probably been covered, but I'm relatively new with TCs, so I'm hoping to get some leeway from everyone.
Finally got the truck, camper, and boat all together for a trip and hit the scales to see what it all boiled down to. The truck is 2008 F-250 w/ camper pkg. Camper is 2005 Sun Valley Apache 6.9se (the dakota one, I know). Boat weighs in at 3500 w/ about 300 lbs. on the tongue. I also had a generator with fuel on board. With everything, and just me in the truck, I was 500 lbs over the GVWR on the truck (front axle + rear axle, not including the trailer axle).
My questions are concerning the legal aspects of exceeding the GVWR on a truck with configurations like this? I know some guys here have to be pretty close if not exceeding, and some have got to be significantly overweight. I understand there are leaf spring upgrades and air suspension systems. What about insurance and regulations regarding overweight? Thoughts? Thanks.
This has actually never been discussed before and i appreciate you for bringing it up.
THERE ARE NO LEGAL, INSURANCE, OR REGULATIONS THAT PERTAIN TO GVWR ON A NON COMMERCIAL TRUCK.
Get in your camper and go have some fun and drive safe. There are laws that say if you dont control your vehicle you are at fault. it dont matter if you were putting makeup on or dropped your candy bar or you were eating ice cream reading the paper or whatever. if you cant control your vehicle you have a prob. Slow down a couple of mph and wave at a farmer
SPACE SHUTTLE
2001 4X4 ETH/DEE Reg Cab
Ricksons 285/70R19.5
US Gear Ex Brake
*NO CRUISE CONTROL!!! *
*MANUAL THROTTLE CABLE for 21.3MPG!*
*DRW WORST NIGHTMARE MONSTER TRUCK!*
Camper:
94 Lance EU2000
11700 gw tc+t.
Soon:
Cat Heat& MO BATTERIES!!
My opinion.
Don't exceed your individual axle ratings, and absolutely do not exceed your tire ratings.
If OK so far, and 'assuming' that you have the experience and sense to handle the combined vehicle, go for it.
Make any suspension upgrades that you feel make handling better, and/or diving more enjoyable.
Tires just don't have a lot of leeway so never go over their rating.
There are two "axle" ratings. One is set by the axle manufacturer. The other is set by the vehicle manufacturer and is often lower because of the springs. For example, your rear axle is the same axle as a F350, only the springs and tires are rated less. If you go over the vehicle rating, look at upgrading with heavier springs or air bags. Don't go over the axle manufacturer's rating.
jponder wrote: This has actually never been discussed before and i appreciate you for bringing it up.
THERE ARE NO LEGAL, INSURANCE, OR REGULATIONS THAT PERTAIN TO GVWR ON A NON COMMERCIAL TRUCK.
Get in your camper and go have some fun and drive safe. There are laws that say if you dont control your vehicle you are at fault. it dont matter if you were putting makeup on or dropped your candy bar or you were eating ice cream reading the paper or whatever. if you cant control your vehicle you have a prob. Slow down a couple of mph and wave at a farmer
Caveat: This is true for the USA, Canadian Provinces have different rules.
GAWR and GVWR are SAFETY issues not legal issues. Maximum trailer size and GCVWR or more legal issues because they pertain to warranty concerns. Come to think of it if you were proven to be exceeding the axle or vehicle weight ratings it could ALSO void warranty for anything the could in any way be effected by it. I guess they're ALL legal issues in some respect.
2004 F-250 SCREW Long Bed (new)
OR 2004 F-150 HD (85,000 towing miles) Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
But, there are legal ramifications if you exceed the GVWR listed on your registration.
Example 1:
2008 Tundra DC 4x4 SR5
Manufacturer's GVWR = 7100 lbs
Registered GVWR = 10,000 lbs
Cop pulls you over for speeding. He's thorough and weighs your truck. It weighs 9,900 lbs. No ticket for overweight.
Example 2:
2008 Tundra DC 4x4 SR5
Manufacturer's GVWR = 7,100 lbs
Registered GVWR = 6,000 lbs
Cop pulls you over for speeding. He's thorough and weighs your truck. It weighs 6,600 lbs. You get a ticket for overweight.
All the state cares about is that you pay for what's on your registration and do not exceed that. The registered GVWR has almost nothing to do with the manufacturer's ratings. You can't register a SRW pickup at 30,000 lbs. But I know I could register my Tundra at 10,000 lbs in Ohio.
That's fine for the legal begals.
That's not fine for structural integrity. Some on these fora insist that because the state will allow you to register your truck at the higher weight, that alone means the truck can actually handle the higher weight. YGTBSM. Worst arguement I've ever heard for towing overweight.
Tom
Wife, 2 girls 13 & 11, 2 mini schnauzers, 2 cats, a pig and a fish
2008 Toyota Tundra 4x4, DC, SR5, 5.7L, 6 spd, 4.30 rear
2005 Toyota Sienna XLE 2008 Rockwood 2701SS
F/A-18 Hornet 0-175 mph in 2 seconds
I'm always amused by the urban legend that somewhere near Medford, OR the OSP was pulling people over and issuing over weight tickets for RVs.
If you're going to make up a legend like that, at least pick a state where they any laws on RV weights. In Oregon, RVs are registered by length, period. There is no law about the weight of a RV.
You don't even have to follow the 10,000 lb steer axle limit, 20,000 lb rear axle limit or 34,000 lb tandem axle limit.
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