CAT Scale Question

[twobytwo97]

Hello Everyone, When I picked up my new Trailer I went straight to the CAT Scale with my Tow Vehicle and trailer unloaded. I only had time to pull the TV and Trailer with WD system attached onto the scale and I received my TV front and rear axle weight as well as the Trailers axle weight. My question is according to the sticker on my 832 IKBS the dry weight is 7730, but the cat scale said the trailers axle weight was about 6900 lbs. Which one is correct? Or is the dry weight and axle weight two different things? Thanks!

[ependydad]

They're 2 different things. The dry weight is the axle weight plus the hitch weight.

[twobytwo97]

So I take my CAT scale axle weight minus the dry weight to get the hitch weight correct?

[twobytwo97]

Also would that tongue weight include the electric lift, propane tanks full, and battery? Thank you again for your help.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by twobytwo97

So I take my CAT scale axle weight minus the dry weight to get the hitch weight correct?

Not really. The dry weight is a number that no camper ever comes off of the factory's assembly line as. It's generally a stripped down model with no options. It includes the weight of propane + tanks, but not a battery. Also because with your WDH, you're transferring some of that tongue weight to your front wheels and camper's wheels.

You really need to get all 3 weighings for a trailer trailer:
1- truck + camper w/ WDH
2- truck + camper without WDH engaged (just coupler on ball)
3- truck-only

Only then can you actually get a true measurement for tongue weight and to see if your WDH is properly dialed in. Additionally, you should REDO #1 at the time as #2 and #3 so that you're comparing apples to apples.

See here:
Learn To RV: How to Weigh a Travel Trailer

Once you have weigh slips, you can use this to "run the numbers":
Actual Weights - Travel Trailer/Bumper Pull Weights from CAT Scales - Towing Planner

Originally Posted by twobytwo97

Also would that tongue weight include the electric lift, propane tanks full, and battery? Thank you again for your help.

Yes and no. Some percertage of those things will be added to the tongue weight, but not all.

[twobytwo97]

Thank you very much, that tow planner is what I really needed, I just need to get the unit weighed without the WD hitch engaged and I'll have my numbers. Now onto a new question thread.

[twobytwo97]

Hi ependydad, I did have one more question for after I get my last measurement, what should I look for as far as having the WD properly dialed in? Even weight on all 3 axles? Too much weight on 1 axle? Thanks.

[racenviper]

Fill your fuel tank(s) of the tow vehicle. If you fill those tanks before you cross the scale, it take a variation out of the equation. You will not have to measure your tow vehicle again, unless you replace it. Then you weight just the new vehicle.

1 gallon of gas can weight 6.073 and 1 gallon of diesel is 7.15 pounds. A 35 gallon tank can weight 212.6 for gas and 250.3 pounds for diesel.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by twobytwo97

Thank you very much, that tow planner is what I really needed, I just need to get the unit weighed without the WD hitch engaged and I'll have my numbers. Now onto a new question thread.

So, truthfully- you want to do all 3 weightings at one time. It takes any guess work out (was there this/that/other thing in the truck at the same time?).

Originally Posted by twobytwo97

Hi ependydad, I did have one more question for after I get my last measurement, what should I look for as far as having the WD properly dialed in? Even weight on all 3 axles? Too much weight on 1 axle? Thanks.

I'm the wrong person to ask here- I believe you want to return the weight to your front/steer axle that is removed when you hitch up. As long as you get that back to where you started, you're good. But, this is where I refer you to owners manuals for the truck + WDH and/or other folks on the forum. I just know *how* to way and process those numbers.

[wbdavey]

Two by - when you re-weigh your rig as detailed above, you'll want to adjust the WD hitch so that the TV front axle weight WITH WD bars attached is as close as practical to the front axle weight of the truck alone.