CAT Scale Weight Of Our Airstream RV

CAT Scale Weight Of Our Airstream RV . In Episode 41 of Luv Subbin we weigh our Airstream RV Rig at a C.A.T. scale in Carlisle, PA. It was super-easy and should be a part of everyone's RV safety check.
MUSIC by: www.epidemicsound.com/
Main Title: "Dreamcatcher 5" by Bjorn Skogsberg
Background: "Silk Road caravan" by Constellate
IN THIS EPISODE:
C.A.T. Scales: catscale.com/
GEAR:
Gimbal Stabilizer: www.zhiyun-tech.com/smoothQ
Camera: iPhone X and iPhone 8
Editing Software: Adobe Premiere Elements 2018
COMMUNITY:
New England Airstream Club: newengland.wbcci.net/
Wally Byam Airstream Club: wbcci.org/
SOCIAL MEDIA:
/ luvsubbin
/ luvsubbin
/ luvsubbin
EMAIL:
[e-mail]
#airstream #luvsubbin #catscales
This video was produced by Luv Subbin L.L.C. No part of this video may reproduced, transmitted or stored, using any form or means, except as permitted by the U.S. Copyright Act or by permission of Luv Subbin L.L.C.
Our videos are intended for entertainment purposes and to convey our content and information so people can do research and make their own personal decisions. We are not liable to those that choose to use this video’s content or information.

[@jamesdaley3812]

Great video! You explain everything with great detail and you get your talking points in without a lot of useless information. I have saved this video to pass it on to friends who need this information explained so that anyone can understand it.. Thank you

[@nancyphillips5078]

It would be nice if you could do a video on the next step, which is a critical to ones safety. Having enough tongue weight and how do you know you have transferred enough weight forward to the front of axles of the tow vehicle, so the tires are firmly on the ground. You can measure your set up, but I think weighing is more precise. There are many factors to trailer sway, but tongue weight and transferring weight forward is key in preventing it. Thanks for the short and precise videos.

[@FreeandSimple]

Super helpful! Thanks so much for this video!

[@phoenixgate007]

Going to be towing for the first time and this was very helpful, thanks.

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for the nice comment and good luck on your first tow. Take it slow and you'll do great!

[@lambda4931]

Good info! Thanks.

[@michelesoniat3878]

I appreciate that I will be buying my setup in a couple months. That was nice and informative

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! We weigh ours every year and think it is a good thing to do,, especially considering how easy it is.

[@donaldwright4742]

I will do it this week. thank you.

[@CAL6465]

Thanks for the CAT scale tutorial. It was informative to how easy it is. Keep the videos coming, I'm enjoying them. We just sold our 5th wheel and are currently shopping for an Airstream, about 25 feet long. We'll be visiting the PA RV show soon.

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! And if I can say, I appreciate your KZbin name.

[@CAL6465]

@@LuvSubbin Thank you. Its practical.

[@semperfi210]

Love the Chihuahua Baseball shirt as I am from El Paso originally. Great video. Thank you we are new to the RV life.

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! We loved our time in El Paso - that stadium is beautiful. Good luck with the new RV and we hope to see you down the road...

[@m88driver]

Awesome video, really big help

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks! I'm glad it was useful. I need to do an update where I use the app which I filmed earlier in the year...

[@jward92]

The crab shorts are fire

[@mattfoley4128]

Great vid👍👍

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! It's so easy we weigh ours every year as things change...

[@mikemadden865]

Congrats on that earned shirt! That’s no easy task! Oh yeah, great video too.

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! The West Point Triathlon was super fun. I even beat 3 cadets (though many, many more beat me...)

[@mikemadden865]

Luv Subbin which video do you wear the 140.6 shirt? Oh to be young again.

[@LuvSubbin]

Love it! My training has fallen off recently but I had always dreamed of doing the Lake Placid Iron Man (the 1/2 Marathon there was great!). My new goals are somewhat less ambitious: I want to do a sprint with my Brompton folding bike versus my tri bike...

[@mikemadden865]

Luv Subbin you need to do IMLP! I did it in 2012. Finishing on the oval is a memory maker. The course is great and the fan support on the three bears is awesome. They make you feel like you’re in the Tour de France! You need to do a tri on the folding bike, that will make you a legend! Maybe I need to improve my nutrition with that meatless burger you grilled and get back out there. Keep the videos coming.

