In Part 1<\/a> of this three-part series, we talked about quickly and easily <\/span>weighing your RV on the CAT Scales<\/span>. There is, however, a limitation to consider, when you only know your overall weight, or even your weights per axle.<\/span><\/p>\n Remember, the primary concern for weighing your RV, and adjusting tire pressures accordingly, is to avoid overloading any of your individual tires. <\/span>Unless you know the load\/weight carried by <\/span>each wheel position<\/b>, you have no way to know the proper inflation of your tires. Improper inflation leads to improper wear, reduced life of the tire, and greater potential for rapid tire failure. <\/span>Learn more.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n RV Four Corner Weighing<\/b><\/p>\n So, after your preliminary weigh-in on the CAT Scales<\/a>, this then becomes the Holy Grail or Level-Up Quest for the new RV owner: four corner weighing, also known as wheel position weighing.<\/span><\/p>\n The <\/span>four corner weight<\/b> is the distribution of weight on each of the four wheel positions of your RV.<\/span><\/p>\n We finally had our chance to weigh-in properly \u2013 all four corners, or wheel positions, of the RV \u2013 with <\/span>RVSEF (RV Safety & Education Foundation)<\/span><\/a> at the FMCA International Convention & RV Expo in Perry, Georgia.<\/span><\/p>\n RVSEF maintains a full schedule of attendance at RV rallies and manufacturer brand events all over the country. They teach tire and weight safety seminars and provide wheel position weighing at events.<\/span><\/p>\n When you register for an FMCA Rally, or any of the events RVSEF is attending, you\u2019ll typically receive early notice via email about signing up for wheel position weighing. You can schedule your weigh-in before or after the event, on your way in, or when you leave. Very convenient!<\/span><\/p>\n We had been on the road full time for two years before we had the opportunity to finally sign up for our four corner weighing. We were fairly confident we were on top of tire safety and RV weight:<\/span><\/p>\n We rearranged our travel schedule to do the four corner weigh on our way into the FMCA Rally. I scheduled the appointment just before <\/span>our assigned parking time with the AIM Club<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n The wheel position weigh station is a portable setup, with big rolling scale plates the RVSEF techs position under the tires, and a computer with a printer to generate the reports in real time. This all requires a flat roadway for accurate weighing, as well as plenty of room to maneuver the large RVs coming and going.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n RVSEF typically arranges the weigh-ins at a suitable location near the actual event. In Georgia, it was at a small airport near the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nirvc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/NIRVC-RV-Weight-4-Corner-Weighing-for-Safety-1.jpeg” alt=”four corner weighing station” title_text=”NIRVC-RV-Weight-4-Corner-Weighing-for-Safety-1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”] Along with the appointment date, time and location specifics, you\u2019ll receive additional information and homework ahead of time. Be prepared!<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nirvc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/NIRVC-RV-Weight-4-Corner-Weighing-for-Safety-2.jpg” alt=”RV tire” title_text=”NIRVC-RV-Weight-4-Corner-Weighing-for-Safety-2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”] RV weight information needed from your RV tire sidewalls:<\/b><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nirvc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/NIRVC-RV-Weight-4-Corner-Weighing-for-Safety-3.jpg” alt=”motorhome information card” title_text=”NIRVC-RV-Weight-4-Corner-Weighing-for-Safety-3″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”] The homework is necessary information and helpful education for the RV owner. This was the first time I really looked at the Federal Compliance Labels in our rig and got to know our motorhome tires up close and personal.<\/span><\/p>\n In Charlie-The-Unicorn RV, my husband tends to do most of the driving. He handles the technical and mechanical aspects of our life on the road, while I navigate and manage the logistics of travel and household management. He also works full time and is on video conferences with partners and clients all over the world all day, every weekday. I have more flexibility with my work, so I help with the details, such as filling out the homework sheet for our Wheel Position Weighing.<\/span><\/p>\n I got organized, did the detective work, and learned all about the RV weights from the compliance labels and information on the tires. I looked up all the terms and definitions as I went.