CURT BetterWeigh™ Mobile Towing Scale Provides Peace of Mind…Right from Your Phone

Whether you’re new to towing or a veteran hauler, calculating accurate vehicle and trailer weights can be a little tricky. It requires patience, focus, and, more often than not, a few trips across the CAT scales. While this may not be a deal breaker for a lot of folks with decent math skills, I think we can all agree that we’ve seen a few setups over the years—either at the campground or bumbling down the highway—and thought to ourselves: “God help us all.”

Luckily, there’s an easier way, and it’s so straight-forward that even the most irresponsible can figure it out. The new BetterWeigh™ Mobile Towing Scale with TowSense™ Technology from CURT effectively takes the guesswork out of towing and hauling by measuring the live weights of your vehicle, trailer, and more. The unit simply plugs into your OBD-II port and syncs to your smartphone via an app, giving you real-time readouts. (Seriously, it’s that easy.)

Sometimes living in a tech-obsessed future has its perks, eh?

Award-Winning Product

Nabbing Best New Exterior Accessory Product at SEMA 2019, the BetterWeigh™ Mobile Towing Scale really impressed judges with its ingenuity and ease of use. “We are extremely honored to win this award,” said Jesse Bauer, Director of Product for CURT Group. “CURT aspires to lead the towing and electrical accessory aftermarket industry in innovation and quality. This SEMA new product award is an affirmation that we’re on the right track with our focus on new product development.”

In fact, CURT showcased several exciting new products at SEMA including the Rebellion XD Cushion Ball Mount, which we’ve highlighted here on the blog before, as well as an aluminum hitch cargo carrier and an aluminum cargo carrier with integrated ramp. CURT also showed off its universal roof rack crossbars and roof rack kayak holders.

But it was the BetterWeigh™ Mobile Towing Scale with its unique TowSense™ that took the prize—and rightly so. Wireless, compact, and portable, this is some revolutionary towing technology, ideally suited for the smartphone age. And while you likely understand the basics of how it works, let’s break down some of the cool features that really make it shine.

First, What Is TowSense?

Basically, TowSense™ technology consists of an accelerometer that measures changes in the velocity and pitch of your vehicle. “It uses this data to calculate weights associated with towing and hauling,” explains CURT. “Armed with TowSense™ technology, BetterWeigh™ wirelessly connects to your Apple or Android phone to display the weight of the vehicle, trailer, cargo/payload, tongue weight, pin weight, weight distribution and trailer brake gain.”

Essentially, BetterWeigh™ uses measurements of force and acceleration to calculate the weight of your vehicle, trailer, and cargo. “With the unit calibrated, it can measure real-time weight while driving or at a standstill, and at any upward or downward grade,” adds CURT.

A Safer Towing Experience

We all know that an overloaded vehicle is a dangerous vehicle—both to the occupants and literally everyone else on the road. The BetterWeigh™ Mobile Towing Scale lets you compare tongue weight to total trailer weight in order to verify that the trailer is properly loaded. Plus, the app’s truck payload calculator allows you to see how your cargo weight is changing in real time, as you’re loading up the vehicle or unloading at the dump station.

Additionally, the BetterWeigh’s™ Pin Weight feature operates as a trailer tongue scale for gooseneck and 5th wheel trailers by ensuring that the vertical load is within the hitch and vehicle’s rated capacities. An automatic weight distribution calculator verifies that your hitch is set up correctly, eliminating the need for tape measures. The app also takes the guesswork out of brake controller setup by calculating trailer brake gain through the TowSense™ technology and a simple 15-mph start-stop test.

BetterWeigh™ Installation

Not only is the BetterWeigh™ Mobile Towing Scale easy to use, it’s also incredibly easy to set up.

1. Plug it in: Plug the BetterWeigh™ unit into your vehicle’s diagnostic port (OBD-II) below the steering wheel.
2. Pair your phone: Download the free BetterWeigh™ app from the App Store. (This is the only time you’ll actually need Internet connection for installing or using the product.) Check that Bluetooth is enabled on your phone, then open the app and connect.
3. Calibrate: The last step is to calibrate the BetterWeigh™. The app will send you through a few simple steps, during which you’ll have to enter your vehicle’s VIN. “If your vehicle is not in our database or has been changed from its factory condition, i.e. change in tire size, axle ratio change, non-stock torque converter, aftermarket suspension, etc…, manual calibration will be necessary,” explains CURT. Also, it is recommended to do a re-calibration if any modifications have been done from stock, including installing additional accessories to the interior or exterior of your vehicle.

Uhh, and that’s literally it, guys. It’s that simple. CURT states that the BetterWeigh™ Mobile Towing Scale is about 95% accurate, putting it in the range of other automotive gauges and trailer hitch scales. Unlike other products, however, it sports an incredibly budget-friendly MSRP of $130.

Common Concerns

If you’re worried that the BetterWeigh™ won’t work with your suspension mods, CURT explains that in almost every case, the unit will operate just fine. “Usually the suspension modification needs to be turned off (or airbags put to lowest PSI), then the vehicle can be calibrated.”

Additionally, while the BetterWeigh™ can stay plugged in all the time, if you use a tuner, you’ll just have to plug them in at different times. Since your BetterWeigh™ settings are saved in the app, you don’t have to worry about going through a whole new setup if you unplug the unit to install your tuner.

While the BetterWeigh™ does not display weight on the axles, it does have a Weight Distribution feature that shows how extra trailer weight is distributed. “It works when parked, with the weight distribution system engaged,” explains CURT.

With a premium towing brand like CURT behind the wheel (well, below the wheel), you can drive easy knowing that your setup is safe and secure. CURT prides itself on manufacturing products that help you get the job done right—the first time.