Using onboard scales to measure trailer tongue weight?

[donalddon]

can you use the onboard scales to measure trailer tongue weight?

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[TaxmanHog]

can you use the onboard scales to measure trailer tongue weight?

I suspect that you could, but the scale graphic is all you have to go by, there is no numeric readout for the load in the bed or tongue.

 

[The Weatherman]

You would need to check the scales before hooking up and then do the math after you attach the trailer.

 

[RickLightning]

It is designed for exactly that. https://www.ford.com/support/vehicl...eo-library/more-vehicle-topics/6317817862112/

Caveat: I have not used it for that. I found that to use the scales option, you have to leave the truck on, while loading it, to get a weight.

I also have not validated that the taillight lights work as they show, suspect we don't have that.

They have also removed from FordPass any Lightning-specific features.

 

[TaxmanHog]

For precise measurements one of these would be ideal.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Weigh-Safe-Universal-WS4-2-KA-Class-4-Adjustable-Receivers/529159509

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Weigh-Sa...op-Class-V-Trailer-Hitch-Ball-Mount/871766767

 

[Texas Dan]

All you really need is a tape measure. Spring depression is linear. All you have to do is calibrate the depression and you will always be able to calculate load and tongue weight.

Does anyone know what the depression of the Lightning based on load is?

 

[MM in SouthTX]

Texas Dan's method works once you calibrate as long as you don't have heavy stuff in the bed or back seat.

When I had to balance a heavy boat on a new trailer, I took it to a truck stop with scales. Weigh the boat on the hitch, then off the hitch, with jack stand on the scale. The difference is tongue weight.

 

[Yellow Buddy]

For precise measurements one of these would be ideal.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Weigh-Safe-Universal-WS4-2-KA-Class-4-Adjustable-Receivers/529159509

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Weigh-Sa...op-Class-V-Trailer-Hitch-Ball-Mount/871766767

Late to the thread but wanted to inform folks on here.

I have a bunch of Weigh Safe products and went with their WDH. I had a decent discrepancy on one of my CAT weigh ins and decided to reach out to them. After going back and forth with the numbers they acknowledged my calculations were correct and that their scales can be off by as much as 120lbs.

It’s a relatively small number, but some folks may be dealing with tight tolerances. Some probably don’t care but I’d venture to say if you’re going to pay the premium for weigh safe, you probably want to be as close as possible.

Bed scales, weigh safe, are good in a pinch. But I still prefer to go weigh in if I’m going far with a big load.