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Topic Closedtongue weight

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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: tongue weight
    Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 6:37pm
Yes angle iron will work. Even aluminum (aluminium? Wink) will work if stout enough. The important part is only a thin knife edge contact perpendicular to the 2x4. BTW, there are lots of us engineer types hangin' around. 
Charlie
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 7:54pm
Okay, I have a question. What is the best way to place the scale and brick to weigh the R-Pod? I tried it using blocks to elevate the scale and wood platform on which I used angle iron to support my beam and placed it directly under the socket where the hitch ball goes. I've also seen it where people leave the scale on the ground and set the jack's foot down on the beam. Given that the foot is behind the hitch socket, there is probably a slight inaccuracy introduced by using the jack foot, but is it significant enough to make the weight too inaccurate to use?
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 9:25pm
OK. We're really down in the weeds now. The difference between measured weight at the jack vs at the ball is small compared to the variances expected with other variables such as water in the tanks, propane in the bottles, bikes on the bumper and other stuff in the trailer, but here's the math.

If P = the weight measured at the jack, L = the distance from the jack to the axle, and M = the distance from the jack to the ball then the true weight W at the ball is;

                             W=PL/(L+M)

For example if P=300#, L=(14'x12)=168" and M=9" then:

               W=300x168/(168+9)=300x168/177=285#.

That's about 5% which is well within the accuracy of the method and other variables listed above so measure at either point, call it a day, and enjoy your camper. Camp on!
Charlie
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 10:13pm
Thanks. So, if I understand the formula right, as long as the weight at the jack foot is under the hitch weight limit, the actual weight is okay since the actual weight is a smidge less than the weight at the jack. Thanks. I'll take the easy way out and use the jack leg and keep the scale at ground level. Smile
StephenH
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Feb 2017 at 11:01pm
You are correct. Take the easy way out. I have used this method:
  1. Use the jack to raise the tongue
  2. Slip a concrete block or something else under the ball socket
  3. Retract the jack and put the 2x4 (or 4x4) and scale under the jack
  4. Crank the jack down to put the weight on the scale
  5. Record the measurement and reverse the process

Charlie
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jato View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Feb 2017 at 7:10am
Charlie.   (Using your method which I like) The weight you record on the scale is the actual tongue weight correct?  That being so, I don't know if my bathroom scale is meant to handle 300 + lbs or am I missing something here.  Here I am looking at something simple and trying to make it complicated.
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Feb 2017 at 7:46am
Originally posted by jato

Charlie.   (Using your method which I like) The weight you record on the scale is the actual tongue weight correct?  That being so, I don't know if my bathroom scale is meant to handle 300 + lbs or am I missing something here.  Here I am looking at something simple and trying to make it complicated.

Not quite. The weight you measure at the jack is slightly less than the actual weight at the ball but it will be close enough. Depending on the length of you trailer the difference is only a few percent but you can calculate the exact tongue weight as I described earlier in this thread. Note that the actual weight will vary from trip to trip due to variances I listed. If your scale cannot measure more than 300#, and most can’t, you can use the 2x4 and brick method described by Mike Carter (mcarter) earlier in this thread. Using that trick under the jack you will be pretty close to the actual tongue weight at the instant you make the measurement.
Charlie
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Feb 2017 at 8:51am
Okay, I'm a bit confused. In your example above, the weight at the jack (P) was 300 lbs. The result of your formula (W) was 285 lbs. Did you mean the weight at the ball will be slightly less than at the jack?
StephenH
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ouR escaPOD mods
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Feb 2017 at 9:52am
The easy way.. LOL

Sherline tongue scale.




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StephenH View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Feb 2017 at 10:06am
Those scales are about twice the price I want to pay. I picked up a digital scale at my local Re-Store for a couple of bucks. Add to that a couple of bucks for materials, and I will use that for a whole lot less than the $137.95 and up price of the Sherline and other brand models.

I keep looking at my local for sale advertisements to see if I can pick up a used one, but no luck so far.
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

ouR escaPOD mods
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