My truck is heavy...

[kenny61]

One of Ken's pictures showed a 6 ton label on the left front of the bed. Mark

We can use that as an unofficial weight till KLauber chimes in...

But for now we have a 12k lb trailer gvw with a potential 14,660lb load

9860 lbs with out water and...

12485lbs using KLaubers 1/2 tank and 7. 5 lb per gallon mix / estimate

He also has a 7800lbs truck (weight 1 year old) with a GVR of 9k that with trailer is weighing in at 9720lbs...

And a potential 24,380lb load (actual combined weights) if he filled his tank up with water

 

[kenny61]

Please chime in if anybody sees a problem wit the arithmetic thus far...


to be continued

 

[KLauber]

The trailer axles are rated 7K each even though the sticker says 12K. Found a nice 2005 dually with 105K miles and a 4. 10 rear... ... pricey, but its a longbed and previously had a GN hitch in it. To be continued... .....

 

[KLauber]

Klauber ...





What are the gvr or should I say max weights "stickered " on both the trailer and truck??

I'll look in the morning and post back... .



Ken

 

[kenny61]

ken ur axles are rated at 7k each but is there a gvr rating on the trailer?? I would like both weights if possible. If not please give tire ratings as well...


good night all

 

[NIsaacs]

Okay, we will use 12,000 lbs for example then for newer trucks. This will include the 2500 or 3500 dually. Maybe about 15000-16000 lbs for a gooseneck. Some times this GCWR is based on transmission type and gear ratio, sometimes not. How can the DOT boys keep up with all this? Keep in mind, this is only the Dodge Diesel 2500 or 3500 we are talking about. All vehicles on the road have some type of GVWR or tow rating, even the Neon. This rating can also vary with year and model.



I guess what I am saying, is, if you look/feel safe the stickers and tow ratings don't mean much. We all as individuals, modify our trucks from pre-set standards to do more with less, to satisfy our own comfort level.



Nick

 

[NIsaacs]

I will use my 74 Ford as an example. The door sticker says 10,000 GVW. Not sure if there is a tow rating back then.



I have changed out the rear axle with a Dana 70HD, rated 10,000 lbs, the front is rated 6,000 lbs (76 Dodge Motorhome). Does that now give me 16,000lbs GVW? My Goose Neck trailer was rated 20,000 lbs GVW. (tandem axle dually). I licensed the combo for 34,000 lbs GCWR and traveled all over the west for years. I received one ticket in all that time, for no mufflers.



Nick

 

[HBarlow]

All those details, GCWR, GVWR, etc. etc. mean little or nothing.

There are about four issues that matter.

One, the laws of physics. You can't exceed the tire weight ratings of the truck's rear axle or the trailer axles and you can't exceed the rated capacity of the truck's hitch receiver and drawbar. If you exceed those capacities for long you will suffer an equipment failure. Exceeding those weight ratings is also an enforcement issue.

Two, the driver can't exceed a gross combined weight of 26,000 lbs. for truck and trailer. An enforcement issue.

Three, the truck and trailer must be registered/licensed for the weights involved. Another enforcement issue.

Four, the truck and trailer will be commercial vehicles subject to DOT regulations. It is up to the state of SC how they enforce DOT regulations on intrastate commercial vehicles. If the OP crosses state lines all DOT regs will apply.

 

[Mark31]

In questioning a former DOT officer (who has gone back to regular patrol), I was told in so many words, if a DOT car ended up by me on a 4 lane,"Don't attract attention to myself". My truck should not be "squatting", I should be able to start and stop smoothly, I should have my tractor 4-point tied with ("gold") grade 70 chains, all tires should look right, speed limits especially in crowded areas and around schools should be headed, following distances appropiate for the rig, all lights working and clean, I should look alert and not be distracted with a cell phone or loud music, headlights should not be in oncming traffic's (his!) eyes. The idea is to keep from being stopped. If you have enough license, tag, tire capacity, and a yes sir no sir attitude, you are probably on your way. Two more things and I think I'll do like another poster said and be done here. 1. I think Nick said this in a different way. Know what your weakest link is and deal appropriately. In Nick's case, maybe it could be his truck's frame? 2. Combine these: A If you goona be dumb, you gotta be tough. B. You ain't got trouble till you got trouble. Mark

 

[Road Dog]

I will use my 74 Ford as an example. The door sticker says 10,000 GVW. Not sure if there is a tow rating back then.



