Payload vs. Axle load

[RVTRKN]

I have an 04 with a 38' toy hauler. I am 2000# over the combo weight, at 22,000#, but all the axle weights are OK. The pickup is over its total weight, but by axle weight it is OK. That is what I am most concerned about, axle weight. All tires and axles are within specs, I am not much worried about total weight, if the axles are OK.



BTW, I am hauling crude oil out of gravel roads in ND on the ice with a 03 Pete with 1. 4 million miles on it, pulling doubles at a gross of 115,000#, so am used to big loads.

I'm overloaded as far as the truck lables would be concerned, but I'm under on all of my axles/tires. Trailer 8850#, rear truck 8750#, front 5800# for a total of 23,400#. I've got the load of both the slide-in and travel trailer world in my case with my two story deck on the truck and a 35' trailer behind the truck. I have added the roadmaster 1 3/8" sway bar, modified air bags and tires that are rated to carry the load and have a good stiff sidewall to reduce side movement in the truck. I have no problems at al as long as I have good tires on the truck. I had some Goodyear silent armours on the truck and will never buy them again for the type of loading that I do. I actually offroad a little with the load and trailer when we go camping to get into the bush well off the roads doing some dragging in the process. I'm on my 4th dually and will never buy anything else as long as I'm hauling my family around for camping for the next few decades.

Then you are DOT legal, if your forced onto a scale. We all know the possibility exists, but as long as it looks to be within the weights, were fine, and the chances of getting pulled over are very slim. If your way over the GCVWR for Dodge (28K) and something happens, like an accident, the DOT inspection, Commercial lic/registration and insurance, better reflect the weight, and don't forget your medical card.

 

[HBarlow]

Then you are DOT legal, if your forced onto a scale. We all know the possibility exists, but as long as it looks to be within the weights, were fine, and the chances of getting pulled over are very slim. If your way over the GCVWR for Dodge (28K) and something happens, like an accident, the DOT inspection, Commercial lic/registration and insurance, better reflect the weight, and don't forget your medical card.

It's difficult to understand what your meaning was above but your statement contains several errors. It doesn't matter to me what you choose to believe for yourself but it does matter when you post incorrect information as fact. Other TDR members may believe the bad information you post and get themselves in trouble.

As you correctly stated, the manufacturer's rated gross combined weight is not a DOT enforceable weight. However, it is NOT okay to ignore the truck's GVWR with an ordinary operator's license. I'm not sure how AB and other Canadian provinces enforce private use RV weights but US DOT can and does consider GVWR and actual weight of the tow vehicle as well as GVWR and actual weight of the trailer to determine total weights in some states and in all states for commercial activity.

The 13 ton/26,000 lb. weight limit applies if the driver does not have a CDL class A but many states exempt private RV use from the limits. Private RV use is NOT always exempt. Many states now require a Class A operator license when gross combined weights exceed 26k. My own state of Texas requires a Class A operator license for heavy trailers or motorhomes. Many states are following this trend now.

A private use RV does NOT require commercial registration or insurance and certainly does not require a medical card.

 

[mpaulson]

I am actually commerially licenced for 25,740# since I occasionally haul steel that we fabricate around for my business. So I'm under my licenced weight as well even though I'm hauling privately when on holidays/trips. It's nice to know what Harvey is saying becasue we are concidering coming down to the Grand canyon in a loop trip this upcoming summer and coming back up the coast which would hit most of the western states. I've done this trip back when I was single a few times with just a trailer that was only 24'. So if you see what looks to be like the Jed Clampet on the road with Alberta plates, that'll be me. I don't go unnoticed on the highway, I'm a moving tourist attraction and my wife is getting used to having our picture taken as people pass by on the hiway or when we stop.