[@2lbs1lb]

Ha! I was at Carlisle, PA today and pressed the same 'talk' button. It was purchase day of our TT and the Carlisle, PA Flying J is right up the street from our home. Well done! Thank you for posting this! For reference, it's $12 there today, then $2 for re-weight.

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! Aside from the CAT Scale, we always seek out Flying J's with their dedicated RV pumps...

[@kaygoldberg2962]

@@LuvSubbin Is your Ford gas or diesel? I have just started watching your videos. My husband and I are considering an Airstream and we would also need to get a tow vehicle. Maybe a Ford F150. Thanks.

[@LuvSubbin]

@@kaygoldberg2962 Thanks for watching! Our truck is the gas V-8. The primary reason we chose gas over diesel was financial. Diesel trucks are more expensive initially and the fuel continues to be more expensive throughout the life of the truck. Plus, oil changes are more expensive, you have to add DEF, etc. The upside of diesel is that they can tow huge trailers over any mountain with ease and they'll last 500k miles. The simple fact was that with a smaller trailer we didn't need the tow capacity. We've towed over 9,000' mountain passes out west and the truck never broke a sweat. Properly outfitted, we believe an F-150 is the perfect tow vehicle.

[@mlfreitas4832]

Oh, separate scales. I was wondering.

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks to everyone that has watched and commented on our video. A number of you have asked about checking our trailer's tongue weight. The manual says 400 lbs. but I definitely need to double check that. When I do so, I'm planning on using this method from another great KZbin channel - the Wandering Wagners. Check it out. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pH7SfXRqadGWnbc

[@BrandonWest87]

I know you made this video several years ago and it’s still super helpful today on Aug 2023. I’ve purchased e-trailer’s tongue weight scale and weigh our TT tongue quickly and easily each time before departure to ensure we have our tongue weight on the money. Our TT GVWR is 8k lbs and our TV tongue weight max is 900lbs. I try to keep the tongue weight at 825lbs as best I can. Was a minor expense to get our weights correct in the grand scheme of things. First time I used the tongue scale, our weight was 1175!!! Was an object lesson in weight and safety. Thanks for the video.

[@kathyfarrell9421]

Great video ,very helpful kind of ironic .by wife i are from carlisle only a mile from that flying j. Thanks for the helpful tips. benn a rver for over 23 years. kathy and i have seen a lot of blowouts over the years. they should teach better rv safety when they sell one. thanks again Happy Camping

[@LuvSubbin]

Thank you so much for watching and the nice comment. My brother was stationed at Carlisle Barracks and we had many opportunities to visit. I will be doing a follow up video at some point where I use the CAT Scale App which should make it even easier.

[@2lbs1lb]

Kathy, we are neighbors! New Kingston... :-)

[@mathewmccarthy9848]

West Point? My father-in-law is class of '65. Thank you for your service!

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! My dad was West Point Class of 1964 so he certainly was there at the same time as your father-in-law. The shirt is from the West Point triathlon that I did a few years ago. I'm a Citadel guy as my eyesight prevented me from West Point...

[@mathewmccarthy9848]

@@LuvSubbin WP knows how to keep its graduates involved in the school. Thank you to your Dad for his service!

[@ernieland2480]

Hello again another really good information video! You two are a well of information, and I was wondering or should say I've been told that full time campers never have more then about 300lbs worth of personal gear in their trailer. ( food, clothing, dishes, pots and pans) I thought you would know. Thanks if you know and if not thanks for another enjoyable and enlightening travel tips. I think I weight are luggage just before are snow birding trip this winter.

[@LuvSubbin]

Yes, 300 lbs in about what's in the trailer. Good data...

[@pamandrews2115]

Just curious...what truck are you pulling that with and size of the TT? Looks like a 1/2 ton Ford but not sure. Thanks for the video..just what I was looking for

[@LuvSubbin]

Hi Pam! Thanks for watching. Our tow vehicle is a 2018 Ford F-150 XLT 4X4. The engine is the Coyote V-8 mated to a 10 speed transmission and 3:31 axle ratio. Our trailer is a 2002 22' International AS which weighed 4,660 lbs. We use an Equal-i-zer 4 Point Sway Control hitch. I hope that helps.

