I just got back for a trip and on the way we stopped at a truck stop to refuel. Saw they have CAT scales and put the rig on it. According to the sheet each axle is within their max weight limit and the trailer weight is within my max trailer weight, but the combined weight is over. The truck is the one in the sig, the trailer is a 30ft enclosed carhauler with full living quarters and a car. What's wrong with this? Can you not add all the axle and towing rates to get your GCWR?

Here's how it breaks down.
Front: 4080 lb (max. 4750)
Drive: 5460 lb (max. 6150)
Trailer: 11320 lb (max. 13550)
Total: 20860 lb ( max. 20000)

I used the ratings off the dodgeram.info site. I know my truck is a SO, but I have a Quad XZT, so I'm using the HO ratings. I figure the lower ratings of the SO are due to the lower power. So with the box it's right at an '06, if not a tad more.

Is it not possible to add up the weights or are the ratings just guidelines?

Thanks for any input.
JJ

 

Check out "legal limit to towing" your answer may lie there.

 

SO you have a 2500 with a 9000lb GVWR the limits as you call it have nothing to do with your gross, that is something that the maker of the axle sets.
Look at the sticker on your door, it will tell max and gross.
Think of it this way, the max is to keep you from loading to much on the axle.
Using your numbers of the rear max, 6150 that is ment to keep someone from putting more then 6150 of the gross 9000 on the rear axle.
Ever see a truck going down the road with the front tires about off the ground.... Using your numbers that would keep a 9000 gross truck from loading 7000 on the rear and 2000 on the front.
All in all it is to set a ballance for the truck front and rear....
YOu were 540 over your gross that a 2500 has, not that it is anything.
Hope this helps...
Jon