Katoom: I couldn't get the quoting to work the way I wanted it to...

Brakes:
Probably a cost issue. Might have to do with air-actuation instead of hydraulic, too. On these Rams, it seems that the rear drums have been somewhat problematic, as well. The adjusters don't work very well in many cases. If you use your emergency brake consistently and back up often enough, that seems to alleviate the problem somewhat.

Plates:
License plates. Someone said that Dodge didn't relabel the truck as a one-ton because it would push it into a different licensing category, which is a problem that wouldn't occur to me since in MO the plates don't have anything to do with the way the truck is labeled. As I mentioned, my 2500 has the exact same 12,000 lb license plates on it that I had on my 1500. Same plates, same price, same everything.

 

<br><br>Sorry to keep questioning but I still dont understand what you are talking about with license plates having anything to do with the GVWR of your truck? My license plates just tell my registration number. Am I missing something here? Are these the same plates on the bumpers? Are you talking about the vin tags on the door jam? If so how do you change one from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton? I must be totally way off or we do things a lot different in CA. Sorry!

 

Of that I have no doubt! Back in the thread a ways, BoldtsWagon suggested that Dodge might not have changed the GVWR of the 2500s with overloads because such a change would push it into a &quot;1 ton licensing category.&quot; What I assume he mean by this is that a pickup might be licensed based on how the manufacturer rates it. For example, a Toyota Tacoma, being basically a quarter-ton truck, might cost $50. A 1500 (half-ton) $75. A 2500 (three-quarter ton) $100. A 3500 (one ton) $125. I don't know what state he's from, but I can see where some states might license like that.

In MO, the weight for which I license my truck has nothing to do with how the manufacturer rates the truck. There are simply license plates to cover various GCWRs-6,000 lbs, 12,000 lbs, 18,000 lbs, and 24,000 lbs. So if my truck by itself weighs in at 7000 lbs, I have to pay for at least a 12000 lb plate, or I'm illegal just driving around. With a 12000 lb plate and a 7000 lb truck, I can add cargo and/or trailers up to my 12000 lb limit. If I want to haul more cargo and/or a heavier trailer, I should tell the DMV I want an 18000 or 24000 lb plate and pay a bit more money. Again, has nothing to do with the manufacturer's rating, just how I intend to use the truck.

Car license plates are just that, no weight rating at all. Many people with SUV's and vans get car plates so they don't have to worry about the weight issue at all.

 

Thanks jfpointer for the explanation. That makes sence. We are taxed like that here, too. If you drive a 1 ton you pay more fee's. Only difference is we cant upgrade to a higher weight, that I know of. And I'm not sure anyone would want to since it means more money and we already pay a lot! And for CA doing things different, well you're right. Kinda Bss Ackwards. I do think that northern CA has a way different perspective than southern CA. I would be nice to see the state split in two so we up here dont have to follow southern laws.

 

[quote author=KATOOM link=board=4;threadid=16596;start=15#157874 date=1057710266]<br>I would be nice to see the state split in two so we up here dont have to follow southern laws. <br>[/quote]<br><br>Would that help with Bezerkley and San Fransisco being in the northern half, though?

 

I did some looking around with google and found that there are a number of Federal and state regulations that are defined with GVWR. The break point GVWR numbers are 6000, 8500, 10000, 14000, and 26000 lbs. These different numbers define safety, emission, noise, driver regulations and probably other things.<br><br>It looks like the the single wheel one tons are for 9900 lbs. If you are driving a commercially licensed rig and over 10,000 lbs (dually) you need to maintain a drivers log among other things. Over 26000 and the drivers licensing changes again. I believe the over 8500 defines a medium duty vehicle for emissions. <br><br>This is not an extensive search, I just looked for numbers where the regulations change.

 

<br><br>Nah, They get the boot, too. Maybe we could draw a diagonal line from just north of SF to lake Havasu. ;D