This should be a sticky here

[ib516]

Calculating Towing Capacity
Payload
Tow rating
Etc.

Really good explanation with an example and graphics.

VIDEO

[blt2ski]

I've been pulled over here in Wa st OVER my sidwall ratings on my tires. NEVER have I been given an over weight ticket! We get 500 lbs per inch width of tire, up to 20K lbs per axel, per the federal Bridge Laws. Also as long as I have enough paid for tonnage for the vehicle and trailer weight! If California actually does enforce what was written, the Feds could reduce or take away any Federal funds for maintenance or building of new roads.

I am not saying we should all run down the road over the manufacture engineered spec. That is not what the local LEO is enforcing. It is the POINT load the road can handle, per an engineer spec. That is the engineer spec that is enforced. You can four tires, frame, brakes etc that can handle 100,000 lbs. But if those tires doe not spread/bridge the load per the FBL's, you will get an over weight ticket, and will not be able to move your rig until you meet some specs!

The video does give a good example of how you should load, etc per the manufacture warranty limits! If you tow or haul over that door specs, this is where you may, could, will get into issues if something breaks.

Legally, at least where I am, the door sticker means squat!

At the end of the day tho, even if you meet the FBL rules, and your rig is deemed unsafe by the officer, then trust me, they WILL have you off the road, and it will hurt your wallet WAY the heck worst than being overweight. Being over weight is NOT a moving violation. But brakes that can not stop you within the stated field test standards, WILL net you a moving violation, a red tag at the side of the road, not to move under its own power, until brakes are fixed, or it is moved via a flat bed truck, low boy etc to a repair shop. Then it has to be inspected at repair shop by LEO before you can move your rig down the road.........

Marty

[smurfs_of_war]

Me Again wrote:

smurfs_of_war wrote:

Am I the only one that can hear the collective gnashing of teeth right now?

Call the weight police:

:B

[Me_Again]

smurfs_of_war wrote:

Am I the only one that can hear the collective gnashing of teeth right now?

Call the weight police:

[garyp4951]

Guess I need to go back to a pop up with my 2500.

[smurfs_of_war]

JIMNLIN wrote:

Please enlighten us on what you think is the info me missed and the DOT guys look for?

I've towed commercially *LEGALLY* for over 11 years and 1.2 million miles and have been across scale houses in a eight state area many many times.
anyway...Some states may have some type of weight (gvw/gvwr/tonnage/gcwr/gross) and others for registration purposes. Some states like mine has no weight for registering a non commercial vehicle.
....just like the California commander says in a email reply dated oct 2009 to a rv.net person asking Quote; (snipped for length)

"Q: “Many of the owners travel over their tow vehicle GVWR and /or
GCWR. Are there any state laws against this? Or does the owner just
take the risk if they wish?”

"A: The California Vehicle Code (CVC) does not contain a law that
specifically limits the amount of weight a vehicle may tow based on the towing vehicle GVWR or GCWR. There are, however, laws that limit the amount a vehicle may tow based on other criteria.

Section 1085(d) of Title 13 California Code of Regulations prohibits
the loading of tires above the maximum load rating marked on the tire,
or if unmarked the maximum load rating as specified in the applicable
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, or in a publication furnished to the public by the tire manufacturer. This would most likely happen in the case of a pickup truck towing a large fifth wheel travel trailer, as those types of trailers tend to transfer a larger portion of their weight to the last axle of the towing unit causing that axle to exceed the tire load limits.*

I trust this has adequately answered your questions. Should you desire
any further information, please contact Officer Ron Leimer, of my staff, at (916) 445-1865.
Sincerely,
S. B. DOWLING, Captain
Commander
Commercial Vehicle Section" **

Am I the only one that can hear the collective gnashing of teeth right now?

[JIMNLIN]

Please enlighten us on what you think is the info me missed and the DOT guys look for?

I've towed commercially *LEGALLY* for over 11 years and 1.2 million miles and have been across scale houses in a eight state area many many times.
anyway...Some states may have some type of weight (gvw/gvwr/tonnage/gcwr/gross) and others for registration purposes. Some states like mine has no weight for registering a non commercial vehicle.
....just like the California commander says in a email reply dated oct 2009 to a rv.net person asking Quote; (snipped for length)

"Q: “Many of the owners travel over their tow vehicle GVWR and /or
GCWR. Are there any state laws against this? Or does the owner just
take the risk if they wish?”

