Weight bias

[cruiserdan]

In the quest for knowledge, I have made a few pilgrimages to the truckstop scales to see how fat my emerald beauty is in it's "current" configuration. I just had an occasion to make a trip to the scales since adding the Slee rear bumper/tire carrier.

Vehicle recap:

Stout Equipment ft bumper with Warn 8k Winch, supercharger, water injection, single battery, Hanna sliders, Garvin rack, Slee rear bumper/tire carrier, 5 OEM steel wheels, 5 GY Wrangler M/T's, drawer setup with recovery gear and kitchen gear, Custom inframe receiver hitch and a full tank of fuel.

Front axle weight: 3,120 LBS

Rear axle weight: 3,120 LBS.

I don't know how I managed to do it but I seem to have a 50/50 bias.

D-

 

[IdahoDoug]

It would be interesting to know what the stock weights were for purposes of adjusting the brake proportioning valve, eh? That's pretty interesting that you're right on the balance. My stock Montero/Pajero was very close to it - 51% front, 49% rear. Anyone know what theirs is stock?

DougM

 

[MTNRAT]

Cdan, ya gotta turn it around to get the other end.
Cheers,
Sean

 

[cruiserdan]

Agreed,

It would be valuable to have a "stock" vehicle weighed to see the Bias. It is interesting to note that since my last visit to the scales the over-all vehicle weight increased by 200 lbs but the front axle weight dropped 80 pounds. I imagine that is a result of adding the bumper and carrier to the back and moving the spare tire further back, therefore "lifting" the front end a bit.

 

[turbocruiser]

It really would be interesting to see what a stock truck's weight distribution is. Based on this information, if someone really wanted to, someone could really think through in advance not only what mods they want for the future (bumpers, swing out tire setups, winches) but also what other mods would help equalize the weight distribution. It would help with placement of spares tires as well as spare parts for trail repairs. It would help with adjustment of the brake proportioning valve. And it would even help with things like tire pressure and shock selection. This would be really interesting - perhaps someone with a totally stock cruiser could go to the landscape supply or wherever there is a scale and see what the ratio is!?! Now that I think about it, just for grins and giggles, I think I'll go to one to see what the ratio is on my ride with what I have on now ... who knows, maybe I can tell the wife that we MUST add a winch to balance the vehicle!!! Take care.

 

[FJ809496TLC]

MY '96 is a stocker. I will try to find a truck stop close by to find out and add this to my "Things To Do" list. Could be a good source for info later on.

 

[cruiserdan]

Be sure to select a scale that has individual plates to measure the "steering" tires and the "drivers". Scales at truckstops are of this type. Vehicle placement on the scale is important to get accurate measures of indivdual axles. You can also get trailer axle weights on this type of scale.
In most cases you can talk to the "fuel desk" on the CB when you approach the scale and you can ask for assistance in placing your "steering tires" on the correct plate.
You will be asked what company and truck number you are. You can respond "private vehicle" and give a number if you wish. They will print out a sheet with the weights on it and vehicle info. It usually costs around 7 bucks or so.

D-

 

[landtoy80]

Hay, I was just thinking of weighing my 80 this morning while driving my semi
I think I spend way tooooo much time on here. Its getting to the point I can read the posts without even have a computer :-\
I have access to a scale for free but its 37 mi away. The truck stop 1 mi away. I need to do the math to see which is cheaper to do.

 

[cruiserdan]

You will get a sheet like this. In this case the form was not loaded into the printer correctly but the info is there.

 

[e9999]

can one use these scales you see on the side of public roads, that seem like some sort of gov't facility and say that all trucks must use them when open?
cost?
any chance they'll impound your vehicle cuz of some imaginary violation? :-\

(always wanted to try but never dared to...)E

 

[landtoy80]

[quote author=e9999 link=board=2;threadid=11141;start=msg100972#msg100972 date=1076174282]
can one use these scales you see on the side of public roads, that seem like some sort of gov't facility and say that all trucks must use them when open?
cost?
any chance they'll impound your vehicle cuz of some imaginary violation? :-\

(always wanted to try but never dared to...)E
[/quote]

I try to avoid them at all cost or it will cost me $$$
When you do try it, make sure you have your Log Book with you

 

[e9999]

would that be the logbook where one keeps track of how many Birfs have been put on the truck?

(IFS) Eric

[btw, do experienced truckers all have maps with these scale things highlighted and detours all planned out? just curious... hmmm... could put them on the Nav Sys, eh?]

 

[landtoy80]

The truck atlas has all scales marked on the map for easy viewing.
You have to find your own detour. If there was a detour map the DOT dude would keep an eye on it.

 

[97 FZJ80]

Stock weight distribution is 52/48

John

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

I've always wondered about using government scales as well - maybe in some places if it's open and not busy they may do it on a lark - otherwise I would imagine they would be quite pissed, as would the truckers behind you!

I once found a 'government' scale seemingly in the middle of nowhere with just the scale (not per axle and no building) and weighed my old 60. It was a farming area, so maybe for farmers.

Do most truck stops have these types of scales?

Cheers, Hugh

 

[landtoy80]

Most t-stops have them.
CAT scale is the most common.
Most bulk farm supply stores, the ones that have grain silos have scales but they only weigh the whole vehicle.
Just put one axle on, weigh it. Put the other on and weigh it.

 

[alia176]

Dan,

How did you know where to stop the steering wheels? Depending on where you stopped, the biasing could change.

 

[cruiserdan]

The "steering" tires were on the front plate and the "drivers" were on the second plate. As long as there is only one axle on each plate the axle placement is not an issue. Kurt can correct me if this is not true.

 

[Brentbba]

Can't speak to the weight bias, but my stock, empty, '94 weighed in at 5300lbs, so all of Dan's toys have put on about 1000lbs. How's that gas mileage Dan?

 

[cruiserdan]

[quote author=Brentbba link=board=2;threadid=11141;start=msg102593#msg102593 date=1076435603] so all of Dan's toys have put on about 1000lbs. How's that gas mileage Dan?
[/quote]

I get about 10.5 to 11.5 around town, 13.5 to 15 on the road and about 10 towing 3700 lbs and packing a week's worth of camping supplies (and )