Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

So here is the question- weighing a trailer with a bathroom scale… (My brother already took the “must be a really BIG bathroomâ€

Don't see why it wouldn't work. I weighed #2 (not done yet) by placing a bthroom scale under one wheel, and a 2x4 under the other wheel(just to keep it level), moved the scale and 2x4 to oposite wheels, then weighed the tongue. I have also weighed my motorcycle and scooter using this same method. I have also weighed #1 with 3 grain scales.

When I did it that weigh (excuse the pun) I came within 15lbs of actual weight when I took it to a scale..
Philip

depends on how big your bathroom is.

I do it that way except also put paving stones under the two points not being weighed at the time, like the scale under one wheel and paving stones under the other and the tongue. The paving stones are about the same thickness as the scale. With just a scale under one wheel for example that side will be a bit higher and the small leaning will transfer some of the weight to the other side, like you were accounting for the side to side numbers being from a slope. I don't know how much the error would be but there should be some.

This is what I use
http://www.caravanshop.com.au/?Nav=Pdt&product_id=10783&category_id=31&sub_category_id=289&

It is similar to the bathroom scale idea and gives a weight within 5% of the actual weight.

Cheers
Paul

BTW - unless your tongue jack is precisely in the center - you will get a slight discrepancy between the left and right side wheel because of the offset of the jack to one side.

Ditto to AZSpyder's advice to use two blocks that are about the same height as the scales, so that all the jack/wheels are kept at about the same height at each weighing. But the error isn't great if the scales are the typical 2" tall.

Andrew

Using a standard bathroom scale(digital for accuracy), it can be done this way.



After weighing the tongue, do the same at each tire. Total the three weights. Should be very close.

To determine how each wheel is loaded as for weight, use a small platform scales and a simple "leverage adapter" (idea spotted on Junkyard Warriors or some such program)

IF distance from "pivot" to pad is "X" and distance from pad to scales is "3X" (three times "x") then if I have 600LBS of wheel weight on pad, then scales should indicate 200LBS... (600 / 3 = 200) .

Also realizing other side of vehicle (wheel) probably need to be same height off floor as "pad" on leverage bar to provide even distribution... Of course two scales and two adapter would be better.....




There is also someplace on I-net a construction article on taking a standard hydraulic jack, adding a pressure gauge to the pressure port and using diameter of ram (sq inches and pressure indicated on gauge) and by working the magic formula it will give you the weigh jack is supporting, pretty much same as instrument (jack with pressure gauge) in one of the above posts....

Would hunt article down but I am suffering from a pinched nerve in shoulder and sitting here typing is killing me...

Dale

I used the bathroom scale and lever method as well. Rose comes in at about 1300lbs.

I did raise eyebrows when I mentioned to folks, including other engineers, i had used the bathroom scale.