total to be higher than the GVWR reflected on your driver's door frame.
Actually adding all three will give you the cgvwr. Just the two truck weights will give you gvwr of the truck
 
We are going past a CAT scale on our next journey
Can some please tell me the proper procedure for getting the weights I need to ensure safety on the highway
We have been out several times the furthest was 200 miles one way and the TT pulled nice
Just a little wiggle when a semi passed us
Ran about 60 on the interstate
Just hear most people doing it and mainly I want to be safe
Thanks
Here is a good video on using CAT scales
 
I had the 22MLE with a 1/2-ton truck. You should be careful in the wind. Upgrade to a 3/4 ton, and you will be much happier.
 
We are going past a CAT scale on our next journey
Can some please tell me the proper procedure for getting the weights I need to ensure safety on the highway
We have been out several times the furthest was 200 miles one way and the TT pulled nice
Just a little wiggle when a semi passed us
Ran about 60 on the interstate
Just hear most people doing it and mainly I want to be safe
Thanks
There are some good videos on YouTube. Get the Cat Scale app. You’ll do your first weigh with your trailer, then your second weigh without the trailer. Since Cat Scales are at truck stops, it’s easy to drop the trailer. You won’t be able to weigh the left (off door) or right sides independently since there is no room to drive only half the axles on the scale.


If you get the app, it will charge your credit card for the first weigh and then the lesser fee for the second weigh.
 
We are going past a CAT scale on our next journey
Can some please tell me the proper procedure for getting the weights I need to ensure safety on the highway
We have been out several times the furthest was 200 miles one way and the TT pulled nice
Just a little wiggle when a semi passed us
Ran about 60 on the interstate
Just hear most people doing it and mainly I want to be safe
Thanks
Download the Cat Scale app. You can enter a payment method and do everything right at the scale. Visit Towingplanner.com for all the info you need on weighing your rig. Great that you are doing this. Have fun and be safe out there!!
 

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