Hot Rod Forum banner

How to weigh your street rod at home

6K views 50 replies 23 participants last post by  47dodge 
#1 ·
I am trying to find out how to weigh my street rod at home with a bathroom scale. Years back where was a magazine that told how they used boards so not to ruin the bathroom scale, but I can't find the magazine. Can any one tell me how to make this setup and the formula? Thanks
 
#2 ·
Ask your nearest farmer where to weigh it, or take it to a salvage yard or city dump. There are scales around for you to weigh your car on.

I can't imagine a bathroom scale being accurate even if you could figure out a way to use it. Mine keeps telling me I'm 10 pounds too heavy. That can't be right. :D
 
#5 ·
Hahahahaha

It's a good thing that not all of us are perfectionists.

Sometimes a rough idea is better than no idea at all.

later, mikey
 
#7 ·
powerrodsmike said:
Hahahahaha

It's a good thing that not all of us are perfectionists.

Sometimes a rough idea is better than no idea at all.

later, mikey
You win powerrodsmike. You obviously know more about hot rodding than I do. You're right I'm a bit of a perfectionist which obviously you are not. So you keep using your sundial and I'll stick with my Timex.
 
#8 ·
I helped answer the mans direct question without telling him it was a bad idea.. If you know how to use a measuring tape, and know a little math, it isn't all that hard. The laws of physics don't change.

The guy, (willys36@aol.com), who originally posted that drawing is a mechanical engineer. He isn't a perfectionist either, but he knows how to get things done with the tools he has at hand..

Now all of the other suggestions that were made were very good also, but maybe whuzat has his reasons for not going to the scales.

Later, mikey
 
#9 ·
I actually wasn't trying to get in a pissing contest. If I took it too far I apologize. It is in my nature to debate. I enjoy it a little too much.

BTW. You really do know more about hot rodding than me. I'm a software developer by trade. The car in my garage is just an obsession.
 
#10 ·
KenCam said:
Ask your nearest farmer where to weigh it, or take it to a salvage yard or city dump. There are scales around for you to weigh your car on.

I can't imagine a bathroom scale being accurate even if you could figure out a way to use it. Mine keeps telling me I'm 10 pounds too heavy. That can't be right. :D
If mine were only 10 pounds off, I would be happy. :embarrass


I know he asked specifially about the bathroom scales. You are correct, maybe he can't drive the vehicle at this time and needs to do it this way. I was simply stating some places that had scales. Most people never think of those. I know I didn't until I read it somewhere (maybe around here :confused: ).

Fortunately, somone with a stock truck (same as mine) weighed theirs empty, so I have a pretty good idea of what mine weighs. 3,500# or so.
 
#11 ·
It's all good, we're here to share ideas and solutions. I try to avoid telling people their ideas are bound to fail, based on their perceived capabilities.


The use of a lever and fulcrum and counterweight is the basis for every balance type scale there is. With a little care in it's implementation it can be fairly accurate.

maybe even as accurate as my sundial. :D


Hahahahahaha

Later, mikey
 
#13 ·
Thanks for the info, I guess I should explaine my position. I live in a small community, There is one truck scale about 1 mile away, but they will not weigh a car. I need to have my car weighed for CA. registration. I am trying to get it as light as I can before I have to drive it 2 hours to get a weight slip for DMV, and the people at the scales don,t like to have you running on and off scales to many times to check weight. Thanks again
 
#17 ·
weighing car

hi,take a case of cold budweiser beer to the place where they have the scales.believe me ,they will weigh your car for you,AND give you the certified slip showing the weight in order for you to register the car. without that certification slip,you are P_ _ _ ing in the wind.
 
#21 ·
How to weigh your streetrod at home.

Looks like the bathroom scale deal would work, kinda similiar to how we used to weigh "rolling stock" prior to loading cargo aircraft, but without all the lumber. Not accomplished at home, but weighed my 3/4 ton and fifth wheel for FREE on a state scale. Take I 90 West from Spokane to Vantage,get off I-90 and follow the Columbia toward Hanford. After crossing the river on the left side of the road is a scale. You can read it from the door, really handy.
 
#23 ·
murry42 said:
go to any large truck stop, cost about $8.00 to use the scale
And for that $8.00 you get a certified weight ticket.

Most of the grain elevators around here will weigh your vehicle for a fee. The last one I had weighed that I wanted a scale ticket on cost me $5.00. If I just want the weight for my own curiosity, some of them never shut the display off when they close so all I have to do is drive on the scale and look at the readout.
 
#24 ·
One more thing, the DOT Enforcement Officers (Diesel Bears) carry portable scales in the trunk of their cars. I know this since I have had the pleasure of being weighed with them. I helped the officer drag them out of the trunk of his car and they are rather heavy. I figured I might as well help speed the process up so I could get on my way a little faster and that might explain why he didn't give me a ticket even though I was overweight. He just told me to lighten it up a bit the next load.

Anyhow, if you know of any Enforcement Officers in your area you might just ask them to help you out. It is worth a try.
 
#26 ·
red65mustang said:
crash farmer...
good plan....diesel police has to be boring as hell.....a phone call to the local DOT and one would likely jump at the chance to play with a T bucket
(I would take a case of beer along for a thank you)
I would think that weighing a T bucket would be a whole lot more fun than a truck. But he might start giving it a safety inspection out of habit. Better have all four of them brakes in working order. :D
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top