Weighing your Camplite

[leslie]

When you weighed your Camplite, where did you go to have it done?

[mitch]

Never did but many truck stops have scales

[leslie]

I hope to have my camper this time next week. I want to weigh it before I load it up, so I know what my starting point is. I talked to a lady at a Pilot station that had a CAT scale. She said that weighing the left and right axles separately could be done, but if the wheels are not in the center of the scale, which is difficult to achieve, then the weights might not be accurate.

[timeout]

I don't think CAT scales weigh side to side.  They weigh Steer axle, Drive axle and Trailer Axle.
However, with our small trailers (at least our 14DBS), you will only get weights on the Steer and Drive Axle portions of the scale.
Just drive on the scale and stop near the front. Weigh tow vehicle and trailer (cost should be about $10.00) then go off the scale and drop the trailer.
Within a certain amount of time ( hours) you can get a reweigh for about $2.00.  So, take the tow vehicle back and get the weight.
Subtract the two and you'll have the weight of the trailer.
Then, let everyone know what the trailer actually weighs vs. the factory weight.
Then, when you're loaded for camping do the Cat scale procedure again and be surprised at how much weight you have added.

[leslie]

I will let you know about the weight of the trailer. But I also want to know the individual weights for the the right axle and the left axle. I want to load the trailer carefully, from front to back as well as side to side for optimum towing experience.

It is a hassle, looking for a scale that can do this accurately.

[mitch]

I offer this comment sincerely with no hint of bad intent but I think you're over thinking it.  I can see the getting the total trailer weight  but the right side left side is just overkill.  Load it logically and evenly and you'll be fine.

[aznighthiker]

I used the scale at a landfill and they would let me unhitch the trailer if they were not busy.

[aznighthiker]

I used the scale at a landfill and they would let me unhitch the trailer if they were not busy.

[pinstriper]

Plain old highway scales. One on I-5. Another on OR-99W. They were "closed" but they leave the scale on so you just pull through and read the numbers yourself. I measure three times. Pull just the tv on, come to a stop, take the number. Pull both on (if it all fits), take that number. Pull the tv off and leave the trailer on, take that number.

I've also gone through with just the tv and used that to calculate the tongue weight (+/- a few gallons of gas).

I have yet to pay for a weigh.

[leslie]

Sounds good. I know of 2 closed weigh stationd.

[daplumbr]

I don't have a "closed" weigh station on the local interstates nearby, so when we get the Camplite, I'm going to run out to the local landfill for a trailer weight, after loading/mods. I'm especially interested in tongue weight, and I hope to be able to do that with a heavy duty bathroom scales. 

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/3905/thread" author="@sandroad" timestamp="1411954701"]I don't have a "closed" weigh station on the local interstates nearby, so when we get the Camplite, I'm going to run out to the local landfill for a trailer weight, after loading/mods. I'm especially interested in tongue weight, and I hope to be able to do that with a heavy duty bathroom scales. [/quote][font size="3"]You can weigh at most truck stops. They have CAT scales for $10 a shot. Tongue weight can easily be measured with a standard bathroom scale and 4x4 wooden beam. Easy to do and cost free if you have the scale and a short 4x4.
[/font]

[fasteddieb]

[quote timestamp="1411914279" source="/post/3889/thread" author="@aznighthiker"]I used the scale at a landfill and they would let me unhitch the trailer if they were not busy.[/quote]I have not gotten around to it yet, but my local recycling plant said there would be no charge.

I plan on weighing the whole kit with the Flex, then unhooking and just weighing the Flex.

Will let you know what I find.