[@rush4ever1]

Where did you find your GCVWR? Never seen combined on the door jamb sticker.

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! The GCVWR can be found in your Owner's Manual.

[@nancyphillips5078]

Could you clarify Roger Smith's post, since those additions are part of the total weight?

[@LuvSubbin]

Hi Nancy. I responded to Roger and should help to clarify the situation. Thanks for commenting.

[@brucemontgomery8136]

ty i subscribed

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks so much for watching! We hope our CAT Scale video was useful.

[@justindyck9705]

Awesome video! Question, wouldn’t you have to add your tongue weight to the weight of 4660lbs to get the full weight/gvwr of the trailer itself? I could totally be wrong, but wouldn’t the 4660 just be what’s on the two axles and not include the tongue weight? Thanks I’m advance!

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! You are correct. Most of the tongue weight is transferred to the tow vehicle. My tongue weight is 450 lbs. which I have weighed separately on a Sherline Hitch Scale. In theory, that could mean that my gross weight is 5,110 lbs. which would put me at 110 lbs. over my trailer's GVWR. Right or Wrong, my opinion is that the actual weight on the tires and axles is what's important towing. Just my opinion.

[@justindyck9705]

@@LuvSubbin Thanks for the response! And 110lbs really isn't much. If you were really a stickler about it, that would only be a matter of travelling with 14 less gallons in your fresh tank. I wish I had a CAT scale closer to where I live! It's so beneficial to know exactly what you're working with.

[@carlcarlson3024]

@@LuvSubbin I have a similar situation with my trailer... 4640lb on the trailer axles but I have measured my tongue weight around 500 lb. Hate to be so close to maximum rating but hoping the rating is conservative! Thanks for the video... more folks should weigh their rigs! My gross combined weight is 10540 vs an 11000 max. Too close... think I need to get a truck :-)

[@biologistjim4905]

Great video! Think about wireless mics, the sound would be much better😁

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! We certainly appreciate comments to help us make better videos and you are absolutely correct about the sound quality. This video was shot on an iPhone X. Since then, we've upgraded our main camera to a Canon EOS M6 with an external mic and wind muff. Hopefully that will help.

[@shanereynolds5971]

Theres an app you can use as well, and you don’t even have to leave the truck!

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! Yes, I just recently watched a video from the Wandering Wagners and they demonstrated the use of the app. With my new Equal-i-zer hitch I'm going to do a re-weigh and will definitely use the app.

[@MajTom-wd2yt]

POI...A lot of trailer towing folks have no idea how to use the CAT's to set up the weight distribution,(WD), on their rigs. Our routine... rig loaded for the trip. 1st weight...TV,(tow vehicle) alone. 2nd TV, & trailer no WD, 3rd with MAX WD set, 4th WD set for proper weight returned to the steering axle. "Cloudsplitter" the AS

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! You make excellent points. I just recently switched to an Equal-i-zer 4 Point Sway Control hitch and will do your procedure to properly check the set-up. Maybe a revised video...

[@randyrainwater983]

You should also compare each of your axle weights to the max ratings of your TV.

[@LuvSubbin]

Good point. The front axle was at 3,000 lbs (max specification at 3,400 lbs.) and the rear was at 3,740 lbs. (max specification at 3,800 lbs.) All within specification but I have plans to lighten the load at the rear a little.

[@jiminhayward]

Did you have weight distribution hitch on? Our numbers came out wierd, perhaps we were parked wrong (she told us to pull all the way up). Steer = 6560 ; Drive = 2840 ; Trailer = 2500 I believe the steer is the entire truck and the two others combined is the entire trailer. I have no idead how much each axle has. Our truck has GCWVR = 15K. Each truck axel supports 3.8K.

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching and wow - those numbers are really weird. It almost appears as if you went in the wrong direction. That would make sense with your trailer at 6560, drive at 2840, and steer at 2500. Let me know if you re-weigh and what happens. And yes, I had my weight distribution bars on.

[@mdm40mdm]

Did you fill all your tanks before weighing?

