Hitch Ball with a Built-in Scale

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
Ridge Runner
Posts: 199
Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2015 12:12 pm
Location: Florham Park NJ / Punta Gorda FL

Hitch Ball with a Built-in Scale

Postby Ridge Runner » Mon May 07, 2018 3:41 pm

I am getting ready to tow my 210 Montauk to Florida at the end of next week, and in this previous post had a discussion about the trailer sway I was encountering:

http://continuouswave.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=3081&p=17648

Has anyone used the Weigh Safe Hitch Ball with a built in scale in helping get the proper tongue weight dialed-in for towing?

scale.jpg
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Here is a [seven-minute-long] demo that etrailer produced:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnGB-53CL5I

The price is about $120.
Member since 2005
2005 170 Montauk, 2010 E-TEC 115 H.O.
2016 210 Montauk, 2017 E-TEC G2 200 H.O.

"Red sky at night, sailor’s delight - Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning”

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Dutchman
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Location: Kalamazoo, MI (South Haven)
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Re: Hitch Ball with a Built-in Scale

Postby Dutchman » Tue May 08, 2018 9:41 am

Interesting solution to the tongue weight guess.
Also what is really interesting is the magnetic stainless steel. I'm still working on finding a aluminum magnet.
That put aside I might ask for one on my birthday in July as it would be nice to know for my camper when using my Eaz-Lift system.
EJO
"Clumsy Cleat"look up what it means
50th edition 2008 Montauk 150, w/60HP Mercury Bigfoot

jimh
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Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: Hitch Ball with a Built-in Scale

Postby jimh » Tue May 08, 2018 11:38 am

I have not used the product. I am not inclined to use it for these reasons: the scale resolution looks awful; the strength of the ball seems to be compromised.

If trying to adjust tongue weight, you need more precision and accuracy than that scale may be providing. The graduations in the range of 0 to 500-lbs look rather coarse.

Then towing, I want a strong steel hitch ball. I would worry about this one with a two-piece construction and integral scale. Are we supposed to use this only for measuring? It is a pain to change the hitch ball; mine is torqed on very tight.

Also, once adjusted the tongue weight won't need continual measurement. I don't tow a different boat every day.

Ridge Runner
Posts: 199
Joined: Sat Oct 24, 2015 12:12 pm
Location: Florham Park NJ / Punta Gorda FL

Re: Hitch Ball with a Built-in Scale

Postby Ridge Runner » Thu May 10, 2018 8:20 pm

I decided to get a Sherline LM 1000 - Trailer Tongue Weight Scale - 1000LB. The cost was $159.00

Scale.JPG
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Member since 2005
2005 170 Montauk, 2010 E-TEC 115 H.O.
2016 210 Montauk, 2017 E-TEC G2 200 H.O.

"Red sky at night, sailor’s delight - Red sky in the morning, sailor’s warning”