I know it is frustrating to use short scales, but they can be just as accurate as a full length one as long as they are certified. I weigh on all lengths of scales because of delivery to several grain elevators, farmers' cooperatives, peanut buying points, cotton gins, etc. Some scales are shorter than my semi loads, so I have to weigh the front axle and then the rest of the load. If done correctly, they will add up to the correct weight. In fact, the Florida DOT weighs each axle on semis to check for proper loading for bridge laws.
If you have a 4 wheel trailer and only have the load on the trailer, you don't have to worry about a tongue weight and you can just weigh the trailer both times. Most of us have 2 wheel (or dual axle together) trailers that can put a tongue weight on the truck. In that case, you must weigh the truck and the trailer both times to get the weight accurate. Some yards will try to tell you that you can just weigh the trailer, but thekeith is right, it doesn't work that way. If a yard insists on weighing the trailer only, Tincankieth's suggestion will work, you just have to work harder to get it done.
With a 2 wheel trailer it is possible have a load that is balanced so that it puts all the weight on the trailer's axle and no tongue weight on the truck. Usually, the axles are a bit toward the rear of the trailer so the load is spread between the truck and trailer. I have actually had a few loads that had negative tongue weight due to the rear of the trailer being heavily loaded so the tongue was picking up on the truck. This is not recommended as it is dangerous. This situation can cause the rear tires of the truck to lose their grip on the road when the trailer sways and can put you in the ditch quick.
If done properly, you can weigh on short scales. If the yard doesn't know how to do it right, or if they know how to get you and do it on purpose; you might have to go somewhere else.
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