The day shone clear as we drove across the Cumberland Plateau, an ancient upland eroded and divided by many streams, covered in forest, which is now starting to show the first signs of autumn (Fall) colours. The drive into Tennessee is not a long one, however we stopped at a Pilot Truck Stop. In the USA there are several large, competing Truck Stop names, such as Pilot and Flying J. They cater for everything a trucker may need. Overnight stops, showers, food, truck wash and scales (weigh station).
We have never weighed our vehicle, but following our overheating in West Virginia it was on my mind that we should check if there was a problem.
We organised with the attendant and set the truck and trailer onto the scales, there were four ‘pads’ to set the wheels onto. I put the whole of the truck on to one pad and the twin axles of the trailer on to another. We paid our $9.00 and got the results. The truck empty is 6550lbs, it now weighs 8800lbs, that included the tongue (nose) weight of the trailer, which is in the region of 1000 – 1200lbs. The trailer axles came in at 6500lbs, which plus the nose weight would be about 7500- 8000lbs. Total weight is 15300lbs. The truck load and the trailer load are both beneath their maximum, though the combined weight is 1400lbs above that recommended by Chevy. However the Chevy dealer was happy that the truck was able to pull up to 10000lbs happily when they fitted the tow hitch. So it seems OK to me. I am also happy that the bigger weight is in the truck, rather than the trailer as that should keep it more stable in towing (and it is very stable).
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