1st Tow and Scale Weight Question

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Did the first tow today. Volunteered to tow a car trailer with my brothers Jeep on it from Bend to Medford, Oregon, about 200 miles one way. Averaged about 15 MPG loaded and 18 MPG returning minus the trailer and Jeep. This route starts at about 300 feet goes to 6000 feet twice and then drops down to about 500 feet on the out leg and return is just the opposite. No four lane, all two lane and had snow and ice in several spots. It was cool both ways, got down to about 15° F at 6000 feet on the out leg, and most of the return leg was below freezing too.

I ran over a truck scale weighing the front axle at 4250, the rear axle at 4550 and the trailer (with Jeep) at 4550 for a total loaded weight of 13350. This was with two people on board and down about 18 gallons of fuel. Empty I got front of 4750 and rear of 3600 for a total of 8350 with 3 people and a full load of fuel on board.

This was a single axle scale at a closed DOT weigh station. Can you get accurate weights the way I did this, one axle at a time or do you need to have a whole vehicle scale to get an accurate full vehicle weight? Of course my brother and I had to disagree, gave us something to argue about. I seem kind of heavy empty, but I do have an aluminum bed rather than the stocker.

Any thoughts?

Shelby

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2001 2500 QC LB 4WD, ETH, DEE, 3. 54 gears, Laramie SLT, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Travel Convenience Group, Power Driver Seat, Alarm System, Remote Keyless Entry, Fog Lamps, Cab Clearance Lamps, HD Transfer Case, Bright White with a Gray Interior. Took delivery on 10-06-00. Coming soon: E-Brake and a custom aluminum work body / flat bed.

[This message has been edited by Surveyor Shelby (edited 11-12-2000). ]

 

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single axle scales are the best way to weigh as you know how your load is distibuted. if you have doubts about the accuracy of the scale go to a truck stop and weigh the truck on a certified scale and compair.
my truck weighs 7580. see sig

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2K, 2500,Laramie,Quad,4x4,3:54LSD,auto,reese 15k 5th slider, EISLEY BULL BAR,WESTIN NERFS, TA's,9000's, DD1's, VA(psd racing only), BD boost & elbow, ISSPRO pyro & boost, JARDINE 4", DTT VB,TC and COOLER, PAC BRAKE, MAG HYTECH, onboard.
pullee #1 26' Arctic Fox 5th
#2 22' car hauler w/ 76 Pinto 392cid or 68 Cyclone GT Cobra Jet FB
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I agree that you are going to come up with tour total GVW by adding each axel at a time. I weighed a motor home this way (one axel at a time) then weighed the whole rig and it was the same.

 

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As you may have noticed all your weights ended in 50 - this is because The ODOT scales round up to the nearest 50 so if your front axle was 4210 it would read 4250. My 99 Quad cab has fit on all the ODOT scales so far and have been right on if you add the front and rears together or the peacup as a whole.

As a reference my 99 is similar and weighs front 4200/rear 2650 with little ole me and full tank of fuel.

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4-sale or Trade
'99, 3/4, QC, SLT, 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 3. 5xlsd, tow pac, HD tcase, tow mirrors, camper pac, White over driftwood, Mist gray interior. With less than 19,500 miles.

Martin Allen Bursell (posted per guidlines)
TDR# 25d286 (posted so they can cancel my subscription easier/faster)

 

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Thanks guys. BTW, I came down on the side of the individual axle weights would add to the total.

BV, Yea I know the ODOT scales only read to 50 pounds. My brother jumped out and I lost 150 pounds. Not sure of his weight, but I would guess a "heavy" 200.

I guess my bed and gear must weigh more than I thought. Looks like I may be at or above the 8800 GVW when I get all my tools in the bed. No wonder milage seems to have dropped a bit with the bed. Not only am I pushing more wind, I am packing more weight too.

Shelby