Haul Gauge

[deano]

Happy holidays to everyone. I've just discovered the Haulguage. It plugs into your diagnostic port on your truck. Load the app on your smart phone and can give your payload wt. Tongue wt. Wt. distribution all the good stuff. I'd like to hear from anyone that's used it . How accurate , used it with any success. It's $99.00. Seems reasonable to me if it's at least close to accurate. Thanks

[RedHorse1]

I can’t imaging how that could work, sounds like snake oil to me. But the world is full of people that are smarter than me.
I read the “how it works” on the web site and it might work. It gives its numbers based on calc’s using loaded/unloaded acceleration, squat... numbers from the OBD port. Would love to see it’s results and then dash to the scale for a comparison.
Would love to but not worth $100 to me to find out.

[Jagiven]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

I can’t imaging how that could work, sounds like snake oil to me. But the world is full of people that are smarter than me.

I spent some time last night looking at it, reading specs and reviews. I kinda say the same thing.

From what I can tell, it is looking at the torque converter slip data, and an accelerometer in the plug, then it's doing some math.

I never read anything about transmission requirements, but I thought only automatic transmissions have a torque converter, so does it work with a manual transmission.

[DonaandDon]

Maybe for gassers at below the 5-8k threshold of GVWR.

Most trucks have the GVWR on the door jam. Most truckers have the website or manual that gives the specs for either 5r or TT.

When in doubt just buy a Super Duty.

[deano]

Thanks for responses. I figured there would be some opinions on it. I was really wondering if any one has actually used one. Thanks anyways

[Coasty AV8R]

Unless it has it's own sensors to mount on the vehicle and trailer suspension, how in the world would it give you a realistic tongue wt and wt distribution much less payload? All it would really be telling you is how hard your truck is working but there are a many other things you can look at to figure that out such as engine & tranny temp as well as your fuel mileage. The rest of the data would just a manufactured logarithm that provides you a guess.

[billcf7]

I've had one for about a year now and it works great. Within a couple hundred pounds of scale weights

[Big1]

I was thinking myself on getting this and it seem like that it will work, I haven't had a chance on buying it yet, right now I have so many other things that I need to get.

[Xboaters]

This probably doesn’t apply to anyone but me, but it’s doubtful it will work with a standard transmission. I say doubtful because I received 2 opposing answers from 2 different Haul Gauge techs.

“I am going to assume you are referring to the Better weight/haul gauge working in a truck with a 6 speed manual transmission. Yes this will work with one limitation. With the manual transmission you will not be able to use the trailer or vehicle weight feature as there is no torque converter slippage to read. All other features will work as designed. In some cases depending on the age of the vehicle you may need to calibrate the sensor to your platform. There are instruction in that app that will talk you through this procedure.”

And

“I'm sorry but the units do not work with a manual transmission. They will only work with automatic's.”

[01tundra]

I took some work getting it calibrated, but ours is very close to what the CAT scales say.

Everything hinges on how fast you accelerate during calibration. I did it a few times to get it to match the CAT weight unloaded, but once I got it dialed in it is now very accurate.

There was no database info for a 2500HD at the time, I imagine mine is now the database since I worked with their engineer to get it set up properly.

[JFlightRisk]

The thread titled "Curt Betterweigh" is inquiring about a similar product.

[billcf7]

Originally Posted by Coasty AV8R

Unless it has it's own sensors to mount on the vehicle and trailer suspension, how in the world would it give you a realistic tongue wt and wt distribution much less payload? All it would really be telling you is how hard your truck is working but there are a many other things you can look at to figure that out such as engine & tranny temp as well as your fuel mileage. The rest of the data would just a manufactured logarithm that provides you a guess.

It uses information from the TV computer to do the calculations

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUORyaTjXIk

[Tabbybum]

I bought one a month or so ago. It’s a little hard to get the exact weight because it is an analog gage not digital. My reading looked to be about 9,100 or 9,200 lbs. I took my truck to a CAT scale and it said 9,080 lbs.

[Scott_Trailer_Newbe]

I bought one about 8 months ago. Seems to work fairly well and I’d recommend it.

[RoadieWingZ]

Reviving an old 4 year thread (rather than starting another) for recent relevant experienced opinions…..

Haul Gauge is selling the latest version of this tool on sale for $40 delivered so I’m looking for feedback from actual owners on their pros/cons of using this system. I’m a retired engineer that loves to use smart tools in my home/auto/hobby endeavors and this kinda fits that model. Any and all insight from actual users is appreciated.

[billcf7]

That’s a steal considering I think I payed just over $100 Canadian back in 2018. I think it works great and now with the extra features they added a few years back even better

[JKyle]

Originally Posted by RedHorse1

I can’t imaging how that could work, sounds like snake oil to me. But the world is full of people that are smarter than me.
I read the “how it works” on the web site and it might work. It gives its numbers based on calc’s using loaded/unloaded acceleration, squat... numbers from the OBD port. Would love to see it’s results and then dash to the scale for a comparison.
Would love to but not worth $100 to me to find out.

I have no idea how it would work, but I do know on some trucks...I know Ford has an option for onboard scale readings sent to dash display. Could it be tapping into this potential built into the truck, despite not actually having the option?

[craigav]

From their website, this gauge "should not be relied upon to keep within the limits of your vehicle's manufacture specifications.."

[Russc25]

Originally Posted by JKyle

I have no idea how it would work, but I do know on some trucks...I know Ford has an option for onboard scale readings sent to dash display. Could it be tapping into this potential built into the truck, despite not actually having the option?

No need, it uses a combination of accelerometers and a database of known information from other trucks.

Static load can be checked by taking a baseline angle measurement of the truck empty then loading the rear and seeing how much the angle changes. Knowing the geometry and springrate from the database it can guestimate the static load. A limitation of this is front loading counters rear loading... have the fat kid sit on the front bumper and the angle sensor might think there's less load in back.

Dynamic load can use speed changes vs engine output against previous measurements (of yours or their reference trucks). IE accelerating at this throtle position with this load results in this rate of change of speed. Limitation is it only has known trucks that they've tested in the DB. Might be able to extrapolate somewhat based on air mass-flow estimating HP against gearing and curb weight.

It's not perfect and not a direct measurement which is why they have that disclaimer that it's a ballpark tool only. Too many variables and potential failure modes. Obviously it gets close though.

[ARoamer]

Just got a Haul Gauge delivered today. At $39.95 I thought I'd give one a try. Easy setup, my VIN was in their database. Pulled my TS3 hitch out for calibrating, it weighs 260#. Results-
1st pic, TV empty with me sitting on tailgate. I weigh 198#.
2nd pic, with 260# TS3 hitch in bed.
3rd pic, with 5er pin loaded in hitch. Dry published pin weight is #2,445. Add my hitch weight, Washer / dryer combo, small generator, heavy duty inverter, batteries, 120# of LP, tools, 2 e bikes in the basement, grill, table, and it looks close.
I think it's definitely in the ball park, I'm impressed. I haven't checked the 5er's weight yet, it has to be towed to do so.