I have changed out the rear axle with a Dana 70HD, rated 10,000 lbs, the front is rated 6,000 lbs (76 Dodge Motorhome). Does that now give me 16,000lbs GVW? My Goose Neck trailer was rated 20,000 lbs GVW. (tandem axle dually). I licensed the combo for 34,000 lbs GCWR and traveled all over the west for years. I received one ticket in all that time, for no mufflers.



Nick

Up here (and probably down there) only a licensed truck builder can change the GVW of a vehicle (they have mechanical engineers to sign off on changes). A commercial vehicle inspector looks at the door sticker and if you exceed the GVW, GAWR (gross axle) or tire rating then you're SOL. They don't care if you added overload springs or heavier axles or bigger brakes. Licensing the GCWR is a different issue with different rules.

 

[Barry]

I like my Rickson's. Wheels are rated at 5K each and tires at 4K each. And while I have far more tire and wheel than I have truck, it does not mean that I want to try and load the truck to 16K.

Pulling a big LQ horse trailer to one of my dealers will bring my drive axle up to 6500 lbs pushing the OEM Michelins to their limit. On a hot muggy day, I was just not comfortable loaded with the OEM tires. I rarely, if ever have tire problems. And if I do, most of the time its on the trailer.

Like my dear old Dad would say, "There is no price on peace of mind".

It is important for folks recognize limitations and then remain within those. Some folks don't. Bring that closer to home. Our physical bodies are designed to carry a certain amount of weight. Exceeding that in the early stages of life seemingly has no consequence. Ah, but later in life, you are going to pay for it. Knees go out. Hips go out. All kinds of stuff starts to happen.

Same goes for trucks.

mi dos centavos.

 

[KLauber]

No weight problem now!

Fixed the problem by scoring a 2008 Big Horn Edition, long bed and 6 speed. It has 3. 42 rear but the creeper low gear gets everything going nicely even on the steepest hill here in Greenville. Harvey can sleep well now. Plus it has a GN ball ready for action on the next gen trailer. Gotta get some revenue in the door first... .



Ken

 

[KLauber]

I'll re-weigh it at the Flying J later this week and report back.

Ken

 

[FFeiller]

dodge needs to get on the stick and up-grade their trucks to be competitive particularly with the med duty 4500 & 5500, the dullies and med dutys are on the bottom of the big three in both GVWR and GCVWR.

 

[HBarlow]

Dodge is only ranked number three of three on the brochures.

Cummins powered Dodge Rams have been proven number one in durability and operating cost per mile for many years on the highways of America.

Where light trucks are used for high mileage heavy commercial towing such as the hotshot delivery or RV transport industries, Dodges rein supreme.

 

[HBarlow]

Fixed the problem by scoring a 2008 Big Horn Edition, long bed and 6 speed. It has 3. 42 rear but the creeper low gear gets everything going nicely even on the steepest hill here in Greenville. Harvey can sleep well now. Plus it has a GN ball ready for action on the next gen trailer. Gotta get some revenue in the door first... .

Ken

Ken,

Your new truck looks good and is a huge improvement. I'm glad you heeded the advice offered here. You'll appreciate the dually.

If your equipment choice influenced my sleeping habits I would not be sleeping well yet.

Unfortunately the G-56 six speed and 3. 42 ring and pinion will be tough on the dual mass flywheel and clutch assembly when pulling a heavy trailer. Save your money for a South Bend clutch and flywheel replacement.

 

[KLauber]

10-4!

Ken,



Your new truck looks good and is a huge improvement. I'm glad you heeded the advice offered here. You'll appreciate the dually.



If your equipment choice influenced my sleeping habits I would not be sleeping well yet.



Unfortunately the G-56 six speed and 3. 42 ring and pinion will be tough on the dual mass flywheel and clutch assembly when pulling a heavy trailer. Save your money for a South Bend clutch and flywheel replacement.

Already started a cash kitty for that and other things down the road. Truck has 41K miles and its warranted to 100K. Thanks for all the info Harvey, Kenny and TDR!!!



When I get a GN I will post some pics likely next year!



Cheers,

Ken



PS, I am in love with the exhaust brake..... WOW!

 

[AClayton]

That is a nice looking truck! All Dodges of every Gen. have little problems that can be remedied easily with a few upgrades. I have upgraded my truck and fixed most of Dodges issues and now have a strong truck that feels like it will pull a house up the mountain. My next upgrade is an exhaust brake as I just recently purchased a large RV for occasional weekend use. Good luck with your truck and if I didn't have so much money into mine,I would splurge and purchase a dually also.



Alan

 

[Barry]

Wow, good looking truck. Foxier than socks on a rooster! Oo.

 

[KLauber]

Its nice, all fresh and clean and ready to work!

Ken