4 Corner RV Weigh: The BEST Way To Stay Safe
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When Was the Last Time You Weighed Your RV?
And never is not the answer we’re looking for 😄
Weighing your RV is honestly one of the most important things you can do for safety. We recently did a 4-corner weigh on our rig, and let’s just say it was a little eye-opening. So let’s break this down in a way that actually makes sense.
Why You Should Care
This isn’t just about numbers on a scale.
It’s about:
→ how your RV handles
→ how your tires wear
→ and whether something important decides to fail at the worst possible moment
And let’s be honest, none of us packed light. Somewhere between the just in case tools, the second wardrobe that I know I will get into and that one drawer we’re all afraid to open… things add up fast 😅
What Happens When You’re Overweight
Tire Trouble (aka the big one)
Too much weight = too much heat.
And heat leads to:
faster wear
poor handling
and eventually blowouts
Not exactly the kind of roadside excitement we’re looking for.
Stopping Takes Longer
More weight = longer stopping distance.
Which is not what you want when something unexpected happens in front of you.
Wear & Tear
Overloading your RV puts extra stress on
suspension
brakes
tires
pretty much everything that keeps you rolling
And those things are not cheap to replace.
Repairs You Didn’t Budget For
When your rig is overloaded:
transmissions run hotter
brakes wear faster
parts fail sooner
Which usually turns into unexpected breakdowns and unexpected bills.
The Sneaky Problem: Uneven Weight
Here’s where it gets interesting. Even if your RV is under its overall weight limit, you can still have a problem.
For example:
Your axle rating: 12,000 lbs
Your actual weight: 11,800 lbs (so you think you’re good)
BUT one tire could be overloaded while the other is just cruising along. That one tire is now doing all the work and that’s where failures happen.
The Legal Side
If your RV is over its rated weight and you’re in an accident it could be used against you even if wasn’t your fault.
Quick Definitions
GVWR = Max total weight of your RV (everything included)
GAWR = Max weight per axle
GCWR = Total weight of RV + tow vehicle + everything inside
NCC = How much stuff you can add (people, gear, water, etc.)
Ways to Weigh Your RV
1. Axle Weigh (Easiest)
Think truck stop scales (like CAT scales).
Pros:
✔ Easy
✔ Cheap
✔ No appointment
Cons:
❌ Doesn’t tell you what each tire is carrying
❌ Can make you think you’re safe when you’re not
2. 4-Corner Weigh (Safest)
This is what we did and it’s the most accurate. It measures each individual tire.
Pros:
✔ Tells you exactly what each tire is carrying
✔ Helps you set the correct tire pressure
✔ Catches uneven weight issues
Cons:
❌ Harder to find
❌ Usually needs an appointment
❌ Costs more
But totally worth it.
When Should You Weigh?
Right after you load up your RV. And we mean fully loaded with people, pets, water, chairs, gear. Basically your real travel setup. And you should know this is NOT a one-time thing.
You should re-weigh:
after upgrades
after big changes
and periodically over time
Bottom Line
If you haven’t weighed your RV yet you might be driving around with a problem you don’t even know exists.
And trust us… we’ve been there.
Our Numbers
As we left the RV rally, we were first in line for the Escapees SmartWeigh. We were very eager to see the results compared to the CAT scale results.
R Front 4,500 lbs
L Front 4,800 lbs
R Rear 10,600 lbs
L Rear 9,100 lbs
Height 12' 10" (BONUS!! SmartWeigh also measures the highest point of your RV)
Ruby's Michelin Tire Ratings
Max front tire rating 6,175 lbs
Max rear tire rating 5,675 lbs x 2 tires for a total of 11,350 lbs
After receiving these exact weights, Phil adjusted the tire PSI again. Hopefully, this will give us a smoother ride as we head down the road.
Stay Safe
We hope this helps you to stay safe on the road! Now hit the scales!!!
Meet Stacy! Stacy and her husband, Phil, are a wanderlust couple who have been roaming the great USA for an epic 7 years! They ditched the daily grind to embark on thrilling adventures and inspire fellow dreamers to chase their travel dreams. Curious about how they do it? Check out their awesome YouTube channel, Today is Someday, where they're spilling all the secrets to living a life on the move. Get ready to pack your bags and join them on this incredible journey.
Today is Someday, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, 2026