Ok, so I took new (to me) 5th wheel out on 3rd trip thought I'd stop at cat scales and weigh it fully loaded on the way back. Truck was 8180, legal by 330lbs. Trailer was 8780, over its gvwr by 180lbs, could rearrange weight and be legal except total combined was 16960, truck is only rated by dodge for 16,000.
Question is how many patrolmen would know that, and what happens with insurance, accident,ect.
Towing it is not a problem, goes great, stops good (12" trailer brakes) handles fine.

 

It's time to upgrade the truck and the 5vr

 

The GVW is the rating manufacturers have tested the truck at and determined it will safely handle at . GVW's are created for many purposes . Ford came out with the F150 to avoid installing catalytic convertors . The International GTX is rated at 25,999 so buyers won't need a CDL . Almost all trucks can easily and safely pull loads exceeding the manufacturers GVW but get caught at it and need warranty work and you may be out of luck . DOT inspectors are concerned about weight when it's over 10,000 lbs ( requires DOT physical and log books , driver must be over 21 to drive interstate ) or over 26,000 (requires CDL , IFTA sticker , etc. ) They also make sure you are not over your registered weight or legal axle capacity .

 

Thanks Rick
It didn't think anyone would notice as long as I keep tthe axle weights legal.

 

Rick is right. There are three weights: the GVW RATING (as declared for the truck, and the trailer, and further on the truck, each axle RATING), and DOT like to look at the GVW RATINGS. Then there is the SCALE WEIGHT - what your rig actually weighs, with whatever you have in (or on) it including fuel. Finally, there is your DECLARED WEIGHT - the weight you have paid tax on and tagged it for. These are often all different ! I went to tag my truck and trailer and provided SCALE WEIGHT, but the state didn't care - they went by the weight on the title of the truck (used - previous state), and on the MCO on the trailer, EVEN THOUGH THESE WERE NOT CORRECT, and the state clearly allows the registrant to "declare" the weight ! I figure as long as my actual weight is under my GVW RATINGS (as appear on the decals), then DOT won't bother me - someone may have an issue with my scale weight being greater than my tagged/taxed declared weight, but I have all the documents to show I was ready and willing to tag it for higher, but the state REFUSED. Also, Dodge has a "maximum towing capacity", which is yet another weight, taking into account your GVW RATING on your specific truck with its specific rear end ratio, and of course that seldom adds up to anything else either !
Since I run PRIVATE - non-commerce, non-commercial, my own goods always which are not for sale, I stop at scales as a courtesy, and have all the paperwork I need to prove my load and ownership - I have a CDL (A), and my rig weighs in (scale) at 15,000 empty. The truck is "tagged" for 12,200, and the trailer for 6,100, or 18,300 - hell, I'm not hauling cotton candy ! The GVW RATING on the truck is as tagged, 12,200, and on the trailer is 20,000, so by my decal ratings, I can haul 32,200 gross combined (far cry from 18,300). So I run around 25,000 scale weight loaded, so am under the 26,001 for CDL, under my maxium GVW combined ratings, but OVER on my tags/taxed - so be it. I have argued with the state until I'm blue in the face, sent faxes, have the names of ranking officers in the DOT (and their cell numbers) and have all my documentation sitting in a file in my truck, including copies of all of the state laws, and contacts with the FMCA. So, when(if) the blue lights come on, they can sit there and read it, or a judge can when I fight a ticket !

 

I don't like exceeding specified weights, but....

I'm not aware of any state that requires a non-commercial recreational vehicle to stop at weigh stations. Doesn't mean there's not some out there, of course. I do know I've been through most of the states west of the Mississippi River with my travel trailer, I've never stopped at a weigh station and no one has ever chased me down for it.

 

From this patrolman's point of view, I wouldn't worry about it. Much like we don't give out speeding tickets at 1 mph over the limit, we (I) would allow some tolerance on weight limits. In the case of a major crash (investigating those is what I do), there are many more caused by driver inattention, excess speed, and drinking and driving, than some RVer being 200# over his trailers GVWR. Pulling a load at 200# over GVWR doesn't increase stopping distance much (if at all) compared to pulling a trailer in the first place, which DOES have an effect on stopping distance. Pulling an 8900# trailer vs pulling a 9100# trailer, not much difference. Now, I'm not advocating pulling over your limits, I'm just saying there has to be some tolerance.

I would advise to just be mindful of the weight issue when loading up for a trip. When you're putting something in the truck or trailer, think to yourself; "do I really NEED this?"

Drive at the speed limit (or lower if conditions dictate), pay attention to the road, and enjoy yourself. Don't worry about watching for the blue lights in the rear view mirror.

 

Just make sure you are not over the axle or tire weights and you are fine. You are not commercial so none of the 10,000 or 26,000 stuff really applies anyway

Overall, you might also want to make sure you are under the combination of the GVW of your truck plus the GVW of your trailer.

 

I will check the weight of the tuck and cargo trailer at a commerical scale when we head for Texas. The state of AZ licensed the cargo trailer for 5999 even tho the GVWR is 7000, with axes at 3500. I am guessing the wight is about 4000 that we will be pulling.
Havent licensed the 5er in AZ yet as it is in the resort.

'Nuther question when pulling a trailer, do you have to reaim your head lights lower? Had to aim mine down comming from WA to AZ with the cargo trailer.

Davey

 

Seems like you would have to be squatting the truck quite a bit to notice headlight aim

 

Don't drive thru VA then.

Any vehicle with a gvwr greater than 10,000 lbs is supposed to pull thru the scales....no matter if it is personal or commercial.