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tuffr2 · 06-17-2013, 09:49 AM

Ok - I guess I should have known better. I read that the CAT scales 'call button' is too high to reach from a dually pick-up truck.

But I called the Love's Truckstop and asked if I could reach the call button form a dually puck-up truck and the response was sure I could reach it easy.

So I pull in the middle of the scales no problem. When I see the button 8 feet away and up high. When I got on the running boards and leaned I was still 3 or 4 feet away. Ugh...

Now it gets worse. There is a semi behind me now waiting to use the scale. So I get back in the drivers seat and pull off the scales and turn right (which it wrong).

Now I am blocking truckers coming from the diesel pumps after they fill-up. I think I can pull around a narrow passageway. I get out of the truck and survey the dilemma. I see the forward passageway is block...ugh. But behind me is one trucker back-up spot. I get in the truck and back the 5er w/o an issue into the spot. As I clear the fuel exit area but before I am totally backed up two truckers that were waiting pull out.

After they pull out I pull out and get back in the highway.

This was not a total fail because now I know. Next time I will have a 6 foot long broom handle unless anyone has a better idea.

I did read a post that a long stick was required but the call to Love's lead me to the wrong conclusion.

Live and learn the hard way...my favorite way.

SmokeyWren · 06-17-2013, 10:02 AM

You gave up too easy. I open the window on the driver's door and stand on the window sill. I'm 5'7', but I can reach the call button that way.

jesilvas · 06-17-2013, 06:29 PM

Man, at the CAT scale near us in Nacogdoches, the button is maybe 7ft off the ground, if that.

blang · 06-17-2013, 06:41 PM

Call 'em on the cell phone as you're approaching the scale. Just reaching the button isn't the end of it... you still have to hear them and, depending on how complex your weigh request is, converse further.

RLM4x4 · 06-17-2013, 06:58 PM

I went twice to the truck stop to weigh my truck and camper then went back to weigh just the truck. First time went by myself while pulling the camper. Same thing couldn't reach the button. So I got out of the truck and hit the button . Only thing all my weight was on the front axle scale. Second trip had my wife go. Dropped her off at the door and used cell phones to talk to her and the the scale operator.

tuffr2 · 06-17-2013, 07:14 PM

I bet this button was 10' off the ground. Not only was it too high I was too far to the right as I was in the middle of the scale. Seems I will need to cheat to the left and not drive right down the middle.

JIMNLIN · 06-17-2013, 08:30 PM

I've weighed at Cat scales but most small towns around me have a feed mill or grain elevator or feed store with a single platform scale. The one near me is free and open 24/7.Weighing on a single platform goes quicker if you have another person along to read the scales while you drive the rig on and off for each axle position.