Saw a hotshotter w/ a 2nd gen 3/4 ton pulling a 20K goouseneck. He was legal - DOT number, sign on door, etc. How can he load the trailer at all & be legal?

I'm guessing that a 2nd gen 3/4 ton has a GVWR of 9,000 lbs, and a rear GAWR of 6000 lbs. If the truck weighs 7,000 lbs, & has 40% of teh weight on the rear axle, then it has 2,000 lbs. capasity based on GVWR & 3,200 lbs. capasity based on rear GAWR.

If he loads the trailer so that he has 25% on the ball, if he is legal he will be limited to 8,000 lbs based GVWR & 12,800 lbs. based on rear GAWR. I'm guessing that the trailer weighed 6K itself, so that would leave him with 2,000 lbs. for cargo.

How does he not get flagged by DOT?

 

Because they don't care! As I keep saying, they got bigger fish to fry. That guy you saw has probably never been stoped. In Missouri, they only care what you are licensed for, not what the manufacturer rates your truck for.

 

Don't they have to stop at all the scales?

 

They probably should, I probably should too, but I've never been on a scale in my life. You think I should stop.......................................

 

I can legally haul 12,500 with my 2500. I have it licensed and insured right now for 11,000. The 2500 has the same running gear as a 3500 srw except the rear suspension. Actually it has the same running gear as the drw other than the brake pads on a dually are 1/2 inch wider. Where I live with modifications to the rear suspension (I did air bags) the truck can be retaged as a 1 ton srw. I just went through this in another thread.

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=142393

 

I understand the differences between a 2500 & 3500. Just because you registered it & insured it at 11000 does not mean that the truck has a GVWR of 11000. Don't know about Canada, but in the US, I'm sure that lawyers would be lined up to sue you if you were in an accident & injured/killed someone. You mentioned that you could register it up to 12500 - to get there you would have to exceed the trucks GAWR & the tire ratings!

Not trying to sound like the weight police, just trying to figure out what the weight limit of these trucks is without getting into a risky liability/fine situation.

 

This is no different than a srw 3500 (which run the same tires as a 2500 can). Now if I was to be sued I am insured. The DOT would not let me on the road if this was not up to their expectations. Nor would they give me insurance. I know I was surprised I could do this to, but there is a lot of guys here that have re tagged their trucks.
The liability/fine situation was very heavy on my mind to. So I was very up front when I went to the DOT with a weigh bill from a legal scale, the camper was on the truck and I showed them what I was doing they said yes that is fine it will this much more $ to have a higher legal GVW. They also knew about the suspension mods I have, which is why I was able to go higher on the GVW.

 

How have never been chased down? DOT can get real mean when they have to chase you down!

 

Look you guys, most of those numbers on the sticker in your truck don't mean jack. They are recommendations by the manufacturer and a way for them to put a limit on warranty coverage. Your State DOT really doesn't care what the sticker says. As long as you carry the proper registration for the weight you tow/haul, pay the appropriate fees, and obey Federal laws they leave you alone.

 

Now that is what I am talk'n about. Thank you sir.

 

Wonder what Luke S will say when he gets stopped or ever is involved in an accident?? I wouldn't want his fine and replacement of the cars he's haulin.
I told him in another post he needs CDL,DOT,commercial ins. stop at scales etc....but he knows better! he's been hauling this way for years.

 

Let me add, that around here if you get weighed they will check axles and tires for enough capacity. And keep an eye on air pressure because they'll use pressure tables to prorate tire load capacity.

 

I know a few people that have not been stopping at the scales either. They are getting tougher on the small trucks and they will be checked soon. Seems like I get checked too often and everything is legal. Heard of one getting a $700 ticket last week. No cdl, medical card, insurance, fire extinguisher, or flares. Some get by for years but it is changing. They will find a way to get money from somebody one way or another.

 

Stick to the backroads.

 

i haul a race trailer with my 2500 will say 10000 lbs its less but its a round number i go to pa and race go past scales i have wondered if i need to stop ? how do you know ? whats legel whats not . dont want to go ask them / dont want to wake a snake you know? i guess just keep driving till i get pulled over?