Cat scaled it up

[Crispie0206]

Finally went to the cat scale near me fully loaded and was relieved to see everything looked good as far as I can tell. As someone who is fairly new to this I would like to see if any more experienced people see anything worrisome.

[Mike134]

So if I read your ticket correctly the trailer is 100lbs more than the dry label weight?

[Crispie0206]

Originally Posted by Mike134

So if I read your ticket correctly the trailer is 100lbs more than the dry label weight?

Yes, which I thought was weird. It was a 2 day trip so we didn't have a ton of food and clothes. But it was definitely more than 100 lbs. This was also with all tanks empty. I'm thinking the weight distribution hitch took a little of the weight off the trailer.

[lbrjet]

Your sticker dry weight includes the tongue weight which is mostly part of the truck weight in your scale ticket. The trailer weight is the TW plus trailer axle(s) weight.

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Mike134

So if I read your ticket correctly the trailer is 100lbs more than the dry label weight?

Originally Posted by Crispie0206

Yes, which I thought was weird. It was a 2 day trip so we didn't have a ton of food and clothes. But it was definitely more than 100 lbs. This was also with all tanks empty. I'm thinking the weight distribution hitch took a little of the weight off the trailer.

As lbrjet is saying, you don't actually know the trailer's weight. The trailer's weight is the weight carried by the axles (shown on the slip) plus the tongue weight that is carried by the truck.

You have to do multiple weighings in order to be able to calculate the tongue weight:

1, truck + camper with WDH engaged
2, truck + camper with WDH bars in truck bed
3, truck only

The difference in truck weights between #2 and #3 is your tongue weight.

Here's an article + video on how to weigh:
https://learntorv.com/weigh-rv/

And then here's a calculator where you can plug all 3 slips into:
Actual Weights - Travel Trailer/Bumper Pull Weights from CAT Scales - TowingPlanner

[Villagerjjm]

My dry weight includes a full tank (40 gallons) of fresh water…. I never fill it when going on a trip.

[Crispie0206]

Originally Posted by ependydad

As lbrjet is saying, you don't actually know the trailer's weight. The trailer's weight is the weight carried by the axles (shown on the slip) plus the tongue weight that is carried by the truck.



You have to do multiple weighings in order to be able to calculate the tongue weight:



1, truck + camper with WDH engaged

2, truck + camper with WDH bars in truck bed

3, truck only



The difference in truck weights between #2 and #3 is your tongue weight.



Here's an article + video on how to weigh:

https://learntorv.com/weigh-rv/



And then here's a calculator where you can plug all 3 slips into:

Actual Weights - Travel Trailer/Bumper Pull Weights from CAT Scales - TowingPlanner

Thank you for the info. I wasn't aware of all of that.

[Mike134]

Just an FYI get the Cat scale app for your smart phone. You can do all the weighing and never need to park and go inside to get the ticket.
https://catscale.com/cat-scale-apps/

[GLBCamper]

I recently went to the CAT scales and got my weight with the WDH engaged, but did not get #2 or #3 as the truck stop was quite busy and made it difficult to drop my trailer and reweigh. So I went home and unhooked and, without changing anything else, got my tongue weight using a Sherline tongue scale.
My question is, can I just add the tongue weight to my trailer axle weight to get the trailer's GVWR? Also, is the combined weight of the steering angle and drive axle with the TT and WDH attached equivalent to the TV's GVWR?

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by GLBCamper

I recently went to the CAT scales and got my weight with the WDH engaged, but did not get #2 or #3 as the truck stop was quite busy and made it difficult to drop my trailer and reweigh. So I went home and unhooked and, without changing anything else, got my tongue weight using a Sherline tongue scale.

First, it's pedantic but below you're using the term "GVWR" which stands for "gross vehicle weight rating". With the "R" is the maximum the trailer or truck should weigh (aka the rating/maximum it should be). Without the "R" is the "GVW" or "gross vehicle weight".

Originally Posted by GLBCamper

My question is, can I just add the tongue weight to my trailer axle weight to get the trailer's GVWR?

No because you don't know how much tongue weight was transferred back to the trailer's axles. Using what you have will give you an idea of what the trailer weighs but it'll actually be a little over what reality is.

Originally Posted by GLBCamper

Also, is the combined weight of the steering angle and drive axle with the TT and WDH attached equivalent to the TV's GVWR?

Again no, only because some of the tongue weight is shifted back to the trailer.