What's the weight of my '69 Mesa?

[jambuster]

Does anyone know the best way to figure out the weight of my camper? The original brochure says it weighed in at 825 lbs., but mine is the Mesa iii which might weigh more because of the stove, propane tank, sink and ice box (I'm not sure that the Mesa I and II came with those extras).
I'm guessing the dry weight is about 1,000 lbs. Hoping to weigh it using the truck scale at my local landscaping materials supply place. I've got to go light 'cause I have a smaller tow vehicle with a 2,000 lb. limit.
Thanks for any replies tips, or feedback.
--Joel

[jerem0621]

You can weigh your camper with a normal bathroom scale and a 4x4.  I just jacked up my camper and slid a bathroom scale under the tongue, then the drivers side wheel, and then the passenger side wheel.  I recorded the numbers and then added the three figures to come up with my weight.   I am not real good explaining the 4x4 technique, which you would use if you overload your bathroom scale.  Check out this pdf for calculating the tongue weight of an avion travel trailer using the 4x4 technique. I see no reason why this wouldn't work for weighing your axles/tongue weight.  I am referring to page 6 of this pdf.

http://www.silveravion.com/downloads/maintenance/manuals/travel_trailers/1987_complete_manual.pdf

Thanks!

Jerem0621

[kanega]

With the jacks up, the trailer weight is distrubed on the two wheels and the tongue jack.  First, you will want the tongue weight at the hitch.  This can affect the class of hitch you install.  My 74 Royal is rated 180 to 230 lbs.  This loading is also effected by how your trailer is loaded including water and propane.  I added a battery next to the propane tank, so I added another 50 lbs.  I have a tonge weight around 230 lbs and had to opt to a heavier hitch, class 2.5.

Now the gross weight can be determined if you have a heavy enough scale.  The base weight of my Royal exceeds 1600 lbs.   A normal bathroom scale does not measure 800 lbs, hence would not work in my case.  Adding all 3 numbers for both tires and tongue, would give a gross weight.  Remember, most bathroom scales are not build heavy enough for heavier load.

[jambuster]

Thanks everyone for the input.
--Jambuster