Posted 2007-11-29 9:41 PM (#72090 - in reply to #72085) Subject: RE: How do I find out how much my trailer weighs?
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
If you have no manufacturer's specifications or registration information, you will have to take it to a place that has scales to have it weighed. Not having a registration means that you don't have a plate which could be problematic.
Any business that sells materials in bulk amounts usually has scales, feed stores, construction materials ( sand, gravel etc) Some truck stops or truck inspection stations also have scales. Call a truck repair service and they will probably be able to tell you where to take your rig in your area.
Posted 2007-11-30 6:35 AM (#72103 - in reply to #72085) Subject: RE: How do I find out how much my trailer weighs?
Expert
Posts: 2957
Location: North Carolina
Certified scales at a truck stop will usually cost about $6 to $8. Just ask at the counter. The trucker scales have three sections to get the weight of the steer axle, the drive axles, and the trailer. For the trailer alone, you'll have to unhitch the trailer on the scale's trailer section. You can get a fancy certificate showing your truck weight too if you place the truck tires appropriately.
Posted 2007-11-30 10:13 AM (#72125 - in reply to #72085) Subject: RE: How do I find out how much my trailer weighs?
Regular
Posts: 89
Location: Edmonton, AB
Hi Kat,
I took my truck and trailer to one of those highway truck weigh scales and the fellow working there was happy to provide me with a print out of exactly what my truck and trailer weighed together and seperately. He also looked at my tires to see if they were adequate (which they were). There was no charge for this which was also nice.
I have also taken loads of stuff to the dump (they call it a "waste management center" out here). They weigh your truck and trailer before and after you leave to determine the cost you pay for getting rid of junk! Again, a printout is provided so that might be an option for you.
Posted 2007-11-30 6:49 PM (#72166 - in reply to #72145) Subject: RE: How do I find out how much my trailer weighs?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 736
Location: Western WA
Dept of Licensing in my state provided a list of places I could get my trailer weighed, which I had to do to license it since I bought it out of state. I went to a local gravel pit and got it weighed. They obviously do this alot, as they had me pull up on the scales so the rear tires of the the truck were off the scale, then drop the foot on the trailer to take the weight off the truck and get the full weight of the trailer. Was in and out of there in probably 15 minutes. Was a certified scale so the licensing office accepted it for the purpose of licensing the trailer. Since you have an unlicensed trailer, this might be the way to go as to avoid unwanted attention at roadside scales as others have pointed out. The gravel pit doesn't care if your rig is licensed or not.
Posted 2007-12-01 7:29 AM (#72184 - in reply to #72085) Subject: RE: How do I find out how much my trailer weighs?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 362
Location: Allegan, Michigan
Castilow
As a police officer I can tell you at least in Michigan you can drive the trailer to a weigh place as long as you go straight there and straight back. Tell them you are taking it there just to get weighed. But only go straight there and back. But make sure ALL lights work before you go. Wouldn't want you to get a ticket for malfunctioning equipment.
Posted 2007-12-01 2:43 PM (#72202 - in reply to #72085) Subject: RE: How do I find out how much my trailer weighs?
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
mrstaticalmedic
I wish you were the law official in our area. We need a papal dispensation for any "unauthorized" vehicle usage, and are severely punished for non-compliance.
Glad to see there are some reasonable people out there. Keep up the good work.