Drove all three - Ford, Chevy, Dodge

[RonD]

I think anyone planning on buying one of these new trucks should drive all of them, I am buying a 2012 from someone, I have sat in a new Dodge, the looks are good, I understand the ride has improved, my current 05 rides fine also, I like the new dash, I like Cummins, I hope they upgrade the engine for more power, and economy, I don't like the hard seats, and the thin leather, nor the flip up mirrors. I drove a friends 2010 GMC, the looks are OK, the interior is dated, looks like a 2004 to me, the power is good, trans is great, I drove a 2011 Ford F35 Dually pulling a friends 5th wheel, with him with me, his trailer is about 14,000 pounds, LA to Sacramento, Grape Vine 60 mph 4th gear, a non event. I don't care for the Rear fenders, nor the huge grill, but everything else is wonderfully, we averaged 13. 3 mpg, I was doing about 60-62 mph, my current 05 gets about 11. 25, same trip. So next year I hope to see a new Dodge with some improvements, major ones, like the proposed 8 speed trans, and a new emissions system like the other two have, a little more interior upgrading, but I for sure will drive all of them, I have zero loyalty to any auto manufacture, owned them all at one point.

 

[AHolbert]

PLefever, I understand where your coming from but you are either very misguided or naive. I would not want to be in a position of having to defend myself in a court of law because I was involved in an accident while exceeding the GCWR of my vehicle. As operators of motor vehicles, we have an obligation to operate our vehicles in a safe and prudent manner thereby resonably safeguarding ourselves and others that we share the road with. Knowingly operating my truck while substantially exceeding manufacturer weight limits is something I just do not want to do because of the potential liability involved in case of an accident. There are valid reasons behind these limitations and I for one do not want to take the chance of injuring or killing someone because I mistakenly chose to disregard those approved of limitations. It's not a nuisance ticket for being over GCWR that I'm concerned about,,,,,,,it's the potential liability if something goes wrong that concerns me... ... ... ... It does seem rather arbitrary, the lower GCWR's of our Ram's compared to other manufacturer's trucks but I'm still not going to spend my hard-earned dollars on a truck that's not rated to do what I need it to. Even though I know the CTD Ram is more than capable of doing what I need it to. I know for a fact that I'm not the only person that is concerned about exceeding manufacturer weight limits.

 

[Dutch & Di]

Very well said. I agree 100%. Diana

PLefever, I understand where your coming from but you are either very misguided or naive. I would not want to be in a position of having to defend myself in a court of law because I was involved in an accident while exceeding the GCWR of my vehicle. As operators of motor vehicles, we have an obligation to operate our vehicles in a safe and prudent manner thereby resonably safeguarding ourselves and others that we share the road with. Knowingly operating my truck while substantially exceeding manufacturer weight limits is something I just do not want to do because of the potential liability involved in case of an accident. There are valid reasons behind these limitations and I for one do not want to take the chance of injuring or killing someone because I mistakenly chose to disregard those approved of limitations. It's not a nuisance ticket for being over GCWR that I'm concerned about,,,,,,,it's the potential liability if something goes wrong that concerns me... ... ... ... It does seem rather arbitrary, the lower GCWR's of our Ram's compared to other manufacturer's trucks but I'm still not going to spend my hard-earned dollars on a truck that's not rated to do what I need it to. Even though I know the CTD Ram is more than capable of doing what I need it to. I know for a fact that I'm not the only person that is concerned about exceeding manufacturer weight limits.

 

[Simplysmn]

from what I understand we will Not see a 8 sp auto in 2012

 

[Cummins Ag]

PLefever, I understand where your coming from but you are either very misguided or naive. I would not want to be in a position of having to defend myself in a court of law because I was involved in an accident while exceeding the GCWR of my vehicle. As operators of motor vehicles, we have an obligation to operate our vehicles in a safe and prudent manner thereby resonably safeguarding ourselves and others that we share the road with. Knowingly operating my truck while substantially exceeding manufacturer weight limits is something I just do not want to do because of the potential liability involved in case of an accident. There are valid reasons behind these limitations and I for one do not want to take the chance of injuring or killing someone because I mistakenly chose to disregard those approved of limitations. It's not a nuisance ticket for being over GCWR that I'm concerned about,,,,,,,it's the potential liability if something goes wrong that concerns me... ... ... ... It does seem rather arbitrary, the lower GCWR's of our Ram's compared to other manufacturer's trucks but I'm still not going to spend my hard-earned dollars on a truck that's not rated to do what I need it to. Even though I know the CTD Ram is more than capable of doing what I need it to. I know for a fact that I'm not the only person that is concerned about exceeding manufacturer weight limits.

AHolbert:



Oh get over it. In our neck of the woods everyone runs 20-25k behind single rear wheel trucks. Dodge has the long-term durable drivetrain. Ford carries the weight better without requiring modification.



