How to Use CAT Scale: Complete Guide
CAT Scale is the trucking industry's most trusted weighing service with over 2,600 locations and a unique reweigh guarantee. Whether you need to verify your weight after loading a grossed-out load or confirm your axle distribution after sliding tandems, knowing how to use CAT Scale efficiently saves time and protects you from overweight fines.
O Trucking Editorial Team
Trucking Industry Experts
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5+ years helping owner-operators maintain weight compliance
This article was written by the O Trucking editorial team with 9+ years of combined trucking industry experience. Learn more about us.
O TruckingHow to Use CAT Scale: Complete Guide (2026)
Step-by-Step Weighing Procedure
Step 1: Find a CAT Scale — Use the Weigh My Truck app or look for the blue and yellow CAT Scale signs at major truck stops. Over 2,600 locations across North America.
Step 2: Pull onto the scale — Position your truck so the steer axle is on the first platform, drive axles on the second, and trailer tandems on the third. Stop when all axle groups are centered on their respective platforms.
Step 3: Weigh — Either use the Weigh My Truck app to initiate the weigh from your cab, or pull forward off the scale and go inside the truck stop to pay and get your weight ticket.
Step 4: Review your weights — Check steer, drive, trailer, and gross weights. Compare each to legal limits: steer under 12,000-14,000 lbs, drives under 34,000, trailer under 34,000, gross under 80,000.
Step 5: Adjust if needed — If any axle is overweight, slide your tandems, then return for a reweigh ($3). If your gross is over 80,000 lbs, you need to return to the shipper to remove freight.
Step 6: Keep your receipt — Save your CAT Scale receipt for the duration of your trip. You need it to file a reweigh guarantee claim if you later receive an overweight citation.
Weigh My Truck App
The free Weigh My Truck app makes the weighing process faster and more convenient:
Paperless weighing — No need to go inside the truck stop. Initiate the weigh, pay, and receive your weight ticket all from your phone while sitting in your cab.
Location finder — Find the nearest CAT Scale location with turn-by-turn directions. Filter by truck stop chain, amenities, and distance from your route.
Weight history — The app stores all your past weighs, creating a record you can reference for planning future loads and verifying your empty weight over time.
The Reweigh Guarantee
CAT Scale's reweigh guarantee is the primary reason truckers choose CAT Scale over competitors. The guarantee works as follows:
How the Guarantee Works
- Weigh your truck on a certified CAT Scale and keep the receipt
- If a state weigh station later tickets you for being overweight on the same load
- File a claim with CAT Scale within 90 days, providing your receipt and the citation
- If the CAT Scale weight was within tolerance and the weigh was conducted properly, CAT Scale pays the fine
This guarantee has saved drivers thousands of dollars in overweight fines and is the main reason professional drivers always use CAT Scale rather than cheaper alternatives.
Weigh Close to the Shipper, Not Close to the Scale House
CAT Scale Pro Tips
Position accurately — Center each axle group on its platform. If an axle is between two platforms, the weight reading will be inaccurate. Take your time positioning.
Stay still during weighing — Do not rock the truck, apply brakes hard, or make movements during the weigh. Air suspension should be level. The scale needs a stable reading.
Weigh with your normal fuel load — If you usually run with 150 gallons, weigh with 150 gallons. A full 300-gallon tank adds 2,100 lbs that will not be there after you burn through fuel on your route.
Portable and On-Board Scale Alternatives
While CAT Scale is the gold standard for certified weights, portable and on-board scales give you continuous weight monitoring between stops:
| Type | Accuracy | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT Scale (truck stop) | Certified | $12.50/weigh | Pre-weigh station verification |
| Right Weigh (on-board) | +/- 200 lbs | $300-600 | Continuous monitoring |
| Air-Weigh (on-board) | +/- 300 lbs | $500-1,000 | Fleet-level monitoring |
| Portable axle pads | +/- 500 lbs | $1,500-3,000 | Shippers without scales |
On-board scales like Right Weigh and Air-Weigh are not substitutes for certified platform scales but they help you monitor weight throughout multi-stop routes. If your on-board system shows you are approaching the limit, stop at the next CAT Scale before the weigh station.
The Bottom Line
CAT Scale is the industry standard for good reason: accurate weights, the reweigh guarantee, a convenient app, and 2,600+ locations. Spending $12-15 to verify your weight after every loading is the cheapest insurance against overweight fines. For more on weight compliance, see our grossed out glossary, overweight prevention guide, and GVWR explained.
CAT Scale FAQ
Common questions about using CAT Scale for truck weighing
How much does it cost to weigh at CAT Scale?
A first weigh at CAT Scale costs approximately $12-15 depending on the location. A reweigh at the same location within 24 hours costs about $3. Payment can be made via the Weigh My Truck app, EFS/Comcheck, or cash/credit inside the truck stop. The cost is a small investment compared to potential overweight fines of $500-$16,000+.
What is the CAT Scale reweigh guarantee?
CAT Scale's reweigh guarantee states: if you weigh on a certified CAT Scale and later receive an overweight fine at a state-operated scale, CAT Scale will pay the fine — provided the weigh was conducted properly and the ticket weight is within the tolerance of your CAT Scale weight. You must keep your CAT Scale receipt to file a claim. No other scale company offers this guarantee.
How does the Weigh My Truck app work?
The free Weigh My Truck app lets you weigh your truck without going inside the truck stop. Pull onto the scale, open the app, confirm your location, and pay through the app. Your weights (steer, drive, trailer, gross) appear on your phone within seconds. The app also stores your weight history and helps you find nearby CAT Scale locations.
How many CAT Scale locations are there?
CAT Scale has over 2,600 locations across the United States and Canada, primarily at major truck stops including Pilot Flying J, Love's, TravelCenters of America, and Petro. Use the Weigh My Truck app or the CAT Scale website to find the nearest location.
Are portable truck scales accurate?
Quality portable axle scales (like Right Weigh, Air-Weigh, or on-board scales) are accurate to within 200-500 lbs per axle group under normal conditions. They are not as accurate as certified platform scales (like CAT Scale), but they provide good estimates for monitoring your weight throughout the day. They are especially useful for drivers who load and unload at multiple stops.
Want a Dispatch Team That Plans for Weight Compliance?
We route our drivers past CAT Scale locations after heavy loads and verify weights before accepting freight. Your compliance is our priority.