CAT scale method
Drive on so each axle group sits on a pad. Record steer, drive, and trailer axles separately when the scale layout allows — totals alone hide which axle is hot.
Weight guide
Weigh your rig before the highway does
GVWR stickers are not a substitute for a real scale ticket. Axle overload, soft tires, and mystery handling often start with “we thought we were under.”
Active corridor: Montana · Wyoming · Idaho · Washington — case-by-case beyond.
Field notes
United Mobile RV sees overloaded axles and underrated tires on corridor calls more than owners expect. A proper weigh is cheap insurance compared to a blowout or frame stress.
How to weigh
As you travel
Weigh loaded the way you actually camp: full fresh or typical tanks, gear, passengers, and tow vehicle if applicable.
Tongue / pin weight
For trailers, tongue or pin weight is a large share of hitch and tow-vehicle rear axle load. Guessing it from “feels heavy” is not a measurement.
Read the ticket
Compare each axle to GAWR and the combination to GCWR/GVWR on the placards. Soft sidewalls or uneven tire wear often point at the hot axle.
When to book
DIY OK
Scale tickets and placard math are owner-doable. Bring a notepad photo of every weight label.
Call us when
You need help interpreting overload options, tire load ratings, or suspension/brake concerns after a weigh — Prefer Text with ticket photos.
Owner checklist
- Weigh as loaded for a real trip, not empty
- Photo every placard (GVWR, GAWR, tire)
- Note tire load range and inflation cold
- Re-weigh after major cargo or battery bank changes
Field reality on the corridor
Measure before you buy parts
Forums love parts lists. A meter, a scale ticket, or a cold pressure check usually beats a guess. Bring photos when you Prefer Text — year, make, and a clear shot of the fault beat a long thread.
DIY boundary
Owners can inspect, document, and do basic setup from manufacturer manuals. Stop when you smell burning, see structural damage, or the fix needs sealed systems, gas work, or high-current DC you are not trained for.
Prefer Text path
Text (616) 606-5277 with symptoms, photos, and location on the MT · WY · ID · WA corridor (case-by-case beyond). Trip fee quoted before we roll.
Not a substitute for on-site
This guide is education. It is not a guarantee, not a certification class, and not a reason to skip manufacturer instructions or local safety rules.
FAQ
Can I wait until the next stop?
If brakes, tires, propane, or CO are involved, no — stabilize and get help. Cosmetic and planning items can wait.
Do you stock every part?
Parts are quoted after diagnosis. We travel the corridor with common tools and meters; special-order parts are called out before work proceeds.
What does a visit cost?
Trip $75 within 30 miles then $1.50/mi each way; labor ~$150/hr with 1-hour minimum / 30-minute increments; diagnostic $175 applied if you proceed.
Where else should I read?
Use the Related links on this page for sibling guides and the matching service line. Start symptoms at /troubleshoot/ when you are chasing a fault tree.
Related: GVWR / GCWR / payload · Tire pressure / load · Tires, brakes & TPMS · Trailer service
Pricing teaser
Trip fee $75 within 30 miles, then $1.50/mi each way. Labor ~$150/hr (1-hour minimum, billed in 30-minute increments). Diagnostic $175 applied toward repair if you proceed.
Credentials (text): Victron Professional Certified Installer · weBoost Authorized Installer · Peplink Certified Associate · Dometic Professional Certified. Starlink = installs only (not a certified partner title).