Weight Police

[Woo10-210]

If you have any payload questions regarding your TV, just ask the teck(sic) on the Ram forum. He'll let you know if you're good-to-go.

20190218_072201.jpg

[SmokeyWren]

Yeah, that was one tech. But not all techs are stupid. Overloading your tow vehicle above the payload capacity (GVWR or rear GAWR) is not a good idea if you want the tow vehicle to give dependable and economical service for a long life.

Of course, if you don't care about dependability, economical operation or longevity of the tow vehicle, then ignore the "weight police" and go ahead and overload it. If you don't like the "looks" of the overloaded tow vehicle, then modify the suspension to mask the symptoms of being overloaded.

[xrated]

Just thought I'd jump in here and make sure everyone saw my avatar picture!

If in doubt.....Dually it out!

[Woo10-210]

Originally Posted by xrated

Just thought I'd jump in here and make sure everyone saw my avatar picture!

If in doubt.....Dually it out!

Ha ha! I'm usually 'foruming' from a phone so I never noticed that.

[Old-Biscuit]

Pay attention to Axle Ratings / Max Load Ratings on Tires.
Go camping!

[Rhagfo]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Pay attention to Axle Ratings / Max Load Ratings on Tires.
Go camping!

While this advice in its self is not totally bad, it isn't good, especially for those asking to be sure they will be OK, or those looking for a new TV.
One should always strive to be within all ratings.

Personally I towed well over GVWR of our 2001 Ram 2500 for several years, always within rear axle rating and well within tire ratings, scaled often, but at my last scaling I was 1,700# over my 8,800# GVWR. I was towing a 32' 5er at 12,500#.

It really started to eat at me, not for being cited by LEO, but possible liability if involved in an accident my fault OR NOT! Way too many hungry lawyers out there now days!
While I would share my experience, I would never encourage others to do so. To encourage others to purchase a marginal TV to me is irresponsible.

Now days we see 3/4 ton TV with "Tow Ratings" of 17,000# and this makes many think they can hook up to a 17,000# 5er and go.
The problem is that 17,000# rating is for a GN flat bed where the pin weight can be controlled by how centered the load is over the axles.
With 5er you don't have that control, that 17,000# 5er could have a pin of 3,400# to 4,250# too much for most OEM tires on 3/4 tons. In addition that 17,000# is for the lightest model of that particular TV, so as the trim level and weight of the TV goes up the max tow capacity goes down.
My current TV 2016 Ram 3500 Laramie DRW with a sticker payload of 5,411# and a brochure max traile weight of 25,000#, well if I have my stuff my payload will be reduced by about 800#+, I have not weight since I moved my tool box and hitch to the new TV.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by Rhagfo

While this advice in its self is not totally bad, it isn't good, especially for those asking to be sure they will be OK, or those looking for a new TV.
One should always strive to be within all ratings.

Personally I towed well over GVWR of our 2001 Ram 2500 for several years, always within rear axle rating and well within tire ratings, scaled often, but at my last scaling I was 1,700# over my 8,800# GVWR. I was towing a 32' 5er at 12,500#.

It really started to eat at me, not for being cited by LEO, but possible liability if involved in an accident my fault OR NOT! Way too many hungry lawyers out there now days!
While I would share my experience, I would never encourage others to do so. To encourage others to purchase a marginal TV to me is irresponsible.

Now days we see 3/4 ton TV with "Tow Ratings" of 17,000# and this makes many think they can hook up to a 17,000# 5er and go.
The problem is that 17,000# rating is for a GN flat bed where the pin weight can be controlled by how centered the load is over the axles.
With 5er you don't have that control, that 17,000# 5er could have a pin of 3,400# to 4,250# too much for most OEM tires on 3/4 tons. In addition that 17,000# is for the lightest model of that particular TV, so as the trim level and weight of the TV goes up the max tow capacity goes down.
My current TV 2016 Ram 3500 Laramie DRW with a sticker payload of 5,411# and a brochure max traile weight of 25,000#, well if I have my stuff my payload will be reduced by about 800#+, I have not weight since I moved my tool box and hitch to the new TV.

Register the tow vehicle for a higher Gross Weight.
Now you are 'legal' and being sued is eliminated


Oh wait....you can be sued for ANYTHING even if not at fault
But at least you will be legally registered....


Stay within Axle/Tire Ratings...
Go Camping!

[Gavenger]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Register the tow vehicle for a higher Gross Weight.
Now you are 'legal' and being sued is eliminated


Oh wait....you can be sued for ANYTHING even if not at fault
But at least you will be legally registered....


Stay within Axle/Tire Ratings...
Go Camping!

So when I register for a higher GVWR, the state gives me new MFR stickers that indicate the new higher GVWR? Is this capability available in all 50 states? Is the GVWR only determined by the keys someone types into a computer to be printed on a label and not by actual science?

[mobilemike]

Originally Posted by Gavenger

So when I register for a higher GVWR, the state gives me new MFR stickers that indicate the new higher GVWR? Is this capability available in all 50 states? Is the GVWR only determined by the keys someone types into a computer to be printed on a label and not by actual science?

Nope. The lady behind the desk types in your VIN and the computer has the manufactures actual weight rating numbers listed. Derived at by actual science. Not an artificial number picked for registration purposes. I have a 2500 with a gvw of 12000. My state does not have a 10000 lb commercial/non-commercial weight designation. So the 12000lb is the actual GVW when the 10000lb licensing limit is not in effect.



BTW I can not register my truck for over that.

[NevadaNick]

F250’s registered for 40k lbs in Nevada to stay legal. The yellow sticker has no legal basis.

[Rhagfo]

Originally Posted by NevadaNick

F250’s registered for 40k lbs in Nevada to stay legal. The yellow sticker has no legal basis.

Well registration at 40,000#, nothing on a F250 will like pulling or carrying that kind of weight.
I would not want defend an accident with a 40,000# GCVW F250.

[V3600]

I bought a Chevy dually with a 5,000 pound payload so I never have to worry about what I tow.

[Cowpie1]

There are two considerations. When it comes to vehicle enforcement, a LEO is going to concern themselves with axle ratings and load on them. When it comes to liability, then OEM payload ratings should be observed, as an enterprising lawyer from the law firm of Burnum and Run will ruin your day in a lawsuit if there is an accident.

[Rhagfo]

Originally Posted by V3600

I bought a Chevy dually with a 5,000 pound payload so I never have to worry about what I tow.

I don't want to rain on your parade, have you weighed you 3500 DRW, ready to go camping??
I did that the other day me, DW, dog, almost full tank of fuel, full DEF, the STUFF in my tool box and hitch.
Well my Payload sticker states 5,411#, the truck weighed 9,950# and has a GVWR of 14,000# so down to 4,050# payload for the pin. Things add up!