3/4 ton's must be great

[lizzyhermit]

just got back from the annual (almost) holiday down south and saw a huge number of 3/4 ton trucks (all brands) towing heavy 5'ers with auto trans.

parked next to a gmc 4x4 SB towing an alpha toyhouse rated at 18k gvwr and it was full of toys.

another chap from oregon had a 35 ft carriage 5'er rated at 14k gvwr pulled by an older ford f250. in fact I only saw one 1 ton dually the whole 8 days out.

diesels were most plentiful.



I totally was amazed at the weights being tugged around by the under rated trucks.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I guess I'm a pessimist - but I think towing up against, or over the GCWR is asking for trouble on several different fronts...



Towing our 7000 lb setup with my truck as equipped might be considered overkill by some - but it leaves me with a substantial margin of safety I find quite comforting - either uphill OR downhill!

 

[Joe G.]

I wonder what an insurance company will say if towing over the GCWR and wreck?

 

[David Muench]

Something like this:



Or this: :-laf



Naturally, that'd leave you like this: :{

 

[klenger]

I asked my insurance agent about it once (State Farm), and he said that there is nothing in the policy that would cause them to not to pay, assuming that there wasn't gross neglagence (sp) involved. I know that that is open for interpertation, but I doubt that they would refuse to pay because of being over by a few hundred.



Has anyone ever heard of anyone ever being weighed after an accident while towing recreationally?



I'm not disagreeing about towing within the limits of the truck, but ...



Flame on.

 

[ronco]

I have heard of several incidents where commercial drivers were involved in accidents. The CDL drivers were overweight and were blamed for the accidents (not necessarily their fault to begin with). I would not want to be overweight when that happens. Anyone else ever heard of this before?



Ronco

 

[gperkins]

 

[BigMike]

I think this may be one of the most discussed topics on the forum. Guarantee you nobody will win this debate. I agree a person should stay within their limits, but what I have learned is that the limits are so arbitrary it's difficult to decide what to do. The sticker on my truck indicated a GCVWR of 16K. I called DC, gave them my VIN# and they told me it's 20K. That's about what I'm pulling and I have absolutely no problems going uphill, downhill or straight hill. It breaks well, plenty of power. I drive carefully while towing and take real good care of my truck, especially the tires. I simply quit worrying about the weight debate!!

 

[Fireman]

I still get a chill when I see a 40' triple axle 5er pushing a F250 down the road Glad I aint driving it.



Fireman

 

[DIESELMAN]

Now wait a minute, there's a limit on CTD towing weight?



Well I'll be dipped in ***** and rolled in horse manure

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

I pulled just under 26,600 yesterday with the 01'. The brakes on my flatbed will put you through the widscreen. I'm not worried Gary. 7000 lbs isn't even towing. My trailer alone weighs 6600. Plus my wife works for State Farm, last time we were at debate about this, she found out that state farm will pay once for just about anything... ... ... . anything I ask? She says" Even a busload of nuns, once. " Pull til' your hearts concent. Just watch the EGT's. Even with the box off on my truck I can hit 1300* easy. Thats with the HX40... ... ... ... ... ... .

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by Greg Boardman

I pulled just under 26,600 yesterday with the 01'. The brakes on my flatbed will put you through the widscreen. I'm not worried Gary. 7000 lbs isn't even towing. My trailer alone weighs 6600. Plus my wife works for State Farm, last time we were at debate about this, she found out that state farm will pay once for just about anything... ... ... . anything I ask? She says" Even a busload of nuns, once. " Pull til' your hearts concent. Just watch the EGT's. Even with the box off on my truck I can hit 1300* easy. Thats with the HX40... ... ... ... ... ... .

Even if your assertion that "State Farm will pay for anything once... " is correct, they will pay only up to the limits of your coverage. I doubt you have enough coverage to handle the busload of school kids your overweight rig just plowed into when the tort (civil) courts get through with you.



Rusty

 

[Steve M]

I weighed my rig last time out. The truck with me and my wife in it weighs 6900 lbs. With the 5th wheel on it weighs exactly 8800 lbs. Pin weight on the 5th is 1900 lbs and the total weight of the 5th is 10,040 lbs. I'm over by 940 lbs! My 3/4 ton is fantastic! Oo.

 

[clem]

If for no other reason think about having a rear tire blow , you will love a DRW. I know of to many roll overs that could have be prevented if they had the other wheel. You see alot of things ,but it don't make it rightOo. Oo. Oo.

 

[andrewkoperdak]

Ronco,

I used to drive a big rig. Being overweight in a tractor trailer is against state and federal laws and carries very heavy fines ( tens of thousands of dollars if there is an accident). Camper/trailer combos that are overweight is more or less just bad judgement. When a tractor is in an accident they ask for the scale documents concerning weight. When a camper is in an accident they just ask for your license and insurance docs. Being overweight is simple a bad idea all around. I never drove commercially that way and don't intend to now.

R,

Andy

 

[Steve M]

Clem, have you weighed your rig? A 38ft 5th wheel! I bet you'd be surprised! I'm well within my axle and tire ratings. I'm only over my GCWR of 16k. If I had a 4. 10 ratio rear end I'd be well within the GCWR of 18k. Mine is a transmission longevity issue. Not a safety issue.

 

[klenger]

Steve M:



At 8800 lbs, why are you over weight?

 

[BigMike]

Klenger, I think Steve is saying he's over his GCVWR. It's tough to do that and not exceed your truck GVWR. I know I'm over mine by quite a bit.

 

[lizzyhermit]

weight reduction

hey BigMike, a weight saving idea. Put the chihuas' on a diet. We drag 2 puddles with us... .

 

[BigMike]

I think the better solution is for my wife and I to go on a diet. I won't tell you how much weight we could take of our GVW, but it would be substantial. Glad my wife doesn't read these posts.