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Homemade Tire Scale

n0arp
Explorer
Explorer
I'm not really sure what forum this best fits in, so posting it here.

I assembled a 20K tire scale for around $300, which I consider a great tool to have if trying to tune and balance your rig. I use it for my truck, Jeep, truck camper, and fifth wheel, but it could be used for just about anything. And loan it out to friends.

It's built using a "livestock scale kit" with 4x5000lb load cells. The kit vendor is shown on the photos, and cost (at my time of purchase) $229 with free shipping. I used a cheap 1/2-13 tap off Amazon and the included bolts to mount it to a piece of 14x16x3/4" 6061 aluminum plate I purchased from an online metal distributor for around $80.

I calibrated it with 100lbs of dumbells, and have confirmed it reports values in-line with CAT scales at over 6K per tire.

My original setup had the load cells flush with the plate (you can see the old mounting holes in the bottom photo) but I moved them further outboard so I could run the feet up for a lower overall height (around 4.5") and allow for the load cells to fully flex without hitting the plate (which wasn't an issue at the weights I've tested, but might be towards the upper limits - say a class A DP rear). To get the most accurate readings, I've been using Lynx leveling blocks under the other tires so they're all at the same height as the scale. I've also used pairs of those blocks to ease driving on and off of the scale, and yes, you can put duals on it though they'll hang off the side.



2000 Country Coach Magna 40',
4380W solar, 22.8kWh LiFePO4@48V, 450AH AGM@12V
2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 2.0T, cloaked on 37x13.5s
12 REPLIES 12

n0arp
Explorer
Explorer
Just as an update, I actually pulled the threads out that were tapped into the aluminum plate while reweighing something 6-7K, multiple times in a row. I ended up drilling out the holes and bolting all the way through the aluminum plate this time, so weak aluminum threads aren't going to be a failure point.
2000 Country Coach Magna 40',
4380W solar, 22.8kWh LiFePO4@48V, 450AH AGM@12V
2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 2.0T, cloaked on 37x13.5s

fj12ryder
Explorer II
Explorer II
Very nice setup.
Howard and Peggy

"Don't Panic"

Dutch_12078
Explorer
Explorer
That's a neat idea and nice execution! I've used a 20 ton bottle jack with a pounds calibrated pressure gauge for years that I bought for $35 for corner weights. I don't know if anyone still sells them pre-built, but there's several DIY posts online on how to do it.
Dutch
2001 GBM Landau 34' Class A
F53 chassis, Triton V10, TST TPMS
Bigfoot Automatic Leveling System
2011 Toyota RAV4 4WD/Remco pump
ReadyBrute Elite tow bar/Blue Ox baseplate

bucky
Explorer II
Explorer II
This is awesome, the best post of the year. Thanks so much.
Our 5er has got to be way heavy on the road side as everything is on that side. I'd like to know just how heavy. This will do it and at a great price.
Puma 30RKSS

n0arp
Explorer
Explorer
chindog wrote:
I am intrigued by this. Does the 4 x 5000 kit only weigh up to 5,000# in total, or would it report weights up to 20,000#?


5K each, for up to 20K total.



I've tested it with over 6K.
2000 Country Coach Magna 40',
4380W solar, 22.8kWh LiFePO4@48V, 450AH AGM@12V
2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 2.0T, cloaked on 37x13.5s

chindog
Explorer
Explorer
I am intrigued by this. Does the 4 x 5000 kit only weigh up to 5,000# in total, or would it report weights up to 20,000#?
2014 Fleetwood Discovery 40G
2012 Honda CRV toad

RLS7201
Explorer
Explorer
I wonder how much thisTongue weights?
95 Bounder 32H F53 460
2013 CRV Toad
2 Segways in Toad
First brake job
1941 Hudson

Glad you shared it! I'll have to add this to my never ending project list...
This would be great to check the tongue weight on my TT.
2007 GMC 3500 dually ext. cab 4X4 LBZ Dmax/Allison - 2007 Pacific Coachworks Tango 306RLSS
RV Rebuild Website - Site launched Aug 22, 2021 - www.rv-rebuild.com

Lwiddis
Explorer
Explorer
Interesting. Thank you for posting.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad

n0arp
Explorer
Explorer
BobsYourUncle wrote:
Wow!!

That's nothing short of amazing! Very nice work, I'm impressed!

We need a thumbs up smiley for occasions like this.


Thanks! It's a really simple build, and I can't take credit for much of it. It's a relatively cheap way to get unlimited corner weighs though, and I thought it should be shared.
2000 Country Coach Magna 40',
4380W solar, 22.8kWh LiFePO4@48V, 450AH AGM@12V
2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 2.0T, cloaked on 37x13.5s

Wow!!

That's nothing short of amazing! Very nice work, I'm impressed!

We need a thumbs up smiley for occasions like this.
2007 GMC 3500 dually ext. cab 4X4 LBZ Dmax/Allison - 2007 Pacific Coachworks Tango 306RLSS
RV Rebuild Website - Site launched Aug 22, 2021 - www.rv-rebuild.com

coolmom42
Explorer
Explorer
Pretty slick!
Single empty-nester in Middle TN, sometimes with a friend or grandchild on board