Total Weight

edowsfamily · 09-01-2015, 10:38 AM

This weekend we are heading to New York and staying at Thompson lake. should be great time seeing it is our annual family Labor Day camp out. so on the way out there I see there is an Ambest Super Stop just over the New York line on I-90 that has a Cat Scale. I plan on weighing the truck and camper just to see how much the total weight is with all cargo/ belongings. So not having this done before is there a cost at this scales? we also have a scale at the local stone yard here in town that is kinda out of the way and the Cat Scale is right on the way.

bedrck46 · 09-01-2015, 10:43 AM

Read the attached link I think it will give a good idea of cost etc.

http://www.jaycoowners.com/forums/f3...html#post24549

Husker Red · 09-01-2015, 10:59 AM

I weighed out my rig a couple weeks ago at a certified CAT scale. It was something like $12 for the first weigh and then $2 for each one after that. Slight hassle to run back into the store to pay each time, but no big deal.

Bring a long stick to push the "call" button on the scale. It's up high for truckers to reach out of their cabs. I couldn't reach it without a broom handle.
I weighed 3 times: 1) Truck only, 2) Full rig with weight distribution bars unhooked, and 3) full rig with weight distribution bars connected as per normal. The scale has 3 platforms so it weighs your front wheels, drive wheels, and trailer wheels separately. From those 3 passes over the scale you can figure all the important data. I found out my tongue weight was much higher than I previously thought.

Husker Red · 09-01-2015, 11:01 AM

The instructions that bedrck listed above were what I used. Recommended.

Dream Girl · 09-01-2015, 11:14 AM

Prepare yourself for a real hard cold truth, thet CAT scale don't lie.
I too was shocked to find out what was my real tongue weight... ouch!
(more about that in a future thread)

Husker Red · 09-01-2015, 11:28 AM

Yep. I'm still working on my "weight issues." I had 1400 pounds on the tongue, so some rearranging of heavy items is in order. Also did some research and realized my current Curt WD hitch was only a 600 pound version - previous owner had told me it was 1000. I couldn't get enough weight back on the front wheels of the truck with it. Either way, I was way over spec. Ordered a new Blue Ox WD hitch for 1500 pounds so I'm excited for the next trip. I'll do a re-weigh next time we go by that scale.

need-a-vacation · 09-01-2015, 08:28 PM

I actually weigh in the reverse of what Husker posted. 3, 2, then 1 as he has them listed.

One thing I have done the last couple times was to go inside first (good time for a restroom break as well!), and let the attendant know I wanted 3 weighs total for a travel trailer and could I pay for them all after the last weigh. Then when I was hooking the truck back up (remember the reverse order I weighed in!!!) my wife would go back in to pay and get the weigh slips!

Remember to leave the wd bars in the bed when weighing without them, and the hitch in when weighing the truck only as well.

CAT Scale is the easiest even though your local (out of the way scale) may be cheaper. To get all the weights, and to easily figure you tw, axle weights, total weight, etc the CAT Scale is the way to go.

edowsfamily · 09-02-2015, 07:06 AM

Great info here i was only thinking of 1 weight, just the total. but after reading all the input and the link now i have decided to do all 3 weights. again thanks

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