How does DOT know my gear ratio??

[jimnance]

Originally posted by klenger

The axle ratio is not encoded into the VIN. When commercial trucks are weighed, from what I have been able to determine, they are only interested in how much gross weight the truck and trailer is vs the surface area of the tires. I don't think they care about the ratings of the vehicle, only the weight footprint on the road. I did some math from a NM website, and calculated that my truck would have a gross weight of about 15,000 lbs before it would be over the limits they were looking at.



BTW, I think the GCWR is on the sticker on the driver's door.

With a few exceptions, Class 8 trucks with trailers are limited to 12,000 lbs on the steering axle, 34,000 lbs total on the drive axles, and 34,000 total on the trailer axles. 80,000 lbs total.



Each state is a little different. Some allow higher loads with extra axles.

 

[GAmes]

Originally posted by klenger

BTW, I think the GCWR is on the sticker on the driver's door. [/B]

Nope, you'll find it somewhere in the fine print of the owners manual

 

[RustyJC]

It was also on the Mulroney (new vehicle) price sticker on my truck.



Rusty