Community Forums

Allentc2 · 04-09-2019, 01:22 PM

I've seen a lot of people saying that knowing your vehicle's weight is important to tire pressure and subsequently handling. I'm leaving in just under two weeks to drive up to NY to get my Newmar, can I stop at any weigh station to get weighed? Is there a charge, or does it vary by state?

msturtz · 04-09-2019, 01:28 PM

I don’t know about every state but in Washington and Oregon many times scale display is still functioning even if the weight station is closed. I have weighed my setup many times this way. Keep in mind that the weight may not be correct depending on how your setup is because a lot of them are axle weights only.

Skip426 · 04-09-2019, 01:35 PM

Most highway weigh stations , don't want RVs across the scales .
Best to go to the CAT scales at a truck stop ; you have to pay ; and if you're just picking the rig up , you won't be loaded for travel like you'd be on vacation.
JMHO: Use the GAWRs and the tire manufactures inflation guide , until you can weigh the RV in a loaded for travel situation.

TonyMac · 04-09-2019, 01:42 PM

I believe this is for too often overthought. Sure, weigh the rig to make sure you are not over weight for the GVW, the axle and the tires. And make sure you have the right tires for your rig, with enough carrying capacity. But then, I air up the tires to the placard limit (not the sidewall limit) and call it good.

Sweetbriar · 04-09-2019, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyMac

I believe this is for too often overthought. Sure, weigh the rig to make sure you are not over weight for the GVW, the axle and the tires. And make sure you have the right tires for your rig, with enough carrying capacity. But then, I air up the tires to the placard limit (not the sidewall limit) and call it good.

I do the same. Get the coach weight check in the spring after the winter hibernation and again mid summer when we head out on the two week vacation to ensure I'm under GVWR and GAWR. Tires set to placard numbers.

2002guy · 04-09-2019, 02:10 PM

Here on the west coast as mentioned above the scales are left on when the station is closed I don't know about your state but if the station is open they'll not be happy to see a rv in line. The cat scales will take you but they do charge per weigh but it's not much per pass.

Teamfoxy · 04-09-2019, 02:26 PM

Loaded up and leaving for your trip is not necessarily the best time to weigh. When I had my Class C, I was surprized to learn that while I was within the GVWR, my rear axle was severely overloaded. If you get your rig weighed empty, you know your starting point and can weigh individual items you will be taking and decide on a storage plan. I wound up moving my spare tire from the rear of the coach to the front bumper and came up with a plan to store heavy items forward. I made a spreadsheet to track the effect on the axle loading. The improvement in the way the vehicle handled with the proper loading condition was very noticable. You should of course check your weights when you are in travel loading condition to be sure you are still OK.

KanzKran · 04-09-2019, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allentc2

I'm leaving in just under two weeks to drive up to NY to get my Newmar, can I stop at any weigh station to get weighed? Is there a charge, or does it vary by state?

The state's weigh stations here don't leave the scales on, AFAIK, and they don't want RVs coming through even when they're working. But truck stops with CAT scales want your business, and they're all over the place anyway, so that's your best bet.

CAT scale locator: https://catscale.com/cat-scale-locator/

MCRV Passion · 04-09-2019, 04:56 PM

Use that link for CAT scales, nice systems, only $20-$25 in most areas.

Good idea to get done when you drive home if you can. A Great idea to do so once you load it up with all your travel gear and set up for trips. It gave me confidence to know axle weights and compare to your Newmar coach sticker for max weight.

tmw188 · 04-09-2019, 06:51 PM

Paid mostly around 9-11$ that include the towed too. If you haven’t done it before walk and look at the scales you’ll see separate platforms you want your axles obviously to be on separate platforms. The button to call the attendant can be pretty hard to reach from your window.
Try YouTube it will show you. If buying from a individual ask him what he has done for psi if from a dealer ask them.

tmw188 · 04-09-2019, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allentc2

I've seen a lot of people saying that knowing your vehicle's weight is important to tire pressure and subsequently handling. I'm leaving in just under two weeks to drive up to NY to get my Newmar, can I stop at any weigh station to get weighed? Is there a charge, or does it vary by state?

Is it the coach in your signature? My guess unloaded probably 80-85 but verify.

Dutch Star Don · 04-10-2019, 12:52 AM

"Allentc2"......Newmar does a four corner weigh of every coach they build. They do this to make sure nothing is awry with that particular coach, as they know what every coach corner should weigh.

Even though it's an empty weight, they will email you those numbers. Just email Service and request them. It gives you a good starting point.

Hopefully this will post.....here is a copy of my weights from Newmar.

607408 corner weights.pdf

edge68474 · 04-10-2019, 05:20 AM

In my state, Washington, I got 4 corner weights done at state scales. I called ahead first though. It helps if they are not too busy.

veraken · 04-10-2019, 05:29 AM

To determine what the right tire pressure is for you, you need to weigh your MH. Load your MH as you would for travel, fill you gas and water tanks and then get your MH weighed.

If you can't do 4 corner weighing (which would the best), this is the procedure to follow:

1. Weigh the coach axles
2. Add 5% to account for possible uneven weight side to side.
3. Divide by the number of tires on each axle.
4. Look to tire chart for your brand to find tire pressure.
5. Add 5 psi for safety