Strange reading on truck scale

[Squeege]

Weighed our minivan at a CAT truck scale today, just to confirm weights prior to selecting a popup. The total came out just about where I expected it to be - 4840 for a Honda Odyssey, with all of us inside.  However the split seemed off - showed 2800 front axle weight - 2000 on the rear. Never used one of these before, and there was no one outside to give us instruction - I just tried to make sure one set of wheels was on one scale, and the other was on a different one.  Perhaps I didn't center correctly, but does this reading make sense?  

The Ody user manual shows a max axle load of about 2850.. so if we did this right it is only 50 lbs short of that without a trailer...

Does this make sense?  Just when I think I have all these numbers figured out something else confuses me!

Burt

[dthurk]

It does make sense.  I think most vehicles have a heavier front end, at least those with an engine in the front.  You are approaching your limits, though.

If it's 2800 on the front, methinks hitching a trailer will change that considerably.  You'll add to the rear and subtract from the front.  Actually, you would add tongue weight to the rear, plus what you subtract from the front axle.  Tongue weight ideally should be 12% to 15% of your actual GVW on the camper (not the GVW listed on the camper's sticker).  

Did you weigh your van with all your gear that you would load in it?  You've got to take that into consideration, too.  Sounds to me like you might be getting close to your limits without loading gear.  What is the GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) of the van?  That would be the total weight of the van, camper, people, gear, everything.  If it isn't in your manual, an auto dealer would be able to tell you.

[Squeege]

Hi Dave
Thanks for the reply.

I do know there should be more weight on the front end.  Where I was surprised is how close we were already to the weight limit on the front axle.

We had some gear in the car, but not a lot. 4 people, with a combined weight of 450 pounds or so...

The GCWR is about 8250.  As I understand it, the GCWR is the most restrictive measure, which is the reason I wanted to confirm the van's weight. We are looking at popups in the 1900-2250 dry weight range.  Looks like those would do ok in my situation?

[ScoobyDoo]

You are close to the Front axle rating, but any thing you put in the van will go in the back, no problem.