3/4 ton's must be great

[Casey Balvert]

Big Mike, you are absolutely, positively sure about that fact huh? Women have a way of finding out. Not sure how they do it, but they do. From a guy who has spent his share of time in the dog house.

 

[BigMike]

When I'm in my office on the computer, my wife says "What are you doing in there?" I just tell her I'm talking to my buddies. She's clueless about this kind of stuff!! That's why I love her.

 

[Kirwin]

I can't resist

My truck is rated to have a 16K CGWR. If I had ordered it with the 4. 10 ratio I would have had a 18K GVWR. If I hadn't wanted a 4 wheel drive my GCWR would be 20K with either rear end ratio, (even though by ordering 4 wheel drive I got the better Dana 80 rear end). My current trailer has a GVWR of 7K. When I weighed my truck empty, ready to tow, it weighed 7,390 lbs. GAW front was 4440 lbs and GAW rear was 2950 lbs with two people in the cab and normal trailer "stuff" in the back, almost full of fuel. After I hooked on the trailer, weights went down to 3,910 front and the rear up to 4700. That gives me a GVW of 8,610 lbs and my GCW is 14,490. Alas I do exceed my tongue weight limit of 900 lbs, tongue weight is 1220. I have ordered a new trailer that has a GVWR of 11,500 lbs. Now the hard part starts; if my truck were a 98 12 valve, it would have a GCWR OF 20,000 lbs no matter which rear end ratio it had as long as I was using a manual transmission. What changed from 97 to the early 98 model year until the mid year introduction of the 24 valve Cummins? Nothing! I have looked into this quite a bit both here on the TDR and via several RV organizations to which I belong and I can only decide that the 98 ratings were changed because Ford changed its GCWR ratings for the F-250 Super duty to 20K for all diesels. Am I worried about my truck handling the increased weight of the new trailer? No. Am I worried about emergency maneuvering with the new trailer? No. Am I worried that my truck will wear out prematurely? No. Am I worried about some lawyer learning that I am over my GCWR after an accident (whether I was at fault or not) and some how convincing a judge that if I hadn't been overloaded the accident wouln't have happened, and subsequently taking everything I ever had and every thing I ever will have YOU BET!!!!

 

[BigMike]

The debate goes on. I assume everyone is right?? If so, there is no answer. If a person wants to spend their time worrying about what some lawyer may find that would make them liable, they should stay home or buy a great big umbrella liability insurance policy.

 

[Kirwin]

Bigmike is right

Your right Mike. I am not going to not buy my trailer even though if it weighs 10K, I will exceed my GCWR by 2K. It just gets me when the manufactures change things that are not based on any engineering principle. We all know that the all mighty dollar is the only thing that really gets then to stop and think. We have the most capable trucks on the planet bar none for what they are designed to do. It follows that they can probably do a lot more if we just slow down and don't try to climb the steepest hill on the hottest day at 85 MPH with the largest trailer that was ever built!

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

All three big producers of trucks are going to always keep them under 22,500 CGVW. If they go over that then we will have a problem with DMV, Commercial licencing. Then we will have to pay weight fees and that kind of stuff. Insurance will go up. Tire ratings will have to increase. I for one have seen the cummins in applications rated to 50,000 lbs. If you got the brakes(trailer) then go ahead. CHiP's told me not to worry. I asked today at breakfeast( no not dougnuts).

 

[Joe G.]

Greg,



FYI. In CA you pay weight fees on all pickup trucks unless you have handicapped plates.

 

[jerryrigg]

Here is a point to remember especially if your the type that runs "overloaded.



Your actual GVWR and GCWR is really determined by what DC thinks the truck engine can handle without driving under about 45mph on the highway and the trucks ability to stop within a certain distance at a certain speed.



My truck has 11K GVWR, F-GAWR is 5200, R-GAWR is 7500 but wait that means if I max my GAWR's then my GVWR should be 12,700 why the loss... brakes,engine and lawyers.



If I stay within my GAWR's I should be able to hook up the frickin' space shuttle and pull it but I won't be able to maintain 45mph on the highway and the shuttle's trailer better have some incredible brakes or the truck isn't going to stop.



None of my trucks have a GCWR listed on the door plates, thus "technically" the law can't really do anything or blame you should an accident occur. However some states are working around this with a maneuvering drill. Don't quote me but Ohio comes to mind, their DOT will pull over suspected trucks with 5vrs and GNs, weight for the GVWR and GAWRs if your within the limits they then test them by having your truck/trailer accelerate from a stop to 25mph and stop again within a certain distance. If your rig can't do it you can't go until it can, either lose weight, add power or add brakes.



