Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-16-2019, 08:23 AM   #1
Member
 
Larzy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Treasure Vally Idaho
Posts: 50
Quick question on CAT scales

Quick question on CAT scales. This will be my first visit to one and I'm not sure how to weigh regarding the weight distribution bars. Do they stay with the TT or TV? I have a smaller TT at 15ft so the bars can add a lot of weight to the full load of the TT.
Larzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2019, 08:30 AM   #2
Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 72
If you can...get 3 weights, assuming you are not holding up the line

Everything connected WDH hitch and trailer connected to TV.
Trailer connected with WDH off or disengaged(throw them in back of TV if needed).
Finally trailer disconnected on 1 plate and TV on another.

The bars will usually be considered tongue weight on the TV if that answers your question.
SquiggyFreud is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2019, 09:18 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 1,713
The scales have 4 or more segments, each will weigh an axle(s) weight independently.
You want the trailer axle(s) on one and the front and rear axles of the TV on two others.
Pick a time when the scales aren't busy, you don't want delay a commercial trucker.
It's a long reach up to the intercom to speak to the weighmaster.
__________________
2018 Ram 2500 Tradesman, CTD/CC/SB/4X4/Equalizer WDH
2019 Forest River Surveyor Legend 19BHLE
upflying is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2019, 09:40 AM   #4
llr
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 1,680
Quote:
Originally Posted by SquiggyFreud View Post
If you can...get 3 weights, assuming you are not holding up the line

Everything connected WDH hitch and trailer connected to TV.
Trailer connected with WDH off or disengaged(throw them in back of TV if needed).
Finally trailer disconnected on 1 plate and TV on another.

The bars will usually be considered tongue weight on the TV if that answers your question.
the 1st 2 are good, for the 3rd one leave the trailer in the parking lot and just weigh the truck. In all 3 cases have each truck axle on it's own scale plate.

Separating the trail on the scale ties up the scale and doesn't give anymore information.
__________________
2024 Artic Fox 3018 5th Wheel
Grand Design 2800BH TT 2021 - for sale
Prior TT 2017 Flagstaff 831CLBSS Classic Ultra lite - SOLD 5/21
TV 2024 F350 DRW - on order
Prior TV 2017 F150 6.5' bed 3.5 Eco-boost Max tow 1800lbs payload
llr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2019, 10:16 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
MillMitch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: MN
Posts: 1,311
I ran through twice, which gave me the key stats. First w/ TV only (including WDH and bars) and two people. Then a second time w/ TT connected and WDH engaged (same 2 people and stuff in TV). That provides my axle weights and confirms I'm under 7100# GVW of TV. It confirms I'm under the combined max tow weight. And I can get the stand alone TT weight by subtracting TV stand alone weight from combined with TT hooked up weight.
I'm towing w/ a Durango, so i keep an eye on the weight. I'll weigh again this spring since the camper tends to accumulate stuff.
__________________
Mitch in MN
2018 Patriot (Grey Wolf) 23MK travel trailer
2011 Durango 5.7L and OEM tow package
MillMitch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2019, 01:28 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 799
Also there is a CAT app for your phone. Sends the weights to your phone and emails you a PDF. You don't have to get out of the rig. Several YouTube videos about it.
__________________
DYNAMAX 2016 FORCE HD
houstonstroker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2019, 02:36 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
clarkbre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Snohomish, WA
Posts: 1,151
I use this Truck and Trailer Weights Calculator spreadsheet to calculate everything.

Plug the GVW data into the green cells from your truck and trailer. Then, use a standard or CAT scale to plug the numbers into the yellow cells. From there, you have a plethora of information regarding how your WDH is set up and if your TV or Trailer is overloaded in any area.
__________________

2017 Forest River Surveyor 247BHDS...
...Tugged by a 2016 F250 XLT FX4 SuperCrew, Shortbed 6.2L, 4wd, 3.73...
...Joined with a Husky Centerline TS 800-1200lbs WDH
clarkbre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2019, 02:39 PM   #8
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 56
Ask if that CAT Scale allows you to re-weigh your truck for 24 hours after you first weigh your rig hitched together. I always weigh my rig, take my trailer home, go back and weigh the truck. You only have to disconnect your trailer back at home (storage). Take your weigh slip with you when you go back to weigh the truck. This website might help you.
https://fifthwheelst.com/
menekaunee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-16-2019, 07:36 PM   #9
Member
 
Larzy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Treasure Vally Idaho
Posts: 50
Thanks all for your input. Appreciate it!
Larzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2019, 07:18 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
DouglasReid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Maurice, LA
Posts: 4,095
Quote:
Originally Posted by SquiggyFreud View Post
If you can...get 3 weights, assuming you are not holding up the line
.
The CAT Scales Ive been to will not allow you to unhitch on the scale itself, so you aer never really holding up the line.

They do not want the possibility of something going wrong and having the scales blocked or out of service.

They will allow you to move off the scale, do whatever you desire and re-weigh as many times in whatever configurations you desire for the re-weigh price, starting at the back of the line (assuming there is one) each time.

PS. Ive never had to wait in any line.
__________________
2012 Wildcat Sterling 32RL, Gladiator Qr35 ST235/85R16 Load rating G, TST 507 TPMS w/ Flow-thru Sensors & Repeater, Reese Sidewinder 16K Pin Box, PI EMS HW50C
2009 Chevy Silverado 2500HD CCSB LTZ Diesel, Fumoto Oil Drain Valve, Turbo Brake activated, 39 gal Aux Tank W/ Fuel Pump transfer, Air Lift Loadlifter 5000 air bags.
DouglasReid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-18-2019, 12:35 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 954
My strategy is to put my truck on one pad, the trailer on the other pad. I do one weigh. Chock the trailer, drop the front landing gear, lift the trailer off the Andersen hitch and get a reweigh. I go late in the day when there are no lines.

From this I get the following;
GCWR
Trailer weight
Truck weight hitched
Truck weight unhitched
Calculate for pin weight

Takes longer to get the attendant back on the line to capture the weights than it does to raise the 5er of the hitch.
__________________
2016 RAM 3500 DRW 4x4 LB LoneStar, w/RDS 33Gal Aux tank, Timbrens, Andersen Ultimate2, SwiftHitch SH04
2018 Chaparral 360IBL w/TST507 TPMS, Lippert GC3 Autolevel, Furrion Backup Cam, Progressive HW50C
2006 RAM 3500 DRW LoneStar Edition
2011 Starcraft 392BHUw/Andersen No-Sway

chaps2018 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-27-2019, 03:57 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Lzerarc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Iowa
Posts: 149
I just weighed everything Thursday afternoon. Did 4 weighs. Didn't wait once. Took about 30 mins total which included unhitching the trailer, rehitching and walking in to pay and get my ticket each time. For some reason they are a new scale (truck stop opened a few months ago) and their app doesn't work yet.
It was easy.
My first weigh was truck, trailer with wd engaged.
Second weigh was no WD engaged.
3rd weigh was truck only.
4th weigh I adjusted my hitch to send more weight forward after seeing my tickets to get the front axle closer to empty weight.
Lzerarc is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
cat, scales

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:19 AM.