Can't see why bathroom scale would be inaccurate if done properly. Works fine for us.
Actually you can probably use your bathroom scale if you know the trick. Suppose you maximum tongue weight is 1000# and your scale only reads to 200#. What you need then is a 5 to 1 multiplier.
You will need two pieces of strong metal pipe (2" is good), several blocks (leveler blocks work fine), a 2x12, say 6 feet long (more on this later), and two 12x12" pieces of 2x12. Take two pieces of 2x12 and cut a Vee groove in each of them. Cut a Vee groove near each end of the long 2x12, parallel to end, 6" from end. Note grooves are exactly 5 feet apart, this distance is IMPORTANT
Put small 2x12 block on top of scale. Put piece of pipe in groove. Put 6' 2x12 groove on pipe.
On other end of 6' 2x12, put the other small block under it, with pipe in between. Next note that long board is not level because the scale adds height on one end. Put blocks, equivalent to the scale height, under the low end (end without scale).
You should now have a 2x12 supported by blocks on one end, able to pivot on a pipe between two Vee grooves, five feet apart. On the other end is a similar arrangement set on a bathroom scale (make sure you can read the scale). Now zero the scale so the board weights are removed.
Note if you now stand in the exact center of the 6' 2x12, the scale will read HALF your weight.
If you stand 1 feet from the pipe pivot, away from the scale end, it will read ONE FIFTH of your weight.
Your bathroom scale can read 200#, and you just built a 5 to 1 multiplier. Put the tongue jack 1 foot from the non scale pipe end (1 1/2 foot from end of board). Since the board is five feet between pivots, the scale will read one fifth of the load. Note TT should be level front to back for reading to be accurate, so adjust tongue jack as needed.
Have fun, and if this does not make sense or I missed a step, send me another private message.
Yes there is a slight error by using the tongue jack instead of the receiver, but it is small.
Chuck
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