<\/span><\/p>\n Little did I realize how important <\/span>load range<\/b> would be. (More on that later\u2026)<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0When weighing day finally rolls around, there is even more prep to be done. You\u2019ll want to go into your RV weigh-in as heavy as you can be, to truly test your limits, even if you don\u2019t normally travel fully loaded.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nirvc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/NIRVC-RV-Weight-4-Corner-Weighing-for-Safety-4.jpg” alt=”liquid weights chart” title_text=”NIRVC-RV-Weight-4-Corner-Weighing-for-Safety-4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”] We drove our RV onto the scales with a full tank of fresh water (830 lbs!), plus full diesel and propane tanks. Our black and gray tanks were empty.<\/span><\/p>\n Keep in mind that the total weight of your RV includes people \u2013 and pets!<\/span><\/p>\n After all the scheduling, homework and prep, the wheel position weighing was an easy process. We arrived at the airport and only had to wait less than five minutes for the RV ahead of us to finish. After paying, I climbed aboard and took my usual seat. Hubs rolled Charlie the Unicorn\u2019s tires up onto the four weight scales. The RVSEF team recorded the weights and brought the results over to discuss the GVWR, GAWR and GCWR.<\/span><\/p>\n Four Corner Weight Report<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nirvc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/NIRVC-RV-Weight-4-Corner-Weighing-for-Safety-5.jpg” alt=”four corner weight report” title_text=”NIRVC-RV-Weight-4-Corner-Weighing-for-Safety-5″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″] Basically, WE FAILED!<\/b><\/p>\n We were HEAVY on the Passenger Front (my side!) by 200 lbs, according to the Axle Rating: GAWR (Front) 14700 \/ 2 = 7200 lbs max per tire.<\/span><\/p>\n But also, and in my mind, far, far worse: 1,100 lbs MORE than Driver Front. What?! I\u2019ve actually LOST all 15 lbs of my gained RV weight. I was devastated!<\/span><\/p>\n Overall, we were well within our GVWR and GAWR (front and rear) \u2013 as <\/span>our CAT Scale weights<\/a> had shown<\/span>\u00a0\u2013 but the distribution of the weight between the four wheel positions was out of whack, which affects the individual wheel position tire pressure requirements for safety.<\/span><\/p>\n RVSEF\u2019s suggestions for the weight variance in our RV, included several possible factors:<\/span><\/p>\n Their recommendation was to run the tires at the highest PSI allowance (pounds per square inch), front and rear: 120 PSI. We didn\u2019t immediately do that, because we were going directly into the FMCA Rally, which was just a few minutes away, and parking for the rest of the week.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s actually a really good thing we did not increase the tire pressures at that time\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n In retrospect, we\u2019re happy we scheduled the four corner weigh-in <\/span>on our way in<\/b>, before we attended the FMCA Rally, so we had a chance to do more research and ask questions.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n None of this made any sense to me. I had to go deeper. Research. Ask questions.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The first person I talked with was Ted Cook from Entegra Coach, AKA Entegra Ted. Ted\u2019s business card says Regional Sales Manager, but he is much more than that, having been with Entegra Coach before they were even building motorhomes.<\/span><\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.nirvc.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/NIRVC-RV-Weight-4-Corner-Weighing-for-Safety-6.jpg” alt=”Ted Cook” title_text=”NIRVC-RV-Weight-4-Corner-Weighing-for-Safety-6″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]RV Goals: Four Corner Weigh<\/b><\/h2>\n
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RVSEF weigh station setup (courtesy of Trey Selman\/RVSEF)<\/span><\/i><\/h6>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]
How Do I Get My RV Weighed?<\/b><\/h2>\n
Four Corner Weigh: Preparation\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
Four Corner Weight Results<\/b><\/h2>\n
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How Can Your RV Be Overweight and\/or Unbalanced?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
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RV Unbalanced: Ride Height?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Entegra Regional Sales Manager Ted Cook (Entegra Ted)<\/span><\/i><\/h6>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]