I would suggest you not call those cowboys "very misguided or naive" just because you are uncomfortable running a loaded truck.



Best stay on the porch.



-mike

 

[HBarlow]

PLefever, I understand where your coming from but you are either very misguided or naive. I would not want to be in a position of having to defend myself in a court of law because I was involved in an accident while exceeding the GCWR of my vehicle. As operators of motor vehicles, we have an obligation to operate our vehicles in a safe and prudent manner thereby resonably safeguarding ourselves and others that we share the road with. Knowingly operating my truck while substantially exceeding manufacturer weight limits is something I just do not want to do because of the potential liability involved in case of an accident. There are valid reasons behind these limitations and I for one do not want to take the chance of injuring or killing someone because I mistakenly chose to disregard those approved of limitations. It's not a nuisance ticket for being over GCWR that I'm concerned about,,,,,,,it's the potential liability if something goes wrong that concerns me... ... ... ... It does seem rather arbitrary, the lower GCWR's of our Ram's compared to other manufacturer's trucks but I'm still not going to spend my hard-earned dollars on a truck that's not rated to do what I need it to. Even though I know the CTD Ram is more than capable of doing what I need it to. I know for a fact that I'm not the only person that is concerned about exceeding manufacturer weight limits.

You rudely accused another member of being misguided or naive without any shred of evidence to support your opinion. Nice speech but based on internet weight police rumors.

Can you provide a link to even one single case anywhere in America where anyone has been held liable for anything or even issued a citation for exceeding the manufacturer's gross combined weight rating?

No federal or state DOT department or officer anywhere in the USA knows or gives a damn what the manufacturer's gross combined weight of any truck is. It is a number about hill climbing ability without overheating or breaking a transmission input shaft, ring and pinion, or universal joint.

The manufacturer's GCWR is a number primarily intended to protect the manufacturer from warranty claims based on overloading their products. The GCWR is based on the truck's ability climb steep grades heavily loaded in hot summer weather without overheating and the torque handling limits of driveline components when full power is used to start a load on a steep grade.

You weight police should get over it. You are relying on internet myth and rumor to spread opinions.

 

[PLefever]

Dear AHolbert, I assume you are not a CDL driver, I find it a bit insulting that as a commercial vehicle operator that is subject to inspection practically daily that you should say I am misguided and niave. I stand behind my opinion based on experience and fact. Please tell me exactly where this valuable information is located? On the door with the dot info. . NO, on my title... NO, on my registration... NO, in my owners manual... NO. that is because it is a number based on the manufacturers discretion and mechanical failure.

I have checked my 09 dodge, 011 dodge, 09 duramax, 98. 5 dodge, 97 dodge, 95 ford and 03 KW and 07 Peterbilt. Not a single one has this posted on the door.

As for my inexperience, I am a registered DOT manufacturer, a DOT inspection shop, A registered UPfitter. I have been published as a contributing writer on trailer brake safety.

I have taught safety, and either set on or chaired numerous safety committees.

As far as defending myself in a lawsuit, I stand with the information above and 30 years of trailering without incident.



I do agree we all have an obligation to be safe,



Perry

 

[AHolbert]

PLefever, I mean't no disrespect with my statement regarding operating over max GCWR. I apologize for my strong words but stand by the rest of my post. If you're an upfitter or DOT manufacturer, you already know that GCWR is a manufacturer limit, not Federal, State, County, or anything else. My point is simple, I don't want to take the risk of being involved in an incident or accident while operating my truck over the max GCWR. We live in a litigation oriented society, and upon advice of my attorney along with plain old common sense, I simply wouldn't want to be in a position of having to defend myself in a court of law were I to be involved in an accident while towing over the GCWR, whether I'm at fault or not. Regardless of whether a lawsuit is won or lost,,,,,,it still costs time and money ! That is the ONLY point I was making. The potential for liability... ... ... ... .



Weight police ??? You guys are too much !!!

 

[PLefever]

AHolbert, you are absolutely correct that this is a litigation oriented society, and if you have a business name on the side of your truck makes you a target, which I have experienced (but thats another story). I am sure the manufacturers do try in good faith to give us a guide to be safe with. However when the tow capacity of a 3500 is actually higher than my 4500 (cab and chassis) I begin to lose faith in the almighty, when I have heavier tires, brakes, axles and suspension, tighter gears etc, which should in all respects say, TOW, but they factor in all kinds of things, and are not bound to giving a number that is max, min, or somewhere in between. That to was my point of GVWR since it is the only true common denominator between vehicles that has a federal and required tag stating what is an actual benchmark.



Perry



Best wishes and safe towing for 2011

 

[AHolbert]

PLever, Safe towing to you and have a great 2011 !



AHolbert