Sherline Tongue Scale

[crasher]

I mentioned in another thread that I was going to order a Sherline Tongue Scale. I bought the 5000lb version so that it would have enough capacity to measure 5th wheel pin weights.

This device comes in 1000, 2000 and 5000 lbs sizes. According to the instructions, it is a hydraulic device. Accuracy is 2% in the mid range, and 3% at the extemes. That seems good enough to me.

Here’s what came in the box:



It’s all heavy metal and seems very well constructed. The manual is actually quite good and there is a good section on towing that every newbie should read. Here is the link to the manufacturers site on the device, you can read all about it and also view/download a PDF of their towing guide:

Sherline Trailer Tongue Weight Scales

The black peg like thing you see in the pic above is just that, a peg that you screw into the baseplate of the scale. This allows you to put the trailer hitch on the scale just like you do on the ball when you are getting ready to tow. Here it is attached:



I have 2 trailers I wanted to test this thing out with. As described in the manual, probably the easiest way to do this is using a floor jack. Here I have a 3000lb aluminum floor jack I bought at Northern that works very well.



You just pump up the jack until you lift the tongue support just off the ground – maybe ¼” or so. This first trailer is a Surveyor 189 that is supposed to have a dry tongue weight of 384#. As you can see below, I just have the tongue support plate off the floor by that much.



The trailer is fully loaded from my last trip out including 5-6 gallons of water, but the waste tanks are empty. (More in Part 2)

[crasher]

500# even! Not really a surprise as most of my gear is loaded in the front compartment. I don’t use a weight distributing hitch on this trailer, as I’m below the 600 limit on my truck’s hitch. I may start using one, but discussing that in another thread.

Next I moved over to my Sunset Trail 25RB. This trailer is supposed to have a 600 lb tongue weight dry. In fact, the dealer insisted on providing only 600# WD bars with this trailer, as doing anything more would be “crazy” and “unsafe”. Well, was he right?



I set up the same way, but needed a wood block as the tongue height is much higher than the Surveyor.



950#! Guess my dealer is an idiot, just like others report.

I did fool around with the height of the jack to see if the trailer at an angle would vary these weights. Well, in my experimenting, it makes no difference if the trailer is level, slightly pitched forward, or slightly pitched back.



I know this was long, as I like to ramble, but I hope this is helpful to some. I think this is a cool gadget that most folks could find useful to have. Amazon $155 delivered.

[Triguy]

Excellent review.

I also have a Sherline (2000lb) and find it accurate with my TT, easy to use and worth the investment.

[Witch Doctor]

Thanks, for all that useful info, I had no idea that they even made that device. I wouldn't listen to a sales person or at least I learned to take their statement with a grain of salt. They just want to sell stuff. You should put that on YOU TUBE. That might really help some people who own a tag along. What did you do about being over weight? Most trailers I have seen only have storage compartments up front. Thanks for all the insite and information. GREAT PIC'S...

[crasher]

Originally Posted by gljurczyk

Thanks, for all that useful info, I had no idea that they even made that device. I wouldn't listen to a sales person or at least I learned to take their statement with a grain of salt. They just want to sell stuff. You should put that on YOU TUBE. That might really help some people who own a tag along. What did you do about being over weight? Most trailers I have seen only have storage compartments up front. Thanks for all the insite and information. GREAT PIC'S...

I had some 1000 lb bars laying around from another setup, so it was not a problem. The trailer in total is not overweight, but I think the tongue weight published by the manufacturer is about 150 lbs off. You'd think the dealer would have wanted any excuse to sell me a set of bigger, more expensive bars. But as they say, there is no accounting for stupid.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

I did fool around with the height of the jack to see if the trailer at an angle would vary these weights. Well, in my experimenting, it makes no difference if the trailer is level, slightly pitched forward, or slightly pitched back.

I found different results using a 1000 lb. Sherline scale unit on my trailer. As the tongue height is raised, the tongue weight increases. As the tongue height is lowered, the tongue weight decreases.

I have read that lowering the tongue height should increase the tongue weight, as the weight over the axles is shifted forward. That is probably true for a single axle trailer, but not for a tandem axle trailer. As the tongue is raised on a double axle trailer, more weight is shifted to the rear axle, resulting in the center of gravity moving towards the rear, putting more weight on the tongue.

Also using the Sherline scale, I found out how fluid levels affect my trailer:

Adding 6 gallons of water to the water heater (located at the extreme back of my trialer) took 20 lbs. of the tongue

Adding 30 gallons of water to my fresh water tank (Located over and a bit behind the rear axle) took 20 lbs. off of the tongue.

Adding 30 gallons of water to my gray tank (just ahead of my front axle) added 40 lbs. to my tongue weight.

Adding 30 gallons of water to my black tank (just in front of my gray tank) added 80 lbs. to my tongue weight.

[tntrac]

Neat toy. Now, can I borrow it?

[crasher]

Sure. Send the jet and I'll bring it to you.