Deciphering the new CAT scale numbers with new ride, WDH, and Load Leveling shocks...

Got a new to me 2017 Limited Expy that has load leveling shocks. This has provided me with some challenges.

When moving my Equalizer set up from my 2010 Expy to this new one things are not the same. First off due to the LL shocks, there is no sag in the rear, so the Equalizer set up I had accounted for some sag, so with the new truck there is actually now a nose up by a couple of inches on the camper. Unfortunately my Equalizer had no more holes to drop on and I had to by a new shank @ $200 to drop down 1-2 holes. I ended up with a 6" drop shank which may not have been the right call as in then end I only needed to drop one hole and might have got away with a 4" drop shank but I digress. I did consider moving to an Anderson WDH, but we're leaving on a extended RV trip and don't have the time to get a new WDH system all dialed in.

So I got the new shank, and set up the Equalizer down one hole, moved brackets on trailer frame down one hole as well. Once set up, eyeballing it seemed pretty level, so it was time to head to the CAT scales to get a sense of where things are. This is where things get interesting.

The load leveling shocks change the dynamics quite a bit. Similar to how lifting a wheel-barrow up transfers weight to the single wheel. the LL shocks move weight to the front axle even when the WDH is not engaged. At least that's what I see in my numbers.

Data below:

2017 Limited Expy, 2wd with HD tow and Equalizer 10,000 WDH, LL shocks.
2 adults, 2 dogs.


Weigh 1 WDH bars engaged:

Steer Axle: 3000 lb
Drive Axle: 4340 lb
Trailer Axle: 6520 lb

Gross weight: 13860lb



Weigh 2 WDH not engaged:

Steer Axle: 3680 lb
Drive Axle: 3900 lb
Trailer Axle: 6280 lb

Gross weight: 13860 lb



Weigh 3 Truck only on steer pad

6580 lb



Weigh 4 Truck only, each axle on different pads

Steer axle: 3040 lb
Drive axle: 3420 lb



Conclusion: I'm having a hard go at deciphering what to do with this set up.
Weigh 2 is very strange with the LL shocks fully extended, the weight you would expect to see pushing on that drive axle seems to be shifted to the front axle instead.

My tongue weight should be 750-800, but judging by these numbers and the effects of the LL shocks it seems I may only have 500 now? Do I need to had 250lb to the front of the trailer?

What do you guys think?

While I only have rear LL shocks, this article from Equalizer adds data to what I'm seeing.

Load Leveling effects on WDH

Are the Weigh 1 and Weigh 2 labels reversed? How did the front gain so much weight with the tongue loaded? You have more weight on the rear with the WDH hooked up than you do without it hooked up.

My understanding for the Nivomats is that you configure the WDH after hooking up the trailer without moving the vehicle, so most of the weight should be returned to the front axle by the WDH, and the load leveling shocks will take up the remaining sag when the vehicle has been driven several miles. Are they over adjusting the rear height?

JasonH said:

Are the Weigh 1 and Weigh 2 labels reversed? How did the front gain so much weight with the tongue loaded? You have more weight on the rear with the WDH hooked up than you do without it hooked up.

My understanding for the Nivomats is that you configure the WDH after hooking up the trailer without moving the vehicle, so most of the weight should be returned to the front axle by the WDH, and the load leveling shocks will take up the remaining sag when the vehicle has been driven several miles. Are they over adjusting the rear height?

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No, not reversed. That is the readings I got and that is what is confusing me. That's why I was thinking about the analogy of a wheelbarrow where when you pick it up it transfers the weight to the front, that perhaps the lifting of the rear shock is moving the weight to the front axle. It doesn't make much sense.

And if this is indeed the case, the weigh 2 with no WDH and the drive axle minus the no trailer weigh 4 drive axle would indicate a tongue weight of 480, where my tongue weight needs to be around 750. But all this has me doubting what I'm adjusting and whether or not that really is correct. Prior to the 2017 Expy, my set up had a tongue weight of 750-800, trailer hasn't change, but truck and WDH settings have. Could the tongue weight really be this short now because of the WDH and truck changes?

