John's excellent Cat Scale adventure

Onyrlef · 07-10-2021, 01:25 PM

After a blowout a last week I wanted to make sure I hadn't exceeded my tires weight limits. I loaded the TM and the TV up like I had it last week and set off for the Cat Scale. Once there I weighed the TM, 3380lbs. TV, 5640lbs with TM on hitch and WDH. So I'm good. Otherwise, I then weighed the TV alone 5260lbs. Tongue weight therefore with WDH is about 380lbs (didn't have the bars on the WDH) If the WDH distributes approximately 42% of the nominal tongue weight then the weight without the WDH (nominal), should be about 650lbs. My receiver hitch (Curt) is rated at 500 lbs., 800 lbs w/ WDH.
The tires are Hartland ST 215-75-R14 "C" rated for 1870 lbs., "N" speed rating (87 mph) on a 3500 lb Dexter torsion axle.
So I'm good. Tongue weight w/ WDH is in the neighborhood of 11-12% of towed vehicle weight so that's all good too.
Btw. too. I carry a 100lb. 12' Kayak on the roof of the TM on rear driver's side and a fully loaded cargo carrier on the rear passenger side. Those were on the TM at the scale.

BaconLover · 07-10-2021, 02:27 PM

Interesting! Thanks for posting. When we first got the TM, we did all the weighing (with different combinations - no one was at the scale, so we were able to go through 3 times quickly), but I would like to try again with a full freshwater tank.

Onyrlef · 07-10-2021, 04:29 PM

The 20 gal adds 167 lbs, the 40 adds 334 lbs, water htr full adds 50 lbs. We haven't yet advanced to that primitive camping status, so we only do semi and full modern. I travel with everything drained. Besides, I'd be at or over the axle weight max with a full load of water. If I had the 5200 lb Dexter axle and 15" tires I'd be good to go though. The new 2720's are so equipped I understand.

**wbmiller3** · 07-12-2021, 06:51 AM

This reminds me that I need to re-do this weighing, since we have a new tow vehicle.

Onyrlef · 07-13-2021, 06:28 AM

Bill, I'm considering switching to a 5200 lb Dexter axle and 15" wheels, is that why you installed a lift kit?

**wbmiller3** · 07-13-2021, 07:31 PM

My 2001 TM came with the 14" wheels.

I was troubled with blowouts, even with obsessive pressure checking and a TPMS.

I put in the lift kit so I could go to 15" wheels and ST225/75R15 tires. I did not change the axle.

It has decreased, but not eliminated, tire troubles. In my latest round of tire purchases, I went with Carlisle Load Range E tires. So far I have not had a problem with the Carlisles (crosses fingers). This fall I will begin changing them out as they age out.