Capt. Mike
Moderator
Westies are often loaded very heavy and knowing your actual vehicle weights is important to safety. There are various warnings and tips under the tires posts about maximum safe load and weight distribution. Throw in some rough roads and hard driving, and you've exceeded limits. It has big effects on handling, tire wear and comfort.
Your Westy has (or should have) a sticker in the driver's door jamb giving a maximum GVWR -- Gross vehicle weight rating. This is the maximum amount the vehicle, with all its cargo, liquids (coolant/fuel/etc.) and passengers, can weigh.
This maximum allowed number includes all of the liquids such as fuel, coolant, oil and the camper's water tank. That's nearly 300 lb. on my '90. It also includes the passengers -- you do the math on that! All that's before you've loaded the first item of cargo or equipment. DO NOT assume the listed empty weight + your estimates of load are correct -- every vehicle I've ever seen weighed was considerably more than estimates -- often by over 25%!
There are several ways to get your vehicle and weight distribution measured. Many truck stops have scales. For about $10 they will weigh your Westy. It's quick and painless -- just drive onto the scales and stop for a second or two while they take the readings. They will give you front axle, rear axle and total. Although this doesn't give per wheel distribution, it's probably good enough for most.
I've discovered a "free" weighing at my local land-fill. When commercial haulers dump, they are usually charged by weight. So they drive over scales. Ours have the display right out where it can be seen from inside the car. These may only give you a total wieght, though if you catch the attendant in a good mood and not busy, they may be willing to give you numbers with front wheels only, all & rear wheels only so you can do a little estimating.
I weighed mine, by the wheel, at a local race shop. Race teams are very fussy about weight & distribution, so you might see if there's a local shop with the equipment that will do it for you. NOT necessarily applicable to your vehicle -- mine is a '90 Syncro with many options -- it weighed (Empty, full tanks) 4512 lb. By wheel: 1149 LF, 1105 RF, 1150 LR & 1094 RR. Loaded for a 2 mo. Yukon trip it was 5279 without passengers.
Another possible source is your DMV office. Their truck enforcement division has portable wheel scales. Have a connection? See if they have an officer or station that will do it for you.
Has anybody tried one of the big truck weigh stations on the Interstates. Again, if open and NOT busy, they might do the favor. (I think I'd call the State DMV and check first.)
Your Westy has (or should have) a sticker in the driver's door jamb giving a maximum GVWR -- Gross vehicle weight rating. This is the maximum amount the vehicle, with all its cargo, liquids (coolant/fuel/etc.) and passengers, can weigh.
This maximum allowed number includes all of the liquids such as fuel, coolant, oil and the camper's water tank. That's nearly 300 lb. on my '90. It also includes the passengers -- you do the math on that! All that's before you've loaded the first item of cargo or equipment. DO NOT assume the listed empty weight + your estimates of load are correct -- every vehicle I've ever seen weighed was considerably more than estimates -- often by over 25%!
There are several ways to get your vehicle and weight distribution measured. Many truck stops have scales. For about $10 they will weigh your Westy. It's quick and painless -- just drive onto the scales and stop for a second or two while they take the readings. They will give you front axle, rear axle and total. Although this doesn't give per wheel distribution, it's probably good enough for most.
I've discovered a "free" weighing at my local land-fill. When commercial haulers dump, they are usually charged by weight. So they drive over scales. Ours have the display right out where it can be seen from inside the car. These may only give you a total wieght, though if you catch the attendant in a good mood and not busy, they may be willing to give you numbers with front wheels only, all & rear wheels only so you can do a little estimating.
I weighed mine, by the wheel, at a local race shop. Race teams are very fussy about weight & distribution, so you might see if there's a local shop with the equipment that will do it for you. NOT necessarily applicable to your vehicle -- mine is a '90 Syncro with many options -- it weighed (Empty, full tanks) 4512 lb. By wheel: 1149 LF, 1105 RF, 1150 LR & 1094 RR. Loaded for a 2 mo. Yukon trip it was 5279 without passengers.
Another possible source is your DMV office. Their truck enforcement division has portable wheel scales. Have a connection? See if they have an officer or station that will do it for you.
Has anybody tried one of the big truck weigh stations on the Interstates. Again, if open and NOT busy, they might do the favor. (I think I'd call the State DMV and check first.)
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I'm a firm believer in weighing any tow. Real weighing at a CAT scale truck stop. Nothing is as it seems. My last attempt was humorous. CAT scales have become so automated that a truck just drives on the unattended scales, and then presses a button on the intercom to give his truck number, data and billing. Then pulls into a special parking area to go inside and get his certified ticket & pay.