Sherline Trailer Tongue Scale

[Trak Ratt]

Been trying to position the SC on the trailer with a fully loaded (for the track) truck. Unfortunately I built the tyre rack for the ’31 car and now it’s to low for a front-loaded 911. No problem really, I’ll just back the SC onto the trailer for now. But I’ll likely end up raising the tyre rack a few inches.

The good news is that the balancing will be much easier with my most recent present from my wife, a Sherline Trailer Tongue Scale. Much better than just guessing. Available for use by trailer equipped Dorkis :)

[TD in DC]

Been trying to position the SC on the trailer with a fully loaded (for the track) truck. Unfortunately I built the tyre rack for the ’31 car and now it’s to low for a front-loaded 911. No problem really, I’ll just back the SC onto the trailer for now. But I’ll likely end up raising the tyre rack a few inches.

The good news is that the balancing will be much easier with my most recent present from my wife, a Sherline Trailer Tongue Scale. Much better than just guessing. Available for use by trailer equipped Dorkis :)

Wow DR, I seriously wouldn't mind using that.

[AznDrgn]

Man you always get the best presents from your wife. I need to find a girlfriend who is as car understanding and tool knowlegable as your wife.

[Rick V]

Good deal. It's nice to have a wife who understands and gets along with. Ask me how I know. (you don't need to it's just an expression)

[cmartin]

Great idea, sign me up!

[Trak Ratt]

I’m taking it to MO with me but if anyone wants to use it now just say the word. About the size of a small bottle jack.

Minimal Directions; load your tow vehicle up ready to go, hookup and load trailer ready to go but don’t tighten the tie downs. Measure the trailer ball socket height. Block the trailer tyres (front and rear). Place something under rear trailer cross member (in case you have negative tongue weight ) “Unhook vehicle, adjust trailer height to just above height when hooked up, place scale under ball socket, lower trailer onto scale. Adjust car forward of reward as needed to achieve desired tongue weight. Be sure to mark where the car sits on the trailer.



Single Axel 10% minimum – 15% maximum

Tandem Axel 9% to 15%

Travel trailer 11% to 12%

5th wheel 15% to 25%

[Trak Ratt]

Took the truck and empty trailer (spare tyre on rack) over to the base this morning and weighted them together. Then just the truck. 6700 gross, truck (including driver and dog, full tank of gas) 5140. Looks like trailer comes in at 1560 lbs. It’s a 15’ open deck, steel trailer with a simple but sturdy tyre rack. Coupe is 2580 with a full tank of gas. Rains about 160. Total loaded trailer ~4300 lb. Using the info from the scale website tongue weight should be 9% to 15% or 387 to 645 lbs.

With the SC backed to within about 4 inches of the tyre rack I get about 220 lbs on the ball at loaded ride height. Though well short of the target I have a storage box and racks for 4 – 6 gas cans yet to mount on the tongue. I did load the box and truck with most of what we will take to MO. Box was set back against tailgate.

Should be OK for MO, very OK after the next round of upgrades. Likely wont worry about using aluminum for the racks either. I’m deferring my decision to raise the tyre rack until after that too.
I’ll have the scale with me at MO but it is available before then too if needed.