CAT Scale How To Guide

Prep checklist before you roll onto the platforms

• Set tire pressures to your usual travel setting
• Fill fuel to your common level
• Load water and propane as you actually camp
• Stow cargo low and between axles when possible
• Secure all cabinets and drawers to prevent shifting

CAT scale how to steps from approach to ticket

• Find the scale at a truck stop or travel plaza. CAT scales are clearly marked and open around the clock at many locations.
• Approach slowly and follow the painted guidance. The first platform is for the steer or front axle, the second for the drive or rear axle, and the third for a trailer axle.
• Stop when each axle is centered on its platform. Ensure nothing hangs off the ends.
• Use the intercom or the CAT Scale app. Provide your truck number if prompted or simply confirm you are ready to weigh.
• Remain still with the brake set while the system captures the measurement.
• Pull forward to the office or use the app to receive the ticket. A reweigh within the time window costs less and is quick.

A reweigh is helpful after you shift gear, adjust a weight distribution hitch, or move water. You can use multiple reweighs to fine tune balance and stay within axle ratings.

Reading the ticket with confidence

• Steer or front axle: This number affects directional stability and braking. Too light can feel vague on center. Too heavy can overload front tires and bearings.
• Drive or rear axle: This number carries most cargo and hitch load. Watch tire and spring capacities.
• Trailer axle: Travel trailers and toy haulers show here. Compare to the axle group rating and tire load range.
• Gross weight: Must be at or below your gross rating.

Compare each axle line to the axle rating on your door label. Then compare the gross line to the gross rating. Both checks must pass.

Applying weights to real world setups

Corner weights are ideal but axle weights still tell a strong story. If the front axle drops far below its rating after a build, steering authority may fade. Shift heavy items forward until the front axle carries an appropriate share. Many vans feel best when the front holds roughly forty five to fifty five percent of total weight, but always stay within rating.

For trailers, measure tongue weight by comparing two tickets. First, weigh the tow vehicle without the trailer. Next, weigh with the trailer attached but only the tow vehicle on the front two platforms and the trailer jack off the scale. The difference on the drive axle reflects tongue load. A stable tow setup often targets ten to fifteen percent of trailer weight on the tongue, but never exceed ratings or tire limits.

If you use a weight distribution hitch, perform a base weigh, apply the bars, then reweigh. The goal is to return some load to the steer axle and reduce the drive axle spike while keeping all values within ratings.

Heavy water, batteries, and tools belong low and near the middle of the wheelbase. That lowers the center of gravity and calms body motions on rough roads. Avoid stacking heavy gear high or all the way at the rear. Even minor moves can change axle numbers by dozens of pounds.

Smart troubleshooting when numbers are off

• Front axle too light: Move dense items forward, reduce rear cargo, adjust hitch to restore steer weight.
• Rear axle over rating: Relocate heavy items forward, lighten rear storage, consider suspension tuning only after mass is moved.
• Gross over rating: Remove nonessential items and reweigh until you are within limits.

Tires, brakes, and pressure planning

Match tire load capacity to measured axle weight. Divide the axle weight by two for a single rear wheel axle to estimate per tire load, or by four for a dual setup. Use the tire maker inflation chart to set pressure for the actual load, then verify with real world heat checks and ride quality. Brakes perform best when the vehicle respects its ratings and the cargo is secured.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Weighing with an unrepresentative load
• Parking with an axle not fully on a platform
• Forgetting to include passengers
• Skipping a reweigh after changes
• Ignoring axle ratings while only watching the gross number

From numbers to a safer, smoother build

Good weight data drives smart build choices. It informs cabinet materials, battery placement, water tank location, and rack selection. With a sound plan, you get a rig that tracks straight in crosswinds, brakes without drama, and keeps tires cool on summer asphalt.

If you are planning a custom adventure van, a scale ticket is the compass for correct layout and component selection. Thoughtful distribution will reduce sway, limit porpoising, and protect bearings and bushings over the long haul. Keep your latest ticket in the glove box and recheck after major changes.

We design and upfit vans to meet real loads and long miles. If you want help turning weight numbers into a build that drives as well as it looks, explore our services and see how we approach layouts, power, water, and storage that keep you within ratings and on target.

Next steps

• Review your most recent CAT scale ticket
• List heavy items and their position in the rig
• Decide what to shift forward or lower
• Plan a reweigh to confirm improvements

Work with our team We build complete custom vans, partial upfits, and purpose built platforms that honor axle ratings and ride quality. See how we approach thoughtful weight distribution and cabin function on our pages below.

• Learn more about recreational vans
• Explore a custom build van
• See our mainstream vans

Tell us how you travel, what you carry, and share a recent scale ticket. We will map a weight smart layout, select components that match your goals, and deliver a van that feels planted on the interstate and calm on dirt. Submit the form and let us turn numbers into a dialed adventure rig.