If they refuse to insure because of say 5% overweight then they also better refuse to insure if 5% over the speed limit. Trailer axles and tires are rated at 65mph and the weight rating of those same axles and tires are based on speed but who cares. The stupidity of the sensationalist, negative folks just amazes me. Can't drive 55mph, use all kinds of excuses to justify over speed which is more dangerous then overweight, condemn folks who overload by 1-5%. The credibility of some folks postings is much less then rv or car sales folks. Much, much less.
In California the CHP Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) will reconstruct and weigh the trailer and tow vehicle if they are investigating a multi fatal accident. They will examine brakes, steering, tires, the frame etc. and will reach a conclusion as to what caused or contributed to the accident. If they believe that an involved vehicle's ability to stop, turn etc was effected by being over weight, either carried or towed, this will be noted and perhaps acted upon by the DA's office. There really is no hard and fast rule and every incident would be judged on it's own merit.
Fortunatley most RV's are careful drivers and aren't involved in many at fault fatals.
Ken & Kris + Heidi the dog
Sequim, Wa.
2003 Dodge 3500 SRW 4x4 diesel
2003 Logan Wrangler XL 2 Horse slant load trailer
In California the CHP Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) will reconstruct and weigh the trailer and tow vehicle if they are investigating a multi fatal accident. They will examine brakes, steering, tires, the frame etc. and will reach a conclusion as to what caused or contributed to the accident. If they believe that an involved vehicle's ability to stop, turn etc was effected by being over weight, either carried or towed, this will be noted and perhaps acted upon by the DA's office. There really is no hard and fast rule and every incident would be judged on it's own merit.
Fortunatley most RV's are careful drivers and aren't involved in many at fault fatals.
You and Hook neighors??? Chris
My Rig
2001.5 2500 STD CAB AUTO SLT 4x4, CTD 4:10's, Bomb'd to Tow
2005 Cardinal 29WBLX.
campingken wrote: (snip)... will reconstruct and weigh the trailer and tow vehicle if they are investigating a multi fatal accident.
I would think any lawyer would be able to dispute any weight values derived from a reconstruction.
How much weight was added during the reconstruction (screws, nails, glue, etc.)? How much weight was added from atmospheric conditions (carpet/matress/cushions/wood/insulation soaking up moisture)? How much weight was added from picking up pieces at the accident scene that did not belong (highway litter, etc.)?
I came up with these questions and I'm just a dumb ole redneck! What are the chances that a jury would contain one or two just like me?
Bob & Jamie
-----------
- Don't sweat petty things ... and don't pet sweaty things!
- I can't be troubled with your business ... I'm far too busy tending to my own!
- Remember, just because you saw it on the internet doesn't make it so!
we should all save all these answers just in case otherwise i doubt any of them will come to our trial to testify.
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in
a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside,
thoroughly used up, totally worn out, loudly proclaiming---WOW WHAT A
RIDE!!!
me by 30#
DW by -5#
puppy 15#
rv right on
truck more than adequate
and the "most diesels tow the same" is malarky
the new 450 is a tow beasty
Robert and Joann, plus one rotten pup
2006 Cedar Creek 36RLTS, pulled by a Blue Oval Ford F350 Towboss, empty F/A 4620 R/A 4160 GW 8780
24040 rolling lbs all hitched up
Full Timed Retired since Oct 13th 2006
Retired Navy
I like to think of myself as chubby,,, not overweight
On a working vacation.
Husband is working.
I'm on vacation.
We planned on fulltime Rv'ing when retired but now job is taking us all over the country.
GMC Diesel
Bighorn 3670RL
I have been to trials where MAIT officers have testified. You best have a really great attorney and a team of structural and automotive engineers on your side because they will..
I have been to trials where MAIT officers have testified. You best have a really great attorney and a team of structural and automotive engineers on your side because they will..
I don't doubt you campingken. I would agree that they would have some pretty impressive folks on their side.
My point is that all the defense would have to do is introduce doubt in the minds of the jury.
Anybody that has picked up a basket of clothes right out of a wash machine knows how much weight moisture adds. The defense can claim that the evidence has been compromised due to rain or morning dew.
We've all driven all over the highways in pursuit of our hobby. We've all had the pleasure (or is it displeasure) of seeing litter along the highway. Who is to say they (the reconstructionists) didn't include litter in the reconstruction. For that matter, what's to keep the defense from claiming some of the stuff included in the reconstruction doesn't belong there (even if it actually does)? Again, the mere mention of this might be enough to cause the jury to question the weight values.
Now I can't speak for everybody but as for myself, I can understand moisture and/or litter far better than the technical mumbo-jumbo that would come from structural and automotive engineers. If I were a member of the jury, I might be pursuaded by these simple ideas.
I'm using a Ford F350 SRW, pulling a 38' 5th. However I'm not overweight. I probably have 500 to 1000 lbs to the good. I'm a farmer so I pull onto the scales at the elevator and check mine every so often. The trailer is aluminum frame, and designed to stay light, and still give us great room. I also carry a 6000 Kipor on the rear of the trailer which adds about 2 to 2 1/2 foot.
Trailers that are designed to be lived in will weight a lot more, but I only get to go our every so often so this trailer is excellant.
Offline
