What tools do you use to check a tow vehicle and trailer setup?

[RVguy59]

Hi everyone, when you’re checking a truck and trailer combination, what calculators or other resources do you use?
I m especially interested in how you check payload, loaded trailer weight and tongue or pin weight.

I used towcalculators.com to help with those calculations, and I’d like to know how it compares with the tools you already trust. Are there any you’d recommend ?

 

[TheLooks]

Almost no one, and no one I have ever met knows the answers to those questions. It is debated forever in forums but most people that want to be safe just purchase more then enough truck. Everybody else wings it. And boy have I seen some real bad scenario's. And some are dealer/salesmen unethical recommendations. I think every dealer should have a scale and professional rigger before sending anyone out with anything. Unless they(customer) waive it. Law enforcement could push this but I never see a camper pulled over that should be......
I like the calculator but I would have to spend lots of time at a scale and know the weights of everything I might carry. And that changes every trip. My current setup is on the ragged edge and I am constantly changing things to improve it. But I have been towing things for many years and can feel how the tow vehicle and load are working. Nothing like towing in the snow to let you know there's not enough weight on the front wheels.
I expect I will be flamed for this post.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I think that at the least everyone should be required to read and sign a list equal to what that site exposes to drive a trailer off a lot.

Further, I believe every salesman should need to have a condition of employment. A class that teaches this same information with penalties for misrepresenting the information to secure a sale.

However, once you own a rig and know what represents payload, a simple two scale reading when you change loading, is all that is required to travel safely

 

[Rosy]

I think the only tool you really need is a cat scale and maybe a calculator if the numbers are tricky.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I think the only tool you really need is a cat scale and maybe a calculator if the numbers are tricky.

I agree. But still it's important to know what is considered payload.

 

[TheLooks]

I just went thru this this week with my sons FLI. They have no clue whatsoever about loads, of any kind. I have a truck, it has a hitch, they say I can tow it......The best one is he thought the tow rating was the hitch carry rating.

 

[Phillbo]

Payload of the truck is in the door jam. Salesmen lie about it's ability to tow . Advertised tongue weigh (or pin weight if 5th wheel) is always light.

CAT Scale is the true tool but it's too late once you've purchased the trailer.