Legal limit?

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Can anyone tell me what the combined legal limit is for my truck? Thanks

 

[AMink]

It's 16K with 3. 54's and 18K with 4. 10's, with a max trailer weight of 11,900 for the 5 speed manual. You'll run out of Combined weight before you hit max trailer weight. Auto is 10,000 (3. 54) and 11,900 (4. 10) and 16 and 18 combined. Max tongue weight is 900, GVWR is 8800.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Oooohhhhh, that's NOT what I wanted to hear!! :-laf

I just weighed my combo the other day, I guess I'm a little high.

 

[AMink]

That's straight out of the 97 owner's manual. I know what you mean... I have the auto with 3. 54's!

 

[GAmes]

Can anyone tell me what the combined legal limit is for my truck? Thanks

The max manufacturer's GCWR is what AMink listed. My owners manual shows max trailer weight rating of 11, 900 for both rear end ratios and both trannys. If the trailer weighs more than 10,000 it must be a 5th whl hitch (My stock receiver was limited to 10,000 with W/D bars and I imagine yours is too). However the max LEGAL combined weight is the total of the GVWRs of the pickup and trailer combined as long as neither is exceeded.

 

[AMink]

However the max LEGAL combined weight is the total of the GVWRs of the pickup and trailer combined as long as neither is exceeded.

So if your truck weighs in at 8800 and your trailer is 11,900 (g/n or 5er), that would be legal at 20,700? Even though the manual says "When towing a trailer, maximum GCWR must not be exceeded. " I'm not trying to start anything, just curious as to whether the above statement is legal according to DOT. I also realize that Dodge's numbers are most likely conservative.

 

[klenger]

GCWR is basically an unpublished number, and has no legal implications. The number is used by the vehicle manufactures to prevent damage to the vehicle, thus preventing warranty claims. Note that the GCWR is not shown on the door sticker. Mine is not even shown in the owner's manual. It can be found in the towing guide, and sometimes on the Dodge website when the model year vehicle is being sold, but the number is not published anywhere where the "weight police" can access it.

 

[nps]

Make sure you don't exceed the axle ratings and you'll be good from a legal standpoint.

 

[GAmes]

So if your truck weighs in at 8800 and your trailer is 11,900 (g/n or 5er), that would be legal at 20,700? Even though the manual says "When towing a trailer, maximum GCWR must not be exceeded. "

Actually, if your truck weighs 8800 and you are pulling a 5er with a GVWR of 17,000 and it weighs 17,000 you are legal as far as DOT is concerned. It will excelerate the wear on your truck, for sure. I'm on my 5th transmission and I'm rarely over 22,000 total. A couple of those I can blame on the installer, but I have definitely worn out two. There are guys on this forum who pull more than 30,000 on a regular basis and cross DOT scales every day. The trick is to load the trailer properly and drive accordingly.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

OK, in plain mans english, up to what weight am I DOT legal?

 

[GAmes]

OK, in plain mans english, up to what weight am I DOT legal?

If you are not commercial you can pull any combo (truck & trailer) at any weight as long as you don't exceed the GVWR of the truck or trailer, the axle ratings or the weight ratings of the tires. If you are commercial and the GVWR of the trailer is more than 10,000 and the combined GVWRs total more than 26,000 you need a CDL. If you have a CDL then you can not exceed the GVWRs. In addition to that there are registration weights that vary state to state. For instance, in Oregon pick-ups are registered as passenger vehicles and have no weight restrictions, where as a lot of eastern states allow you to register for a multitude of weights depending on how much you are willing to pay. Clear as mud???? Check with your local DMV, but be aware that if you are not commercial then probably the only time you will have a clash with DOT is if you have a wreck. Oh, I am just a driver, not a scumbag lawyer. Opinions may vary.

 

[Gaylord]

Out here in the land of the granola culture (you know, the land of the fruits, flakes & nuts) i. e. California, things are pretty clear, MAYBE!

