Cat Scale R8S

[dsthomas]

So we picked up our new R8 surf from the dealer today. Full tank of gas. Thought I’d stop off at the cat scale and weigh it. Cobalt says dry weight of the R8S is 6700 lbs. I have a BoatMate trailer and they say it weights 2,100 lbs. I had 80 gallons of gas which I figured 500 lbs. Anyway I was expecting at least 9,300 lbs on the trailer axle. I was surprised to see 8,680 lbs. My boat is optioned out with the VP 380, only thing I don’t have is the windless anchor. Just thought this was interesting to see such a light number. Would the cat scale be off by 600 to 700 pounds??? The only thing I can think of is that the missing 600 to 700 lbs is accounted for in the tongue weight and would show up on the drive axle? Thinking about going up for a re-weigh tomorrow with just the truck and see what the rear axle comes in at.

[Titaniumboy]

he only thing I can think of is that the missing 600 to 700 lbs is accounted for in the tongue weight and would show up on the drive axle? Thinking about going up for a re-weigh tomorrow with just the truck and see what the rear axle comes in at.

I think you are correct that the missing weight is the tongue weight.

What I have done in the past is weigh the trailer axle like you have done. But then I position the trailer on the scale so that just the trailer axle and the trailer jack is on the scale, then I lower the jack and lift the trailer hitch off of the truck tow ball. Now the scale is measuring the complete weight of the trailer and boat.

The difference between the full boat/trailer weight and just the trailer axle weight is your tongue weight.

[Snowman8]

That what I did when I weighed our R5. I drove the truck off the scale and put the jack down enough to get the entire weight of the boat and trailer. My R5 with a half tank of gas was 6800lbs on my old EZ Loader trailer.

[dsthomas]

Thanks guys, I thought of doing that but it was a little busy and I didn’t want to get in the way of anyone trying to make a living while I was playing with my toys. I may run up their and try that on slow day. Thanks for the response.

[Boater4life]

As the scales are routinely checked for accuracy, you can be pretty confident. Truck drivers must have accurate readings.

[bruceb58]

Buy a Sherline scale and weigh your tongue or just drive your truck on there without the boat hooked up