|
10-25-2016, 09:04 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 120
|
Silly question regarding weighing
I have an opportunity to buy a single wheel scale at a great price and it not only works, but it seems accurate. It is rated for up to 10000 pounds.
My question is this, if I take my RV on a flat surface and individually weigh each wheel (this scale is not much more than 1.5" in height), and keep tabs for each wheel, can anyone think of a reason this would not reflect an accurate weight per corner?
I know this is silly, but I would like to weigh as I depart for each trip. No close by scales and the price of gas saved would pay for this scale in a few months.
I have a 2016 Suncruiser 38Q (no tag axle and no toad yet). Thanks in advance for your input.
__________________
In the fields of observation, chance favors only the well caffeinated mind.
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
10-25-2016, 09:54 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Solo Rvers Club
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 1,831
|
When I had my coach weighed at Escapees they had 2 scales and always weighed both sides of an axle together. They did not seem concerned that the front - rear height was off by the height of the scales under one axle. However recall that the scales they use are MUCH LESS than 1.5 inches thick, more like 0.5 inch thick for the part you drove up onto.
I would make at least 1.5 inch thick wooden pad a similar size to the scale out of sandwiched 3/4 inch plywood. You can try it with and without the pad and let us know how much difference 1.5 inch out of level makes on your axle weights.
__________________
Randy - Manhattan, Kansas
2015 Vista 27N
2020 Ford Escape Hybrid
|
|
|
10-25-2016, 10:53 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Freightliner Owners Club Retired Fire Service RVer's
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: N E Ohio
Posts: 4,403
|
Good thinking Randy, you must have read my mind, lol, I was just thinking that a piece of 2x8 or 2x10 would do the same thing. I don't think a 1/4" or so would make much difference.
Frank
__________________
05 Alfa Gold 40' Motor Home "Goldie",
03 Malibu Toad
in a 24' CargoMate trailer.
|
|
|
10-26-2016, 04:22 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Upper Right Ohio.. or?
Posts: 447
|
scale and leveling block needs to be level to each other... but will work.
so will One Axle at a time... just keep the rig from tilting to much front to back.
but under 2 inches should not be a problem.
__________________
2012 Ford F 250,"XL" 6.2L Gas, 2 wheel drive. 156,000 miles
2005 Coachmen 29FKCS, Front Kitchen... 2005 Honda VTX1800F, 78,000 miles
N.E. Ohio in the Spring, Summer, Autumn.
|
|
|
10-26-2016, 06:52 AM
|
#5
|
Community Moderator
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Central, Arkansas
Posts: 11,202
|
Yes the other wheels should be leveled using blocks but as long as it is close it will be relatively accurate. No matter how level it is it won't be as accurate as a full scale. A scale would be fun to play with I guess but it is not needed just pay once and have it weighed that's all you need.
__________________
2004 Beaver Monterey Laguna IV
Cummins ISC 350HP Allison 3000 6 speed
2020 Chevy Equinox Premier 2.0t 9 speed AWD
|
|
|
10-26-2016, 06:58 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DFW, Tex-US
Posts: 6,196
|
I'm not sure weights each time I go out are a good investment in my vacation time
What you will probably find, as I have, is that multiple weigh-ings tend to be close unless you make a MAJOR change in your RV...
__________________
'11 Monaco Diplomat 43DFT RR10R pushed by a '14 Jeep Wrangler JKU. History.. 5'ers: 13 Redwood 38gk(junk!), 11 MVP Destiny, Open Range TT, Winn LeSharo, C's, popups, vans, tents...
|
|
|
10-26-2016, 07:34 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by JohnBoyToo
I'm not sure weights each time I go out are a good investment in my vacation time
What you will probably find, as I have, is that multiple weigh-ings tend to be close unless you make a MAJOR change in your RV...
|
Agree. I can't see myself checking weight often, much less every time I travel. If I substantially change what I am carting around or major rearrange storage compartments, only then do I recheck weight distribution.
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
|
|
|
10-26-2016, 07:54 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ON THE ROAD...SOMEWHERE
Posts: 6,973
|
As long as you are a flat surface I wouldn't waste time putting blocks under wheels on the other side of the axle. Why do I say that?
IMHO, and maybe scientifically challenged mind, The extra 1.5" under one wheel would be a very small factor and would probably cause that wheel to weigh VERY SLIGHTLY heavier than the other side of the same axle. Assuming I'm correct, that would actually add a VERY SMALL safety factor in calculating loading and tire pressure needs.
If you aren't on a flat surface then no matter what you do, you will introduce some kind of error. BTW, I'm as "picky" as anyone on weight and balance.
__________________
Don, Sandee & GSD Zeus. Guardian GSDs Gunny (7/11/15) & Thor (5/5/15)
2006 2015 DSDP 4320 4369, FL Chassis, 2013 CR-V 2020 Jeep Overland, Blue Ox Avail, SMI AF1.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
|
|
|
10-26-2016, 01:04 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 19,637
|
As full-timers we carried everything we own/needed with us. Weighing wasn't an obsession with us but we did weigh when we first took off and again, 7 years later. There was basically very, very little change.
Interesting, although we weren't overweight, one corner was a little heavier than the others. It was where we stored the fly fishing equipment - you know....'dry' flies and such!
__________________
Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
|
|
|
10-26-2016, 02:46 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club Spartan Chassis
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ON THE ROAD...SOMEWHERE
Posts: 6,973
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sky_Boss
...
IMHO, and maybe scientifically challenged mind, The extra 1.5" under one wheel would be a very small factor and would probably cause that wheel to weigh VERY SLIGHTLY heavier than the other side of the same axle. ...
|
Just to clarify...
What I meant was that the wheel on the scale might weigh slightly heavier in comparison if the other side of the axle is blocked.
I knew what I meant.
__________________
Don, Sandee & GSD Zeus. Guardian GSDs Gunny (7/11/15) & Thor (5/5/15)
2006 2015 DSDP 4320 4369, FL Chassis, 2013 CR-V 2020 Jeep Overland, Blue Ox Avail, SMI AF1.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
|
|
|
10-26-2016, 10:26 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 120
|
Thanks for all the input. I agree that the weight probably will not change that much and I bet I won't keep it up, but for the relatively small amount of money I can get this scale for, it should be worth it. Everyone needs a new toy now and again!
I am really curious to see how things measure up.
__________________
In the fields of observation, chance favors only the well caffeinated mind.
|
|
|
11-01-2016, 04:18 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: San Jose, Ca, USA
Posts: 2,691
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sky_Boss
Just to clarify...
What I meant was that the wheel on the scale might weigh slightly heavier in comparison if the other side of the axle is blocked.
I knew what I meant.
|
An inch or so might not be a problem, but looking at it theoretically, if you raise one end of an axle then the center of gravity will shift towards the low end of the axle. On an 8 foot axle an inch won't make enough of a difference to worry about - you might see a few pounds difference but certainly not a significant amount when the axle is carrying thousands of pounds.
__________________
Alan Hepburn - San Jose, Ca
2007 Bounder 35E being pushed by a 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport S or a 2022 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (JLU) Sport S
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|