Hitch Weight

[Finatik]

Where does one go to get an accurate reading for what the hitch weight with my current set up actually is.

Live in South Orange County, CA if you know of some place close.

[svedspx]

You might try www.catscales.com and see if they have a scale near you. They are usually located at the larger truck stops.

[Finatik]

Would I have the trailer wheels off the scale, unhook the trailer and have just the tounge on the scale to get the proper hitch weight?

[svedspx]

You could do it that way or you could weigh the truck with the trailer attached. And then unhitch the trailer and just weigh the truck alone. The difference in the rear axle weight would be your tongue weight or close to it. Catscales will charge $9 for the first weigh and $1 for the second re-weigh. This way you'll have the weights of both the truck and the trailer to use as reference when loading the trailer.

[tomhole]

The easiest way to accomplish a proper weighing at a truck stop is:

1. Find a truck stop nearby, one with scales that have 3 pads
2. Drive on the scales with the trailer hooked up, but no weight distribution hitch engaged. Put the truck front wheels on the first pad, the truck rear wheels on the second pad, the trailer wheels on the 3rd pad. Then you have to hit the button and yell at the clerk (the button can be hard to reach because it's high up so the truck drivers don't have to lean down to use it). They'll ask for a truck number, just make one up (I use 69 because that's my favorite number).
3. Pull off the scales and unhook the trailer.
4. Take the truck itself over the scales using the same spot as before (front wheels on first pad, back wheels on second pad). Press the button and tell them it is a re-weigh for truck # (whatever you picked). Costs less for a re-weigh.

If this is a travel trailer, you can add a step:

3.5. While on the scales (or pull off if the scales are busy), hook up the WDH and ask for a re-weigh. This will tell you how well your WDH is working.

Lots of great data from this technique. Hitch weight is quickly determined:

TOTAL weight truck (both axles) with trailer and no WDH (this is important)
- TOTAL weight of truck (both axles) without trailer
= hitch weight

If you only use the rear axle weight, you will calculate an inaccurate hitch weight. If you use the weight with the WDH engaged, you will get an inaccurate hitch weight. A lot of folks misunderstand hitch weight and think that reducing the apparent hitch weight by engaging the WDH reduces the actual hitch weight the hitch sees. Not so. Hitch weight is hitch weight. Ditributing it is a good thing, but does not change the rating of your hitch. If your hitch is rated for 1,000 lbs with a WDH, that does NOT mean you can hook up a trailer with 1,200 lbs hitch weight, throw on a good WDH that brings it down to 1,000 lbs "hitch" weight and yer good to go.

An even easier way to get your hitch weight is to buy one of these:



Sherline Trailer Tongue Weight Scales

Easy peasy.

Tom

[Finatik]

Excellent post. Thank you Tom.

[svedspx]

Yeah, I was hoping Tom would jump in on this one.

[TundraBay]

So last time I was at the campground (a few weeks ago) I asked about 12 different campers, at random, if they knew what their weights were. Most said "I don't know", and a few pointed at the weight sticker on the side of their trailer. NONE had weighed their rigs. It was a mix of TTs, small tent trailers, and 5ers.

[Only Toyota for me]

Originally Posted by TundraBay

So last time I was at the campground (a few weeks ago) I asked about 12 different campers, at random, if they knew what their weights were. Most said "I don't know", and a few pointed at the weight sticker on the side of their trailer. NONE had weighed their rigs. It was a mix of TTs, small tent trailers, and 5ers.

I felt better once i knew where i was for ACTUAL weights, vs. just guessing. It's nice to know where you're at, regardless of the numbers.

You should feel better now, don't you? I think you came in 1k lbs lighter than you expected, if i remember right.

Tomhole........your favorite number is 69? I thought you were too old for that for some reason. haha

[Finatik]

I'm going to buy one of those portable little units. My trailer is listed at 5000 shipping weight but with gear, propane and batteries who knows what the actual weight is. I get what I consider too much squat at the back end of the truck.

Keystone Springdale | Floorplans

I have a Reese Dual Cam system and tried both moving the ball angle and a new shank but just don't get the level of the trailer right. It dips at the hitch about an inch too much (IMO) which is significant when going in and out of driveways. I would rather have the skid bars (with added roller wheels) take the hit but a recent trip I tore off one of the levelers in the front.

Once I get the hitch weight right I may pull the longer shank out again and see if I can't get the trailer level and not have so much dip. It just seemed that turning the current shank over was too much. I was considering the air bag approach but I think first things first. I've pulled with the current configuration up mountains to 8000' with no problem but just want it dialed in. I hate the rear squat effect.

[3R!K@]

hitches must be a specialty of u-haul i was having trouble with a hitch that was installed else where and it kept coming loose!! (bummer) jk . . . but i went to u-haul and asked them a lot of questions and ended up getting a brand new hitch installed and returned the other one! i've had no issues with the hitch ever since check out their website or give them a call i know they'll answer your questions and give you good suggestions!!

[Rex Wayne]

You can check your trailer's tongue weight at home, with your bathroom scale .... and it will be dead accurate..
(remember the fulcrum from your science class in school?)

Tongue Weight Scale

Rex