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! The truck's fuel tank was full, the fresh water tank was full, and the two propane tanks were 90% full. We always travel with empty grey and black tanks so those were empty.

[@214steveg]

Did your gross truck weight include the two of you in or out of your truck?

[@LuvSubbin]

Excellent point. I was standing on the front scale but I can't confirm my videographer was. For an accurate weight driver and passengers should be in their normal position. Thanks for watching!

[@kandk920]

So do you have an actual trailer weight? If you don't weigh the vehicle separately, you don't have a true weight of the trailer alone, or am I missing something here?

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! To me, what matters is truly "the rubber on the pavement". Sure, there may be some minor shifts in trailer weight due to the weight distribution hitch but what I am only concerned with is what the tires, axles, and frame see as they roll down the road. The trailer weighed 4,870 lbs. with a 5,000 lbs. GVWR. In theory, even if it weighed 6,000 lbs. after unhitching (which it wouldn't but just for arguments sake) I don't care. What's on the road is what matters in my opinion.

[@vanlifebiker]

You guys were not in the truck when weighed correct? Only 310lbs to spare there which is cutting it close or even possible over. The other thing is axle weight on the truck. Thanks for sharing. I'm educating myself getting ready to do a weigh in soon on a Sprinter build I'm finishing this month HOPEFULLY 😂

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! Cindy was in the truck and I was outside the truck but standing on the scale so our weights were included. I'm close on my rear axle weight (only 90 lbs. below the specification) but I'm OK with that as the rig was loaded as heavy as we would ever get it.

[@vanlifebiker]

@@LuvSubbin Very cool. Just checking you to recheck you 😂 You both stay safe out there. I suffered a little injury which held me up on my build this week. I will be heading to the scales next week on my channel. Guess we'll see if a fully self sustainable Sprinter works out. I even have a washer & dryer so I mean fully self sustainable. Wish me luck. 🙏 Subscribed

[@cah88]

@@LuvSubbin Cindy was filming when the weighmaster said “see you inside” lol stay safe guys

[@robertpowers6727]

Tongue weight is frequently overlooked. Tongue weight is added to the Tow Vehicle GVW. You have to measure with a special scale. My Tundra is right at the GVW when you add the TW of the trailer.

[@LuvSubbin]

Hi Robert! Thanks for watching and excellent comment. My next step is indeed to measure my tongue weight as I have never done so. The manual says 460 lbs. so my trailer is not too heavy but this is a piece of data I need. Additionally, I'll be switching hitches to an Equal-I-zer 4 point so this will aid in the set up.

[@marksinger4415]

Robert Powers I have a tundra and I’m looking to purchase a camper trailer. What size trailer do you tow?

[@Roy-ij1wq]

@@LuvSubbin Couldn't you just go back to the scale and weigh your truck without the trailer and subtract that from the weight you got from scale #1 + scale #2 with the truck connected to get the tongue weight? You could also get an exact weight for the trailer by subtracting the truck weight from the GCW and know how the weight is distributed between the trailer axel and tongue.

[@BrandonWest87]

The typical “rule of thumb” is to do 3 weighs. One with both tow vehicle (TV) and trailer (TT) connected with steer, drive, and trailer axles on each scale platform. A second time with TV drive and steer axles on their own platforms. Finally, a third time with just your TT with the jack down on one platform and the axles on another. These 3 will tell you your GCWR numbers, your TV unladen axle weights (important for calculating weight distribution across steer and drive axles with your weight distributing hitch) and your TT tongue and axle weights.

[@happycamper8354]

Do you weigh your rig with weight distribution system hooked up?

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! I absolutely keep the WD hooked up. I know some people advocate a different procedure where re-weighs are conducted with the WD off. My philosophy is that all that matters to me is what's happening real world where the rubber meets the pavement. For example, say I take the WD off and I'm now over my Rear GAWR. Does that matter if I'm within limits with it hooked up? Just my opinion...

[@happycamper8354]

Ok thanks I agree but wanted to double check... makes sense though about real world Appreciate it ! Up here in Ontario we’re in a stay at order and it’s cold can’t even go snowmobiling ugh !! Bring on the summer

[@rogersmith4962]

Thank you for a very informative video. It would be helpful to know if the weights included a full freshwater tank, full propane tanks, full gas tank and weights of passengers.

