in reading another post i see lots of huge weights people are towing. (30,000-50,000) is this legal? i have been curious as to what i can tow (legaly) on the road. i know 5vers and gn play a big factor in this. or am i limeted to what my dl class is (class d)?

 

1. My 3500 has a curb weight of 8,200# - max GVW rating is 12,200#
2. My 25' equipment trailer has a curb weight of 6,000# - max GVW rating is 20,000#.
3. Together (empty trailer) their weight is 14,200#, and their combined RATING is 32,200#, with the trailer RATED @ over 10,000#, I need (and have) in Florida a Class-A CDL.
4. I have the Dodge tagged (declared weight of truck, any trailer and load) @ 25,999#, which keeps it under the insurance requirement of 100,000 per occurance (which it would need to go up to 43,999#). So, per my "declared weight", I can haul 11,799# of cargo and be OK on my "tag", OK on my combined GVW ratings, OK on each individual axle ratings.

"Legal" means:
1) That you are under your combined gross weight RATINGS
2) That each axle is under it's maximum rating (which I have found is usually lower than the combined tire ratings on that axle...)
3) That you are under your declared/tagged (IE: paid tax on) weight.

This is different than
1) What the manufacture "recommends"
2) What the truck can actually safely carry and stop

For example, with the Dodge, I have the 100,000# limit already. So I could tag the Dodge for 43,999# with that insurance, even though the door decal says "12,200 max GVW", because the truck weighs OVER 8,000# curb weight, Florida calls it a "heavy truck", and thus one declares the maximum weight of the truck, trailer and cargo and it ALL GOES ON THE TRUCK TAG.

Since my truck and trailer have a maximum GVW rating (combined) of 32,200, that would be my maximum "legal" tagging limit with that setup, which is a small "bump" from 25,999#.

Per the Florida DOT - what happens if you are OK on weights when on a scale (gross and by axle), but you are under-declared on your tag ? The fine is .05 cents per 100wt over, plus you cannot move the vehicle until it is properly tagged. Ouch.

Illinois laws may be different.

Also, some guys run heavy only on occasion, and in their local area.

I have added an Freightliner FL70 so that I can haul my heavier "toys" with no issue from the DOT - every truck has its limits.