B How to Fulcrum weigh camper trailer on bathroom scales?

[gary350]

TL;DR Summary

How to Fulcrum weigh camper trailer on bathroom scales.

I think I have it figured out just want to make sure. Camper trailer pushes down with a wt of about 450 to 600 lb how to find the exact togue weight with bathroom scales that only goes to 250 lbs.? I am using a strong board as the lever.

Fulcrum is at 0"

Trailer tongue is at 6"

If scales at 18" reads 150 lbs tongue weight should be 450 lbs.

 

[Lnewqban]

That fulcrum must prevent the rollover of the board, which will tend to happen as long as the point of application of the trailer's weight has a higher elevation than the fulcrum-scale contact line.

Your calculation of 150 lbs is correct, as long as the board is kept horizontal, and secured in such a way that is steadily able to hold those 450 to 600 lbs without causing any accident.

 

[berkeman]

TL;DR Summary: How to Fulcrum weigh camper trailer on bathroom scales.

As an alternative, can you borrow a few bathroom scales from your neighbors for this measurement? Make it a neighborhood party event and serve drinks.

 

[gary350]

That fulcrum must prevent the rollover of the board, which will tend to happen as long as the point of application of the trailer's weight has a higher elevation than the fulcrum-scale contact line.

Your calculation of 150 lbs is correct, as long as the board is kept horizontal, and secured in such a way that is steadily able to hold those 450 to 600 lbs without causing any accident.

I tested it and it works. As it turned out trailer tongue weight is 226 lbs.

 

[Baluncore]

I tested it and it works. As it turned out trailer tongue weight is 226 lbs.

But how many neighbours, and what were the drinks?

 

[gary350]

But how many neighbours, and what were the drinks?

Drinks are always red wine about 9:30 pm at our camp site. Trailer tongue is about 150 lbs. too light weight. Spare tire and several other items need to be moved up front. Total camper trailer weight = about 1500 lbs divide by 4 = tongue wt. should be about 375 lbs. or more for trailer to be safe to pull faster than 30 mph. Trailer should be 40/60 = 40% of trailer length behind the axle and 60% of trailer length in front of the axle.