[@LuvSubbin]

Hi Roger. Thanks for watching. When I weighed our rig the fresh water tank was full (32 gallons), the black and grey tanks were empty, the two 20 lbs. propane tanks were approximately 75% filled, the truck's 23 gallon fuel tank was full, and the two of us weigh 291 lbs. combined.

[@rogersmith4962]

@@LuvSubbin I'm not surprised you were so thorough! I only asked because the rear axle weight was pretty close to its max. rating. BTW, knowing your combined weight was TMI :-)

[@johnmills837]

Most important is the GVWR of truck not GCWR or the trailer. That truck will go over payload capacity way before GCWR or trailer GVWR. You need to get 3 weighs for your tongue weight calculation.

[@LuvSubbin]

Good point. The GVWR of the truck is 7,050 lbs. and we came in at 6,740 lbs. fully loaded for a 3 month trip so I think we're good but we'll keep an eye on it. Thanks for watching!

[@johnmills837]

@@LuvSubbin What is important to realize your trailer is say 5,200lbs. and you only have 300lbs. of payload capacity in reserve. Your max tow rating is not what Ford says. A 7,000lb. trailer can have a 1,000lb. tongue weight and that would put you over payload and GVWR of your 7,050lb. GVWR truck. Fifthwheelstreet.com has RV tow check app and lots of info.

[@LuvSubbin]

@@johnmills837 Hi John! I'm seriously trying to understand all of this and I appreciate you making me think about it more. My entire rig was on the scales at the same time. The trailer was at 4,660 lbs. and the truck was at 6,740 lbs. Though I have not yet weighed my tongue weight, the manual says 440 lbs. which should be reflected on the truck's GVWR. My trailer axles on the pavement cannot exceed 5,000 lbs. and they don't. The truck cannot exceed 7,050 lbs. and it doesn't. Both the front and rear axles are within weight. The GCVWR is within weight. What am I missing? Thanks and if you can help me understand where I am confused I would appreciate it.

[@johnmills837]

@@LuvSubbin Your not over now. You have 300lbs. reserve payload capacity on the truck. Your truck max trailer is around 9,100lbs. correct. Just saying you'll never be able to tow that weight with only 300lbs. reserve payload capacity loaded the way your truck is. Pay attention to you payload capacity on door pillar that's the most important number.

[@BillUtah]

Luv Subbin John is correct. With your current setup you are right at max with the truck. Once you and your wife sit in the truck that will max out your payload but you are doing well in everything else. All your axle ratings should be good to go! Excellent video! I wish everyone weighed their rig. It would be much better for all of us. (Oh and people slow down!) Take care, Bill in Utah

[@g-man2045]

I did this exercise. Trailer loaded for 3 day weekend, tanks empty X3 Trailer is 2020 27FBHatch Truck 2007 Chevy 2500 diesel 4X4 Crew Cab. Results: Front Axle 4200lbs Rear Axle 4080lbs Weight distribution looking good, Trailer Axles weight 6240lbs AS states max weight trailer 7600 so I'm good there with room to fill Fresh water tank Truck is rated to pull 9800lbs on a ball hitch. GAWR FRT 4670lbs GAWR RR 6084lbs

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! Looks like you've got some good data. I'm looking forward to re-weighing mine as I just got a new Equal-i-zer hitch and want to see if that improves my rear-to-front distribution.

[@frankkiddoc]

How can you get the tongue weight?

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching. I need to get my tongue weight (manual says 400 lbs.) I'm going to comment on my video and link a video to the Wandering Wagners because I think his methodology is a good one.

[@4jp]

You can do it with a normal bathroom scale and maybe a lever setup to keep it under 300 pounds, which is limit for most scales. It is much better to buy a tongue weight scale. They are about $150, but tongue weight is very important as it will affect vehicle handling. If you have different trailers (boat, rv, utility, etc) or variable loading, you might as well just buy the scale and do it the right way. You can also find ball mounts with scales built in.

[@LuvSubbin]

@@4jp Thanks for the info. I just bought a new hitch (Equal-I-zer) as I have never been happy with my Reece. As part of the set up I plan on checking my tongue weight.