"A: The California Vehicle Code (CVC) does not contain a law that
specifically limits the amount of weight a vehicle may tow based on the towing vehicle GVWR or GCWR. There are, however, laws that limit the amount a vehicle may tow based on other criteria.

Section 1085(d) of Title 13 California Code of Regulations prohibits
the loading of tires above the maximum load rating marked on the tire,
or if unmarked the maximum load rating as specified in the applicable
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard, or in a publication furnished to the public by the tire manufacturer. This would most likely happen in the case of a pickup truck towing a large fifth wheel travel trailer, as those types of trailers tend to transfer a larger portion of their weight to the last axle of the towing unit causing that axle to exceed the tire load limits.*

I trust this has adequately answered your questions. Should you desire
any further information, please contact Officer Ron Leimer, of my staff, at (916) 445-1865.
Sincerely,
S. B. DOWLING, Captain
Commander
Commercial Vehicle Section" **

[DSteiner51]

JIMNLIN wrote:
I'm got some pico with lots of garlic and jalapenos...anyone got any chips ?

Gotta' show this to my area state troop captain so he can let his size and weight officers know they haven't been using the trucks GVWR to determine a overload condition. Jeez......and even the feds may have to ......maybe this Mark guy can break the bad news to the industry.

Seriously he didn't do his home work on what dot looks at when the truck is weighed for a overload. Just plain mis-information.

Careful now. You and Wadcutter don’t know nothin. The weight police have ALL the answers. Just the way the video started I didn’t bother watching more then 1/4 of it.

[Me_Again]

8.1 Van wrote:
I wonder how many flat-earthers would call that info a hoax since it involves math.;)

A wonder how many others here besides Jimnlin and myself have hauled loads that were subject to stopping at weigh stations and have read and understand the Federal Bridge Weight Laws. And know that a pickup truck is very hard press to exceed them.

Then the next issue, as I have stated is most states have tonnage fees that have to be paid. And it must cover the loads you are carrying.

Chris

[8_1_Van]

I wonder how many flat-earthers would call that info a hoax since it involves math.;)

[Me_Again]

john&bet wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:
I'm got some pico with lots of garlic and jalapenos...anyone got any chips ?

Gotta' show this to my area state troop captain so he can let his size and weight officers know they haven't been using the trucks GVWR to determine a overload condition. Jeez......and even the feds may have to ......maybe this Mark guy can break the bad news to the industry.

Seriously he didn't do his home work on what dot looks at when the truck is weighed for a overload. Just plain mis-information.

Please enlighten us on what you think is the info me missed and the DOT guys look for?

In your case you are most likely over the truck 9K GVWR. If your state licenses tonnage than you should pay for 10 or 12K to assure that you have not exceeded the licensed amount that you have paid to carry.

Looks like you might be OK to 11K with a standard plate for a pickup in your state.

https://www.in.gov/bmv/files/Fee_Chart.pdf

[Me_Again]

john&bet wrote:

JIMNLIN wrote:
I'm got some pico with lots of garlic and jalapenos...anyone got any chips ?

Gotta' show this to my area state troop captain so he can let his size and weight officers know they haven't been using the trucks GVWR to determine a overload condition. Jeez......and even the feds may have to ......maybe this Mark guy can break the bad news to the industry.

Seriously he didn't do his home work on what dot looks at when the truck is weighed for a overload. Just plain mis-information.

Please enlighten us on what you think is the info me missed and the DOT guys look for?

It is in my answer above. Federal bridge weight laws(which states repeat) and State Licensing for weight carried.

[john_bet]

JIMNLIN wrote:
I'm got some pico with lots of garlic and jalapenos...anyone got any chips ?

Gotta' show this to my area state troop captain so he can let his size and weight officers know they haven't been using the trucks GVWR to determine a overload condition. Jeez......and even the feds may have to ......maybe this Mark guy can break the bad news to the industry.

Seriously he didn't do his home work on what dot looks at when the truck is weighed for a overload. Just plain mis-information.

Please enlighten us on what you think is the info me missed and the DOT guys look for?

[Cummins12V98]

Most of it was good but the fact he used 15% pin weight in his calculations is a JOKE!!!

I liked him saying use the RV's GVWR as a starting point, NOT the dry weight.

[Me_Again]

Another chapter in RV.net weight police manual. Watched the first few second of the first one. He never mentioned the federal bridge weight laws or state licensing for load which are what is enforced.