horton333 wrote: You can change the amount it can carry in many ways, and that is the question. The marketing numbers in the owners manual have no legal significance on this class of truck and have only a very loose relationship to actual capacity so it does not seem constructive to play with words.
Hold on just a minute.....!
From the Government of British Columbia (Canada) website: here
"What happens when a vehicle is loaded above its GVWR?
Vehicles that operate above the GVWR are a potential safety hazard because the frame, suspension, brakes and tires are not designed for weights above the rating the manufacturer has set. Overloading a vehicle can also result in increased maintenance costs for the owner. The Motor Vehicle Act Regulations of British Columbia prohibit vehicle operators from loading their vehicle in excess of its GVWR."
It makes no mention of penalties, merely that it is prohibited. Urban legend suggests there is a hefty fine plus you are required to reduce your load to GVWR or less before being allowed to proceed. That statement is subject to confirmation from anyone who lives in that province.
But keep reading:
"If my vehicle exceeds the GVWR and it becomes involved in an accident, will this affect my insurance coverage?
Your BC insurance coverage will not be affected. However, if the overweight problem contributed to the accident you could be found partially or totally responsible for the accident. This could result in an increase to your future premiums. If your vehicle's optional coverage has been purchased from a private insurer, you should check to find out the policies of that insurer in terms of coverage. Police may also ticket you for operating an overweight vehicle."
Obviously not an issue if you don't plan on driving in British Columbia, but to say "The marketing numbers in the owners manual have no legal significance on this class of truck" is not exactly correct.
BTW, those "Marketing numbers" have another, more general but substantial, legal significance. They are the weights at which the manufacturer certifies the vehicle meets all Federal Safety and Emission standards. Read the full text of the weight label on your driver's door.
Not one new model vehicle can be sold until that certification takes place. A LOT more to it than numbers pulled out of the air.
* This post was
edited 09/25/08 03:00pm by kaydeejay *
Keith J, Retired from GM Engineering
2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD SLE 2WD/CC/SB/DA.
1999 Sunnybrook 27RKFS Fiver
Bilsteins, Line-X, Westin steps, Prodigy, Retrax, 16K Superglide, 5th-Airborne pin-box, Multi-vex mirrors.
if adding a leaf spring doesn't change anything, why on earth would a 1T diesel Ram be any better than a 3/4T? Both the exact same vehicle, only difference is that one added leaf spring.
ALBE wrote: I personally spoke to our DOT in B.C. ,THEY SAID THEY ONLY ENFORCE axel,tirew ratings,you cannot exceed your gawr.
This is consistant with what I found when I spent most of a week researching the issue about a year ago. Other than heavy commercial vehicles (where there are lot of fines and penalties) or California saying you need over 4,000 lbs of tow vehicle to tow some types of trailer (details escape me just now) there is just nothing I or anyone else could find in the law books.
It there is something there then it is rare, since there was a lot of posters looking hard for something, anything.
As for the pollution and safety standards being violated and that catch all the big bad insurance companies will get you, well it is void when you change to another tire type, brake pad, oil grade or a dozen other things people do on a regular basis too. So what.
Now I'm not saying to be silly about overloading, but this question should have been answered on an engineering basis and not an emotional one; I figure anyway.
desert.girlie wrote: if adding a leaf spring doesn't change anything, why on earth would a 1T diesel Ram be any better than a 3/4T? Both the exact same vehicle, only difference is that one added leaf spring.
You peeps are so funny sometimes.
No one said it doesnt change anything. It was said 'It doesnt change the GVWR and GCWR'. Those are set by the mfg. Unless you resubmit your vehicle to them, they are not going to be changed.
I too have airbags and love them. Airbags can give you the adjustability to be in effect by adding as little as your lunch pail into your truck. Most springs wont do that. Timbrens will not do that either - they work only after your truck has dropped to the point of contact.
To the OP. Increasing your suspension will help you carry additional weight more safely. It will not make your truck an F350.
Bruce & Carolyn Wittmeier
Viet Nam Vet 1968-69
2001 Ford F250 4X4 OffRoad, Auto ESOF, KingCab, ShortBed, Airlift Airbags, DiPricol gauges, SCT-Tuner from DP-Tuners (40/80/120HP), Bilsteins, Reese Slider, Jordan, 2001 30RKFS SunnyBrook w/personal touches.
desert.girlie wrote: if adding a leaf spring doesn't change anything, why on earth would a 1T diesel Ram be any better than a 3/4T? Both the exact same vehicle, only difference is that one added leaf spring.
You peeps are so funny sometimes.
There is a difference between the 2500 and 3500 dodge trucks but i'm not going to get into a missing patch about it.
I have also heard of a shop in texas that can change the ratings on Fords and Chevys but Dodge will not authorize anybody to change the ratings that is stated from the factory.
CactusJohn wrote: There are no modifications you can make to change the weight ratings. They are what they are.
You can change the amount it can carry in many ways, and that is the question. The marketing numbers in the owners manual have no legal significance on this class of truck and have only a very loose relationship to actual capacity so it does not seem constrctive to play with words.
The specific question the OP asked which I was responding to was "...how much will it increase the weight rating?" I don't understand how my response is playing with words. I stand by my answer.
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