[@bigtrucklittlerv7969]

4,560lbs. is trailer axle weight not the GVW of the trailer. It is much heavier. Tongue weight needs to be added to the trailer axle weight.

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! It is certainly on my list to get an actual tongue weight. The manual says 440 lbs. but until I weigh it myself I will use that as only a guide. I have two 2,500 lb. axles and wanted to make sure I was in the ballpark.

[@bigtrucklittlerv7969]

@@LuvSubbin To figure tongue weight 3 weighs are needed. First weigh all loaded and WD bars latched, second weigh unlatch WD bars, third weigh truck loaded alone. CAT charges $1 extra for unlimited reweighs within 24 hours. To calculate tongue weight add truck axle weights hitched WD bars unloaded (front + rear = truck GVW) Subtract from this truck weight scaled alone no trailer. This will give you actual tongue weight. This added too trailer axle scaled weight is GVW of trailer.

[@LuvSubbin]

@@bigtrucklittlerv7969 I watched a video from the Wandering Wagners (a great channel) in which he measured tongue weight by using a bathroom scale with a lever arm and doing the calculations. This was my plan. Any thoughts?

[@bigtrucklittlerv7969]

@@LuvSubbin That would work but it would not show how effective the WD hitch is. Real actual tongue weight is with out WD bars loaded. The difference between bars unloaded and loaded is the weight distributed to the trucks front axle and about 20% to the trailer axles. 3 weighs at the scale required, one with trailer hitched and WD loaded, one with trailer hitched WD bars unloaded and final weigh truck alone loaded to travel. The weigh with the trailer hitched WD unloaded minus the truck alone weight gives you true tongue weight.

[@adam-hd7kg]

Do you know the tongue weight?

[@LuvSubbin]

I need to weigh the tongue weight and not rely on data alone. However, the owner's manual states a tongue weight of 400 lbs.

[@adam-hd7kg]

@@LuvSubbin Thanks for the reply. Love the channel.

[@enterprise59]

Now, un hitch and weigh the truck only, front/rear axles with that cargo an all. You'll be able to tell what your trailers hitch weight is now too

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! Yes, I weigh the truck by itself with all gear and passengers but I do this at our town's dump station to avoid the craziness of hitching/unhitching at a CAT Scale. This is how I get an actual payload weight.

[@daver1942]

If you use the CAT App you do not have to reach the call button and you do not need to go inside to pay or get results. You did not mention rear axle weight ratings. Nor anything about tongue weights. These is can be more important than gross combined weight ratings which personally has no bearing to safety.

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! Sometimes I'm good at tech and sometimes I forget. Next year I'll have the app. The manual says 400 lbs. for the tongue weight but I certainly need to confirm (never have). Front and rear axle weights were within limits. We'll just respectfully disagree on gross combined as I think this is important for stopping power.

[@daver1942]

@@LuvSubbin If all axles are below their documented ratings you will (should depending on maintenance) have the stopping power you need. Save GCWR for bridge crossings. :)

[@marklandman1049]

Looks to me like you compared your measured trailer axle weight (GAWR) 4660 pounds to your allowable trailer gross weight (GVWR). This is not correct practice.

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! You're correct but the answer I was looking for was the practical load placed on my axles and tires. As you say, if I were to dump the trailer off the hitch it would weigh 5,110 lbs. (the hitch weight is 450 lbs.). Hopefully, the video will show folks how easy it is to get an RV rig weighed; something I think only a small percentage of RV'ers do.

[@marklandman1049]

@@LuvSubbin You're giving people incorrect safety information, which is dangerous. Also, no way is your hitch weight that low ... more like 600 pounds I'm sure.

[@LuvSubbin]

@@marklandman1049 First, the hitch weight is 450 lbs. so you are not "sure". It was weighed on a brand new Sherline LM 1000 Trailer Tongue Weight Scale on 27 September 2020. This data is further supported on page I-1 of my owner's manual which states that the tongue weight is 400 lbs. Second, I am using the procedure for weighing a tow vehicle and trailer as per the CAT Scale web page. I will not deviate from their instructions.

