latitud_rt

I found out some interesting info that I thought I would pass along. In VA the maximum weight of your truck, loaded, is 7,500lbs if you are using standard issued tags. If you are using truck tags you can go up to a maximum weight of 10,000lbs, or more if you pay extra.

My 2002 Ram weighs in at 6,5000 lbs empty on according to the title. That means, according to the DMV, that I can run standard tags or truck tags. The cost is the same, $34.50/year I believe. I asked the DMV when I registered the truck which tags I should run and of course they said you truck "only" weighs 6,500lbs and therefore all I need is standard tags. Now that I have researched it more and found out that with 35 gals diesel, the wife, the 2 kids, dog, cooler and lounge chairs......I am running about 7,600 lbs 'empty'. Which means I am in violation of the maximum weight of the tags (7,500 lbs max). So I called the state police and asked them about the whole weight limit issue and they said that they see it all the time, especially during camping season and that they are pretty easy going on issuing fines but in fact "most" are running over the Maximum weight of the tags.

Needless to say I changed my tags this weekend to truck tags so I am not running a chance of being overweight. I hope this was helpful.

Tim

butchera

Tim,

I hope you left your registration alone.

If the GVWR of the truck is less then 7500, then you get the tax break on your property taxes. If the GVWR is 7500 or more, you pay the full rate.

I didn't know this until I got hit with a $1200.00 tax bill.

bulabula

VA sounds like MD in that respect. Both of my HD trucks were heavier just sitting in the driveway than the GVWR listed on the registration tag. My Ram is listed as 7000; it was delivered heavier than that.

I thought RV's were in a different category when compared to commercial trucks and find the Troopers comment "they are pretty easy going on issuing fines" interesting. Especially in todays cash strapped financial situation that many states are in.

You know, I've never heard of any camper getting pulled over for that kind of violation, but if thats true and the word gets out, I-95 will be a parking lot with RV'ers pulling VA and MD out of debt.

RATTLINRAM

When I bought my truck, there were a few other guys that got new trucks around the same time (all were F-250 SDs). One of the guys asked me,,,,, (more less ribbed me),,,,, about having "whimp truck/car tags". I told him that's what I wanted! ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, When it came time to pay personal property taxes,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, He knew why! $410 for mine and over $1200 for his.

Shovelhead

Same here.

latitud_rt

You are 100% correct. I didn't read enough fine print to realize that the 7,501 lbs rule disqualifies you from tax relief. So I guess its off to the DMV again to change my tags one more time.....

Dodgezilla

Luckily I knew about the prop tax issue when I got my tags. My last CTD truck was tagged by the dealer I got it from with an EW of 4500lb and a GW of 6000lb. It was a 98 Dually.

Shovelhead

Arlington County goes by the manufacturer's listed GVW.

Floorman

north carolina is almost the same except they use weighted plates. dont know if this property tax rule is the same but if it is i will FREAK. CT doesnt have and of this crap with reg on personal trucks. they confused the crap out of me here when i first registerd I changed plates as well when i asked her how it worked it was like talking to a wall

RamDan03

Same here...mine was listed in MD as 7000 on the registration card. Unlike VA, we don't pay yearly taxes on our vehicles. But it is definitely nice to have lower registration fees every 2 years.

Floorman

$100.00 every year here for 12000 lbs weighted if i did reg tags at 6000 it would be $ 40.00 used to reg in ct every 2 years for the tune of $ 275.00

latitud_rt

I went back to the DMV and changed my GVW back to 7,500 lbs. I contacted the local county clerks office to make sure about the tax relief and sure enough 7,501 lbs dis-qualifies you from ANY tax relief. So I will keep my "wimpy" truck/car tags......

Tim

Shovelhead

Be glad you live in that town.
In Arlington County, VA, they go by the Manufacturer's GVW, NOT what's printed on the registration.

latitud_rt

My GVWR is 5579 according to the title.......ha......5579, more like 6500, but hey if the title says 5579, then 5579 it is come tax time.

Tim