IF we use your non-engaged data I get a tongue weight of 1120 or 1000lbs (depending on which truck weight you use). Tongue weight = GCW - trailer - truck alone.

Fasttimes said:

No, not reversed. That is the readings I got and that is what is confusing me. That's why I was thinking about the analogy of a wheelbarrow where when you pick it up it transfers the weight to the front, that perhaps the lifting of the rear shock is moving the weight to the front axle. It doesn't make much sense.

And if this is indeed the case, the weigh 2 with no WDH and the drive axle minus the no trailer weigh 4 drive axle would indicate a tongue weight of 480, where my tongue weight needs to be around 750. But all this has me doubting what I'm adjusting and whether or not that really is correct. Prior to the 2017 Expy, my set up had a tongue weight of 750-800, trailer hasn't change, but truck and WDH settings have. Could the tongue weight really be this short now because of the WDH and truck changes?

Click to expand...

Or maybe the scale ticket just came out wrong. If you know your tongue weight is close to correct, just measure the front fender height change. The manual calls for 50% front axle restoration. Get the height before and after the WDH is hooked up. The front fender should only rise half as much as much once the WDH is configured. I.e. a 1-inch rise should be 1/2 inch after the WDH is hooked up. Then drive several miles with the load to let the struts adjust, then measure again.

shane_th_ee said:

IF we use your non-engaged data I get a tongue weight of 1120 or 1000lbs (depending on which truck weight you use). Tongue weight = GCW - trailer - truck alone.

Click to expand...

You are correct, I guess I was doing this wrong. I was subtracting the weight of the rear truck axle alone versus the rear truck axle with the trailer attached, WDH unloaded.

Now let's look at what the WDH is doing with respect to the trailer, using the 6580lb truck weight
Not engaged, we have a tongue weight of 1000lbs and a trailer axle weight of 6280. When you engage the bars, the trailer axle weight increases by 240 lbs (6520-6280), which is what we expect to see*.

What's not making sense to me is the front axle. Unhitched it's 3040. When you hitch up without the bars, the steer axle weight should decrease due to the lever moment. But in this instance, it actually *increases* by almost half the tongue weight...

*WDH acts as a lever and actually returns as much weight to the trailer axle as it does to the steer axle. And this should be between 25% and 33% of the tongue weight.

shane_th_ee said:

Now let's look at what the WDH is doing with respect to the trailer, using the 6580lb truck weight
Not engaged, we have a tongue weight of 1000lbs and a trailer axle weight of 6280. When you engage the bars, the trailer axle weight increases by 240 lbs (6520-6280), which is what we expect to see*.

What's not making sense to me is the front axle. Unhitched it's 3040. When you hitch up without the bars, the steer axle weight should decrease due to the lever moment. But in this instance, it actually *increases* by almost half the tongue weight...

*WDH acts as a lever and actually returns as much weight to the trailer axle as it does to the steer axle. And this should be between 25% and 33% of the tongue weight.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I don't understand it. I may have to go back and re-weigh all over to verify.

As I said, only thing I can think is that with the LL shocks fully extended and then you unload the WDH bars it pivots the wight forward, towards that front axle since the shock does not sink. Like picking up the wheel-barrow and shifting weight forward. But even that doesn't make sense because I can't see those shocks being so stiff that they're isn't any articulation to sink at all.

If you check your manual with the Nivomats for load leveling you will need to hook your trailer up and drive 1-2 miles I believe they state around 20-25mph for the Nivomats to adjust then add your load leveling equipment and set. I have a 2017 with the Nivomats and confirmed with the dealer this must be done everytime you hook up the trailer. It is a real pain but if you do not you will blow out the Nivomats.
If you are not doing this it might explain the odd numbers at the scale.