[@LuvSubbin]

@@marklandman1049 Also, I was wrong yesterday to state that hitch weight should be included in the GWVR. It should not. The mass of my trailer is 4,660 lbs. and I am within the 5,000 lbs. GVWR. I am safe and I am not giving "dangerous" advice. Think about it: let's repeat the weigh-in only this time I'm going to place a 1,000 lbs. weight on the back bumper of my RV. The mass of the trailer, as properly measured according to the CAT Scale instructions, will increase by 1,000 lbs. to 5,660 lbs. However, my tongue weight is now negative and is actually pulling up on the ball. One would not deduct the 450 lbs. and state that the true mass of my trailer only increased 550 lbs. Tongue weight is a measurement of force not mass.

[@kingsboy48]

Cat scales told me to weigh my SUV unhitched then rig fully hitched.

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! Yes, that's a good way to do it. I had my tow vehicle weighed at our town dump (both empty and fully loaded). Doing it the way they suggest will give you your distributed hitch weight.

[@scotttooher2354]

Nice video but you for got the most important part of weighing a trailer. The tongue weight is as important as all the weights

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! I'll respectfully disagree for a few reasons. Tongue weight is very important when selecting a tow vehicle. After that, it doesn't matter because the weight of the hitch will be entirely transferred to the tow vehicle via a proper weight distribution hitch. If the front and rear axle weights result in a vehicle being under its GVWR and payload capacity, what does it matter if it is 400 lbs. or 1,400 lbs? Secondly, the vast majority of RV'ers never take the time to perform a weigh-in of their rig. One of my goals with this video is to show that all practical information can be obtained in a few seconds on the scale. If I advocated weighing, unhitching, re-weighing, re-hitching all at a busy truck stop, taking 30 minutes, far fewer people would get their rig weighed.

[@scotttooher2354]

@@LuvSubbin We have Motorhome and trailerthe motorhome has been weighed on all four cornoers. when pulling a trailer the tongue weight should be 10 to 15% of total trailer weight otherwise it will be heavy in the rear which can create a major swaying or fish tailing also the force from the tongue to the ball is negative (pulling up on the Ball) instead pushing down on the ball

[@pattyanderson4142]

Please do not put music over voice. Those of us that don't hear very well have a hard time hearing what you are saying.

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching and the constructive comment. We are always trying to improve our videography and will consider your feedback.

[@pakviroti3616]

So, what was your tongue weight? What! You didn't figure out your tongue weight!? You only did half of what is required to accurately weigh your rig. You're supposed weigh the truck by itself, then weigh the truck & trailer. Then use this formula: (gross_combined_weight *minus* gross_truck_weight) = some_number *minus* trailer_axle_weight = tongue weight.

[@LuvSubbin]

Thanks for watching! Two points. First, one of my objectives with this video is to show RV'ers how easy it is to weigh your rig on a C.A.T. Scale to ensure your rig is safely set up. Many RV'ers will be turned off if they have to not only weigh their rig but also unhitch, re-weigh-, and then re-hitch - all at a busy truck stop. In other words, don't let "Perfect" be the enemy of "Better". Second, if your truck's GVWR, Front GAWR, Rear GAWR, Trailer GVWR, and the rig's GCWR are all within specification, who care's whether the hitch weight is 1 lb. or 1,000 lbs? Hitch weight only matters when properly sizing the hitch to the trailer and perhaps when estimating available payload capacity when buying the tow vehicle. BTW, I separately weighed my tongue weight on a Sherline Tongue Scale and it came out to 450 lbs. but I have no use for that number If you have a reason as to why that number would be important to me, I would be interested.

[@pakviroti3616]

@@LuvSubbin Well, that all sounds nice, but as a former trucker and long time RV'er, tongue weight is crucial. And I will tell you why. I just started pulling a new RPOD RP-190 and was expecting ~400 pounds of tongue weight fully loaded, in reality it turned out to be a little over 500 pounds, that was still under my max. However, I didn't have everything I plan to carry in either the truck or the trailer. You can be well under your GAWR and still exceed TW. The number is important because you can exceed that number without realizing it and over stress your hitch and frame. If an RV'er is turned off by having to pay a little extra for a re-weigh to have all of the info they should have, well, Murphy lurks in the shadows. BTW, I'm a retired OTR truck driver, so I have a few million miles more experience pulling things than you do.