GCWR problem solving help requested

[RCoursen]

Found a beautiful 5ver that I'd consider buying but am limited by weight. ( ya, 23,000 #'s like everybody else in my class) Consider these Stats for 5ver: Dry Weight: 13,150 Dry Pin Weight:2,730# GVWR: 17,500#, 2 - 8,000# axles, Drum Brakes. Had truck weighed: 4620# front, 3300# rear, (7920# combined). So I'd be obviously over about 2,500# using GVWR. Has 100 gal. Fresh water tank. Can cut some weight off there while traveling. Would feel a little more comfortable if they'd approve the exhaust brake for 05 48re. Now the question. What kind of problems, legal and otherwise am I facing? Thanks For any suggestions that aren't obvious to me. See truck profile, which should be below.

 

[GFrance]

People are overtowing every day. I myself was with my 3/4 ton until I traded up to a 1 ton dually. It all boils down to how lucky you feel that you will never be involved in an accident. Even if it's not your fault a smart lawyer could turn things against you for being way over your tow ratings.



Good luck & happy safe towing

 

[macdaddy]

Like GFrance said.



People are over towing everyday. If you have good seat of the pants driving skills you'll be fine.



Just keep an open mind if the BOOGIE MAN comes (an accident) and realize you knew in advance you were overloaded.



Hell, down here in toy box hauling country So Ca, you would blend right in. Last Thanksgiving there was this wingnut with a 40' weekend warrior being pulled with an F-250 with a lift kit and 35' BFG's



Mac

 

[Bob V]

I hear this all the time how you will be sued if you get in an accident if you are over weight. I feel the worst that COULD happen is that your insurance will have to pay 100% because you are at fault. I still can not find ANY laws that say that it is illegal to go over max weights. The only ones I know of are if you are commercial and are over your licensed weight or axle weight( 20,000lbs per axle) Look at all the people that are speeding, following too close, driving while impaired (sleepy), or have a defective truck (bad tires, steering, or brakes). Do they get sued?

 

[The Adjuster]

Bob,



Acually I work in insurance, and it is a real gray area, BUT, if the insurance company finds out you were "knowingly" overloaded, they can, and in some cases, have, denied an accident claim on those grounds ... soooo just be careful.



I think most people have done it to some degree at some stage in there towing life, the problem now is so many people are doing it varying states are clamping down on overloaded vehicles ... like everything ... "A few idiots will mess it up for everyone else"



Kevin

 

[nps]

Keep the TV and 5er on the same ins policy. Makes the ins co aware of both vehicles, and much harder for them to claim you 'knowingly' overloaded it when they were 'innocently' unaware. After all, they shouldn't have issued the policy on the 5er since it was 'illegal' - right?

 

[Eric_77]

You are looking at the Gross on the trailer find out what the empty weight is. It may be that you will never be near Gross with what you are loading in trailer or just be aware and take what you need and nothing more to keep you legal. if it makes you feel better register it for the max weight you will carry (not the trailer gross) In the future you may decide you need to be able to carry more or when you get new truck you purchase one designed for weight you intend to carry go with 2wd or different rear end/transmission if it makes a GCVW difference or makes truck weigh less.



FYI truck does not have GCVW listed on it, for legality keep axle weights correct



We have a utility trailer that the 92 can not pull (leegally)at full gross but the 96 and 03 can we just use the approiate truck for the load.

 

[RCoursen]

I guess that pretty much settles it.

I really appreciate the feedback guys. It was sure worth asking about. It was a nice 5ver too. But when they are nice that means they come with more/extra stuff and that jacks the weight up. I've been considering a Lance 1191 slide-in camper too and heck, even that seems to push the limit. It is like around 4,000 pounds just to start with. Appreciate the honest opinions. Bob

 

[PatrickCampbell]

If your truck is not a dually, which I am assuming its not? it is a little bit too much and you will be over the tire limits. I would not have a problem with the dually because you would be within the GVWR of the truck and the trailer...