CAT Scale Results

[KCCO]

Made my way to the cat scales before our most recent trip

1st pass with truck only:

Second pass with the weight distribution not connected:


The third pass with truck and trailer and weight distribution connected:



If my math is correct my tongue weight is 1,140 lbs.?

Currently using equalizer hitch - considering switching to Blue Ox to allow for a softer ride. According to this I would need to purchase the 1500 lb. hitch head due to the tongue weight being over 1,000 lbs. I see many folks on here using the 1,000 lb bars on Blue Ox - are you all using the 1,500 lb. hitch head with the 1,000 lb. bars?

[Overloaded]

There is only one hitch. You can interchange bars with Blue Ox.

[SSquared]

The first ticket shows your truck weighs 9020 pounds.

The second ticket shows a total combined weight of 16220, so you trailer weight is 7200. The second ticket also shows your truck axles add up to 9820. That says your tongue weight is 800 pounds (9820 minus 9020).

The second ticket shows that the front axle got lighter by 340 pounds. Then the third ticket shows that the front axle gained back 200 pounds. So your WD hitch has "restored" more than half of the weight transfer.

I used to own a Blue Ox Sway Pro. As I recall, there is only one version of the head. It's basically a 1500 pound head. It accepts any of the Sway Pro bars. Based on 800 pound tongue weight, I'd go with 1000 pound bars.

[rlhendren]

A little bit unrelated, but if one were to use the scales (as opposed to using the measuring tape/fender method) to determine appropriate setup of weight distribution hitch, don't you really only need to weigh the front axle with and without the trailer attached? I know having all three weights gives you additional information that is needed, but in regards to the weight distribution, you could just weigh the front axle, right?

Is my logic correct/incorrect?

[KCCO]

Thanks for the clarification on the Blue Ox!

[AirMiles]

KCCO, Thanks for posting your weight tickets. SSquared nailed the weight calculations. Wow, only 800# tongue weight on a 30' seems low versus my equally heavy 25FB. My next question is how does it feel in crosswinds and traffic?

Before I restored all the steer axle weight on my 25' with blue ox, I felt bow push while being passed and minor cross wind affects. After cranking up the links to restore my full steer axle weight, it now feels rock solid all the time. My Nissan Titan XD manual recommends restoring 100% of steer axle weight, and doing so made a big improvement on my rig.

RLHendren: You are correct that restoring the front axle weight was the critical measurement needed to set up my WDH. But it is good to know all the weights with the three passes to verify that you are not exceeding any ratings on your rig such as individual axle weights, GVWR, GCWR and hitch maximum. Also to verify you are in the 10-15% tongue weight recommendation.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

KCCO, Thanks for posting your weight tickets. SSquared nailed the weight calculations. Wow, only 800# tongue weight on a 30' seems low versus my equally heavy 25FB. My next question is how does it feel in crosswinds and traffic?

Before I restored all the steer axle weight on my 25' with blue ox, I felt bow push while being passed and minor cross wind affects. After cranking up the links to restore my full steer axle weight, it now feels rock solid all the time. My Nissan Titan XD manual recommends restoring 100% of steer axle weight, and doing so made a big improvement on my rig.

RLHendren: You are correct that restoring the front axle weight was the critical measurement needed to set up my WDH. But it is good to know all the weights with the three passes to verify that you are not exceeding any ratings on your rig such as individual axle weights, GVWR, GCWR and hitch maximum. Also to verify you are in the 10-15% tongue weight recommendation.

Just curious how many links you are using on your Blue Ox to restore all the steer axle weight on your truck?

[AirMiles]

Originally Posted by Hans627

Just curious how many links you are using on your Blue Ox to restore all the steer axle weight on your truck?

On my 2017 FC25FB with 2016 Titan XD Diesel with 1000# blue ox bars, I put the 11th link from the loose end of the chain in the latch slot which results in one and one half links showing under the latches when connected.

[KCCO]

Originally Posted by AirMiles

KCCO, Thanks for posting your weight tickets. SSquared nailed the weight calculations. Wow, only 800# tongue weight on a 30' seems low versus my equally heavy 25FB. My next question is how does it feel in crosswinds and traffic?

Before I restored all the steer axle weight on my 25' with blue ox, I felt bow push while being passed and minor cross wind affects. After cranking up the links to restore my full steer axle weight, it now feels rock solid all the time. My Nissan Titan XD manual recommends restoring 100% of steer axle weight, and doing so made a big improvement on my rig.

RLHendren: You are correct that restoring the front axle weight was the critical measurement needed to set up my WDH. But it is good to know all the weights with the three passes to verify that you are not exceeding any ratings on your rig such as individual axle weights, GVWR, GCWR and hitch maximum. Also to verify you are in the 10-15% tongue weight recommendation.

AirMiles - I'm shocked at the exceptionally light tongue weight.....it's actually 100 lbs less than published weight from airstream, and it makes me wonder if the measurement was accurate.

My Blue Ox arrived today and I hope to install it over the weekend and make another pass at the scales - I'll let you know what I find out.

The dealership set up my equalizer with very minimal weight distribution, and I too felt a good bit of bow push while being passed by semis and the like. After adding some additional washers to the setup that has gone away, but the steering still feels just a touch light. In addition, the camper sits just a little bit tongue low and the ride just isn't the best.