If you pull a standard pull trailer (non 5th whl & non goose neck) that has a mfg's GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more, you need a CDL. Doesn't matter if it's an RV, cargo or boat trailer.

If you pull an RV that is 5th wheel you are allowed to go to 15,000. Over this you need a CDL.

Any trailer that is loaded over the mfg's GVWR, axel ratings, tire ratings, hitch ratings etc. is subject to fines and/or decist operation rules. Same goes for the pull tractor/truck axel/tire ratings if they are exceeded by use of a 5th whl or goose neck hitch.

In general, if you are non-commercial, you do not have to stop at the scales and these rules are not always enforced. The CHP (California Highway Patrol) is VERY skilled at determining what the GVWR is for most trailers, be they RV, boat or cargo, and make many stops to determine the mfg's GVWR & if the driver has the proper license.

Vehicle registration is another issue. If it's a P/U truck, designed to carry cargo, it's registered commercially (i. e. weight fees) even though it's NOT a commercial vehicle by code definition. Trailers, be they RV, cargo, boat etc. have rules all their own that seem to defy logic. See why I said Maybe!

As GAmes said, you need to check with your state's DMV or Highway Patrol as this is not universal from state to state. HTH

Oh! I'm not a lawyer nor do I play one on TV. I'm just a retired guy that pulls a large heavy boat with a Class 1 CDL. Yes I have been stopped. Trailer GVWR 14,500 and sent on my merry way after my CDL & medical certificate were checked. DAMHIK

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I travel alot, not in one state for too long. I have a class A CDL and current medical card. I'm still over weight tho.

 

[BigEasy]

If you pull a standard pull trailer (non 5th whl & non goose neck) that has a mfg's GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more, you need a CDL. Doesn't matter if it's an RV, cargo or boat trailer. If you pull an RV that is 5th wheel you are allowed to go to 15,000. Over this you need a CDL.



In general, if you are non-commercial, you do not have to stop at the scales and these rules are not always enforced.

He's right... I got stopped last week. It doesn't matter if you're commercial or not, if you're trailer is over 10k, you MUST have a CDL and physical card.

 

[AMink]

He's right... I got stopped last week. It doesn't matter if you're commercial or not, if you're trailer is over 10k, you MUST have a CDL and physical card.

What if you're from a state that doesn't require CDL and physical card? Are you supposed to get one? And from what state? This is one area where all licensing should be the same. It's insane that state to state laws vary so much. You need to travel with a lawyer to see if you're legal or not!

 

[MMeier]

I travel alot, not in one state for too long. I have a class A CDL and current medical card. I'm still over weight tho.

Mr. Good looking VW!! :-laf Just add up your trucks GVWR and your trailers and register the truck for that weight. Believe it or not my silver dually that you guys saw week before last is registered at 34, 200# in 10 states!!

 

[PatrickCampbell]

What if you're from a state that doesn't require CDL and physical card? Are you supposed to get one? And from what state? This is one area where all licensing should be the same. It's insane that state to state laws vary so much. You need to travel with a lawyer to see if you're legal or not!

Great point.



As far as I know (and this may NOT be correct), if my licensing state does not require a CDL for it, even if I am driving through another state that requires a CDL then I am still legal.



I believe NC is one of those states where >10,000 lbs trailer weight requires a CDL. I can drive through NC with my 19,000 lbs car hauler and be legal. I think.



If I tried to get a CDL with my truck/trailer, NJ DMV would NOT let me. My GCWR isn't heavy enough!

 

[BigEasy]

What if you're from a state that doesn't require CDL and physical card?

I was told that this is federal... not a state issue.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

If I tried to get a CDL with my truck/trailer, NJ DMV would NOT let me. My GCWR isn't heavy enough!

You can still get a CDL. Then maybe you'd be legal everywhere!? Maybe?

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Mr. Good looking VW!! :-laf Just add up your trucks GVWR and your trailers and register the truck for that weight. Believe it or not my silver dually that you guys saw week before last is registered at 34, 200# in 10 states!!

What if the weight totals are over the manufacturer or DOT limits?