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Old 02-06-2016, 02:23 PM   #1
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Scale to weigh trailer

Wondering where I can weight trailer and truck combined near a major city like Chicago? Can you take it to the weight stations you see on the highways? How much do they charge of so?
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Old 02-06-2016, 02:26 PM   #2
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Most any truck stop would get the job done.
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Old 02-06-2016, 02:28 PM   #3
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CAT Scale Locator | CAT Scale
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Old 02-06-2016, 02:37 PM   #4
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Look for a Truck Stop that says "CAT Scales"! In regards to Highway DOT scales they hire the MOST UNfriendly People they can find! In regards to the RULES if they are Really concerned about Weight on the Roads they would leave the scales ON when they are Not there so Trucks could Check their own Weight,Grain Elevators and Feed Mills leave theirs ON,No Big Deal! Youroo!!
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Old 02-06-2016, 02:47 PM   #5
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Old 02-06-2016, 05:25 PM   #6
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Great info, now I know where to go.
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Old 02-07-2016, 12:50 PM   #7
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Old 02-07-2016, 01:06 PM   #8
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A related Newbie question(s).
1. Is it critical that I load the TT up? Ideally it would be ready for the trip. But I was thinking of swinging by the scales after I pick up the TT from storage. I have a good idea of my load out weight. But will go back with it loaded to confirm.
2. How do I determine the tongue weight? Thanks Greg
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Old 02-07-2016, 01:14 PM   #9
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Originally Posted by fyrdad View Post
A related Newbie question(s).
1. Is it critical that I load the TT up? Ideally it would be ready for the trip. But I was thinking of swinging by the scales after I pick up the TT from storage. I have a good idea of my load out weight. But will go back with it loaded to confirm.
2. How do I determine the tongue weight? Thanks Greg
Yes it is because otherwise you will not get an accurate weight. Also important to have the truck loaded as you travel as well.

There a form somewhere in here that I hope someone has handy to post.. . Follow the procedure, Three weights at one visit, and that will get all your numbers. It varies having the truck only.. WD on and off with trailer.

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Old 02-07-2016, 01:20 PM   #10
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Learn To RV: How to Weigh a Travel Trailer



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Old 02-08-2016, 11:13 PM   #11
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Since you are not an 18 wheeler truck, you wouldn't give truck number & trailer number, I'm assuming? Do you just tell the weigh master that you are an individual just wanting to weigh your truck an camper?
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Old 02-09-2016, 12:23 AM   #12
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Some of the moving and storage warehouses have truck scales and in years past, I found that most of them were friendly and they did not even charge me.
Yes, try to load the trailer just as you would for travel.
Or, come to Oregon -- we have free scales all over so log trucks can weigh. Just don't line up with the log trucks as they get testy if you hold them up weighing. They are quick on and off and are only interested in overall gross weight because for them time is money if they own the truck and are paying for it. But, often the scales are vacant, especially in the later afternoon, and you can weigh any combination of axles, tires, etc. to your heart's content.
I get a tongue weight by dropping my Outback with the tongue jack resting on the center of the log scales, level the trailer (since I tow level) and read the tongue weight.
In Oregon in the late afternoon when the log trucks are all gone (due to "hooty owl hours" -- start work at 3:00 or 4:00 AM and quit at noon to lessen fire danger in the woods during the summer or dry seasons) you pretty much can have a scale all to yourself for about as long as you need. Most scale sites are automated and not manned, so no testy quasi government idiots to deal with. Only people who know are you and those with you.
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Old 02-09-2016, 12:42 AM   #13
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Check out this site. Weigh you rig, print out the calc sheet, and let the online calculator do it for you.

http://wwwfifthwheelst.com
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Old 02-09-2016, 12:43 AM   #14
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Old 02-09-2016, 01:09 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by fyrdad View Post
A related Newbie question(s).
1. Is it critical that I load the TT up? Ideally it would be ready for the trip. But I was thinking of swinging by the scales after I pick up the TT from storage. I have a good idea of my load out weight. But will go back with it loaded to confirm.
2. How do I determine the tongue weight? Thanks Greg
You should load the tt and truck like you would for camping (I usually have everything except food). Have all passengers, pets and gear that you would for camping in the truck too. Also have a full tank of fuel.
Bring a broom handle or long ice scraper to breach the button. Tell them private vehicle when asked. They will ask 1st weigh or reweigh. 1st trip is first weigh. Typically first trip is $9-12 and each additional weigh at the same scale in a 24 hrs period is $1-3.


To weigh you want to make 3 passes (can be do be in any order).

1st weigh - truck only no trailer. Have truck front axle on scale pad 1 and rear axle on scale pad two. Push button, give info, pull off scsles, park and go pay/get weight ticket printout. This gives you front axle weight, rear axle weight, and total truck weight.

2nd weigh - truck plus tt no wdh hooked up. Have truck positioned as in 1st weigh. Both trailer axles on scale pad 3. Follow same steps above. Add together the steer and drive axles for a new truck weight. The difference between the 2 truck weights is your loaded tongue weight. The difference between the total weights on the two tickets is your trailers total loaded weight.

3rd weigh - truck plus tt with wdh hooked up. Same positioning and steps as 2nd weigh. Now compare your axle weights to first weigh. The idea is to try to get your front axle as close to unloaded weight as possible without going heavier. If far off, then wdh needs readjusting.
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