How to get hitch weight w/ bath scales

[OutAndAbout]

Haven’t seen this in this forum so I thought, since I have a new unit, I would check mine, take photos and post it. This will work using standard bathroom scales, a 4 ft. or longer 2x4, 2 blocks of 2x4 each 1.5” to 2” wide at points A and C and a block of 2x4 between the hitch and horizontal 4 ft. 2x4 called point D (you could use a small screw jack or something similar). Point C is the block setting on top of the scales. If you are on concrete or asphalt you will not need the bigger block under point A or the scales.

The distance between point A and C needs to be 3 feet, the distance between points B and C is 2 feet and of course the distance between points A and B is then one foot. This will give you one third of your hitch weight shown on the scales witch you will need to multiply by 3 to get your true hitch weight. My weight was 128 pounds X 3 equals 384 actual pounds on the hitch.

MAKE SURE you have both trailer tires chocked both sides (2 chocks each tire) and stabilizer jacks raised. For point D I cut a length of 2x4 to just fit between the hitch and horizontal 2x4 then just raised the tongue jack to lower the hitch until the tongue jack was just of the ground. You can test this first using your own weight.

[ko777]

I've posted my 2012 A128S tongue weight when I first got it, it was close to 400 lbs but I did the easy way not as accurate as yours. I'm curious what is the weight difference if you did it my way, more or less? Can you compare both ways and post the results?


I just put the scale right under the tongue

[thebrakeman]

Most scales don't go over 300 lbs.
And most trailer have more than 400 lbs TW.

[OutAndAbout]

ko777, thebrakeman is right, my scale only goes up to 300 pounds. I'm sure your way is probably more accurate. I tested it first with myself on the scales, 160 pounds, then standing at point B I got 53 pounds times 3 equals 159 pounds, close enough.

[lcarter40]

Great idea for scales less than 300 pounds and I always like some math on a Friday.

[ko777]

Yes great idea and since my TV is rated 350# TW which is 10% of max towing capacity, I'll use your way when I get a new TV in 5 years. I am forced to take the propane tanks inside the trailer and no heavy stuff in the front storage. I've been asking around about going over 50# of TW, will it damage my TV, so far they say not to worry. I did the East Coast trip in Canada 6000 km last summer. I measured the sagging difference before and after the trip, no change. I always do a TW audit before a trip. Your pic putting the block of wood right under the tongue is what I'll do next time.
These pics shows how I measure sagging at the rear and rising at front of TV:

From the middle of the tire well

To the middle of the tire

Below 2" sag and below .5" rise is what my TV is at when towing my TT. I also asked around and searched in the Internet, they say the numbers I have is safe for towing.

[camaraderie]

Great idea out & about...very creative!
Instead of trailering something...I will be carrying something on the hitch itself (motor scooter) in a class A so still have to consider tongue weight.
I'm thinking I could adapt your method and adjust the scale to read ZERO once I have it set up under the hitch receiver...then I could add the carrier & scooters and take a reading to get 1/3 tongue weight. Does that make sense or am I missing something?