I exceed GCWR quite often, but I don't exceed GVWR or GAWR, all trailers have brakes on every axle and when loaded down I don't drive 85mph.



Common Sense, Caution and Observation will get you there most of the time just watch for the other guy, especially the idiot racing down the right shoulder to get in front of you...



-Matt



edit:

Forgot... Frame design/materials, suspension components also play a role in the numbers DC give the truck

 

[Kirwin]

GVWR Limits

Greg The limits too which you refer are different in each state. As a member of the US military I have been stationed in several states and each has their own take on weight limits. As far as your limit of 22,500 the 03 Ram is rated at 23K GCWR (1 ton 4. 10 ratio). So I don't think the manufactures are afraid of any specific weight limit for GCWR. There are specific federal and state laws that apply to trucks with GVWR greater that about 18K again depending on what state you are licensed in. As far as I know there are no specific laws the pertain to GCWR although there are some states considering enacting some as I understand. See the thread in the forum entitled how heavy can I go

 

[Pit Bull]

Now you guys got me worried My truck weighs 6900 lbs empty and I weigh 200 lbs, so now my GCW is up to 7000 lbs. Because of the snow we got the other day I put 450 lbs of sand bags in the back. Think I'm over my weight limit? It still drives OK What's a trailer, is that what these trucks are for?



:-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

P. B. ~

You'll be OK as long as ya don't use any of that extra-heavy red diesel in yer tank...

 

[Ron Bissett]

26000+1 lb requires a CDL in all states . Ron in Louisville KY is so is not :-{} :-{}

 

[Bob Cochran]

I think it reads in most states 26,000 + 1 and "FOR HIGHER".

 

[Greg Boardman-RIP]

I have also read in the Commercial Drivers Handbook for CA that if you haul a trailer over 10,000 lbs you need a CDL. Hmmmm?

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by Greg Boardman

I have also read in the Commercial Drivers Handbook for CA that if you haul a trailer over 10,000 lbs you need a CDL. Hmmmm?

Why do the people of Ca. put people in office that come up with these laws??? Half the people driving around Ca. don't have auto insurance and are from another country

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Why do the people of Ca. put people in office that come up with these laws??? "



OT to be sure - but anyone thinking the Democrat/liberal agenda is "best for America" need look no further than California and New York for shining examples of what those folks would love to see ALL the US operating under! This state has been dominated by liberal Democrats like 2 generations of Browns - Pat and Jerry "moonbeam"- and of course their diastant relative, Willie - now operating outta the Bay area... Then Jesse Unruh - and a whole boatload of similar liberals... New York has had a similar history - the same social disasters and tax/budget blunders and emergencies - yet the blind and faithful followers keep right on begging for more...



GOD, how I'd like to kiss this state goodbye - but the rest aren't all that far behind, as THEY follow OUR "shining example"...



AS I quote in my sig used in other forums,



"I'm a helpless passenger on a drifting, sinking ship of FOOLS!"

 

[hammersley]

Hey Big Mike

Your wife use to be clueless about this stuff - Not anymore!!!!!!!

 

[hammersley]

Liability??????

Try and put a larger Horsepower outboard than your boat says it can handle - and legitimate dealers, at least around where I've been - won't touch this one. I assume if the liability gets to be an issue - why can't your pockets get deeper and sue the outfit that sold you an unsafe trailer for your vehicle? Look I'm not sue happy - but it appears there are lots of room to pass the blame here... . After all when you can sue a lawnmower mfg for not knowing that the revolving blade can cut off your fingers, why can't you sue a trailer mfg, dealer for contributing to your accident???? I'll bet a lot of money this has or will be tried - and it appears to be a winner! Thoughts?????

 

[jonathanstarnes]

My two cents worth: here in N. C. I was told by DMV that 99. 9% of the time no one would bother you when you're pulling non-commercial. BUT, the moment you're in an accident and someone is seriously injured or killed, then the DMV gets involved when trailers are involved (i. e. State Trooper will call a DMV Officer). Doesn't matter if it wasn't your fault, the term contributory negligence comes to mind when someone else caused the accident and you're over weight and gross negligence when you caused the accident and you're over weight. At that point, the insurance company has the right to deny paying the claim. But he did say to read the "declaration" I received from the insurance company with my policy. They usually pretty much cover everything in the 30 page document. That leaves you pretty much with nothing after trial. Happy towing...