Truck Capacity?

[klenger]

The 4. 10's produce less stress on the drive train (engine to rear drive shart) at any given speed, because the 4. 10 ratio multiplies the drive line torque more than the 3. 55 does. Therefore, the engine, transmission, transfer case, and drive shaft don't have as much stress on them. In other words, the engine would not need to produce as much torque for the 4. 10s as the 3. 55 for the same speed.



The stress on the rear axle would be the same with either ratio.

 

[rob10858]

so somebody could take you to court for overloading identical trucks with different rear end ratios? it really doesnt make sense if you look at what our mnf gross comb weight is on our trucks. we've talked about this on other posts, and when you look at what most of us pull, almost all of us are pushing the limits. one of our 3500's , with aux tank and toolboxes, weighs in at about 9500 lbs. our average flatbed 24 ft 5th wheel flatbed weighs 5000 lbs. empty. that leaves us with 7000 lbs of cargo that we can haul. if you look at it from 5th wheel travel trailer, i'd say most of the bigger, more luxurious units are way past the "legal" limits of the truck. what ive never understood is how the distribution of the weight between a truck and trailer is interpreted here. look at the mnf's inflation ratings of your 3500 tires compare to the ratings of the tire mnf. the truck mnf ratings are 45-55 psi the tire mnf says 65-80 psi. according to the tire mnf we are underinflating our truck tires, and we've all seen what can happen there. i guess what im trying to say here, is that alot of what we see is smoke and mirrors, everyone just trying to cover their own a. . in case of a lawsuit. this weight thing that everyone is concerned with, may someday reach out and bite someone, and i hope its not one of our rigs, but in the meantime common sense should always be the rule of thumb.

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

I get the impression that manufacturers ratings are to protect the manufacturer at warranty and accident time.



When you go to a weighstation do they open the door to look at the numbers?



I think they look in their law book for leagal axle weights. . a single axle is only allowed so much . . a tandem is allowed only so much ect.



I have never hauled anything that required me to stop at a weigh station.



If you were in a wreck they would have to impound your vehicle and then weigh it... usually they let you tow it to a point that you specify... if weight came into the equation you would have to be obviously and grossly overweight before they would even check.



If you're in an accident that is due to obvious error of another party . . don't worry. If its a single car accident(brken part. . drivind too fast, ect) then worry.



What happens when you upgrade axles, brakes and tires. . do manufaturer's ratings still apply?

 

[klenger]

IMHO, weight ratings are created from two factors: What the vehicle can safley tow or haul, and what the drive train of the vehicle can haul without failure. Look at the ratings for a 2500 with a 5. 9 litter V8 gasser. Same truck frame, wheels, etc. (I think) as a CTD, but doesn't have the drive train to make it go. Therefore lower ratings. Not all tow ratings are about legal liability.



kl

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

the 5. 9 gasser doesn't have a dana 80. . will have a different rating. .



but if you took that truck and put a set of 1T dana 80s under it you could safely. . though slowly. . pull more weight than stock(assuming you upgraded the brakes ect)



the engine is rarely the limit of towing. . the axles and brakes usually are.



I would bet a 2500 5. 9 gas has dana 60's or 70's.



I doubt it would do it reliably but it could do it safely.



So, does the manufacturer determine the leagal GCVW or does the DMV?



I get the impression that the manufacturers set GCVW to protect themselves more than you.





FWIW