Troubleshooting Front Axle Weight Not Changing with Boat Loaded Up

Updated 02/11/2025 | Published 02/09/2025

Question:

HI. Bizarre question about front axle weight. A 2022 Dodge Ram 2500 Crew cab 4WD had an 8,100lb boat on the trailer hitch conventional non-WD. When the boat was loaded and then unloaded, the front axle weight did not change. I find this abnormal unless it was simply weighed wrong. The front axle weight did not change from 3,920lb, both loaded and unloaded. This was using a CAT scale. The rear axle changed from 4,280lb boat loaded to 3,160lb unloaded. Total GCWR weight with boat was 15,140. Trailer axle weight was 6,940lb when loaded on truck. We weighed the boat with truck then just the truck.

asked by: Jim L

Expert Reply:

Hey Jim, thanks for reaching out!

That does sound pretty weird, but it could be how the boat was loaded, if the axle(s) are in a position to share the load, and how much tongue weight was added to the trailer. Also, did you have the trailer leveled out when you were measuring the front axle weight?

Basically, the only way I can see the front axle weight not changing at all is if something bad is going on with your suspension.

expert reply by: Jon G

Jim L.

2/11/2025

Thanks Jon. I found out that there was a payload in the bed of the truck that weighed 400lbs, exactly, sitting at the rear tailgate. The truck 'unloaded' weight, was actually 3,560lb per the CAT scale, and the amount had simply been subtracted. So, for this scenario, the truck 'unloaded' rear axle weight on the CAT scale was 3,560, not 3,160 but they were trying to account for the 400lb payload. That might explain why the front axle weight did not change, maybe some of the front axle weight was still moved to the rear axle by the payload of 400lbs. Loaded: front 3,920, rear 4,280, trailer axle 6,940 unloaded: front 3,920, rear 3560, no trailer but 400lb payload. I was trying to determine the tongue weight of the trailer and the trailer weight.

Jon G.

2/11/2025

@JimL Okay, I see what you're talking about now. I thought you were talking about the individual axle weight ratings for a dual axle trailer - not for your truck. It is a bit unusual to see the front axle still weighing in the exact same, but if your truck is designed to handle the weight of the trailer then it makes sense why your truck has a steady front axle weight. The only time you'll see your front axle weight increase is if you have a weight distribution system set up, as a weight distribution system is designed to evenly distribute weight among all axles in a towing setup.