legal towing wieghts?

[L0veless]

ok lets not get into "I tow with this no problem"
I know laws are different from state to state.
are there any laws on the books that make it illegal to tow exceeding gvw?
example Code? currently in a P*ssing contest and would like to know it is illegal per state code...…
Or am I misinformed. we all know this is hardly ever enforced but legal is legal. or if I'm in an accident being over weight your cited for reckless driving or something.

thank you

[1retired06]

My guess, likely varies by state. I was pulled over in California by State Police for a spot check a few years ago. Another rig was there that failed and was not allowed to continue. We were also involved in an accident outside of St Louis, other driver cited, BUT we were escorted to the nearest weigh station, and that information become part of the accident report. For us, from any possible legal, liability, or safety issue perspective, we stay within standard.

[MidMOTraveler]

Just speaking for Missouri now but , when you buy plates for a truck it’s up to you to claim and purchase the correct give plate .
They offer in 6,12,18 not sure on 20 or 24 but 26 K
After that 30K gets into commercial.
I run 26 K on our F450 and scale at 25,750
I see lots of F350 running 12K plates with 40’ campers
never see any stopped but I don’t want any issues.
I thought the yellow sticker on the door post is really the Bible on trucks weight.

[DutchmenSport]

In Indiana, a privately owned truck (not commercial) is tagged based on the total gross weight of the vehicle, which is everything the truck will ever carry in the bed of the truck as well as the truck itself.

My dualy, on the door jab, says the max weight for my vehicle is something over 12,000 pounds. When I first plated the truck, I had a good talk with the rep at the BVM. She was going to give me a plate tag for 7,000 pounds, which is the bottom weight for private own pick-up trucks. I asked her, what would happen if I overloaded the total weight, more than 7,000 pounds, and she said, if caught, I'd be fined for being overweight.

On the other had, if I had a Chevy 1500 or an F150 that had a max weight for everything of 7000 pounds or less, I could still get it plated for 11,000 pounds and not be in any kind of violation in Indiana if I were caught, say for example with a total weight of 9000 pounds, because it's plated for 11,000, even if the truck is rated rated at only 7000.

I decided right then to go with the 11,000 pound tag, which was the closest I could get without jumping over the line to a commercial license plate. My truck by itself weighs over 7000 pounds. Add another 3 or 4 to the bed of the truck and .. well, I'd be over the licensed weight rating.

Now, she did tell me, and I confirmed this with a law enforcement officer one day, that if I had a bumper-pull trailer, the tongue weight on the ball hitch does not add to the weight of the trailer, but a fifth wheel trailer will, as the king pin is resting on the bed of the truck.

I've never been stopped anywhere or for any reason to be weighed.

[DadsHemi]

You should not go over the manufactures ratings.

[QKnot]

In Washington, specifically for not-for-hire vehicles, you would be fined for going over your registered capacity (RCW 46.16A.540). That's defined as the weight listed on your registration. The fine is that you must register your vehicle for the new weight and your first offense is $25-$50. (RCW 46.16A.545).

Vehicles exceeding 6000 lbs must be licensed for at least 150% of their empty weight but must also be licensed for the max load they will carry. You register it in 2000 lb increments. You don't have to include the trailer weight if it's for personal use (RCW 46.16A.455). You can increase your registered GVWR. It makes no mention of manufacturer's GVWR.

In conclusion, for private vehicles in Washington, if you do get stopped and weighed, it's a slap on the wrist and probably not worth the officer's time unless it's visibly grossly unsafe. I make absolutely no claim as to whether that's a good idea or not. People's feelings on this topic are strong. I am also not a lawyer. You can look up the laws I've cited for yourself.

Realistically, the only checks of private vehicles I've ever seen at the weigh station where I live are for invasive species on boats. They aren't likely to stop a 2500 pulling a 5th wheel.

[Eagleback]

You are ok until your not, like in an accident if its your fault or maybe not. Insurance company's might deny claim, legal problems like being sued or fined. Tickets cost money along with negligence. And god help you if you killed or severely injure others.

[L0veless]

I'm well below my limits Ram 3500 DRW pulling 16000 lbs. 5th.

I was just trying to get through all the chatter about towing and wanted to define "legal"
since there are so many passionate discussions on this topic.
with similar post on another board the results are about the same.
Sticker on the truck is "legally" meaningless. Conclusion is the sticker is a guide for reasonable people.

thank you all for your input

think my next set up will be a Chevy Colorado pulling the 16000 lbs 5th wheel

[mlh]

I asked my Allststate agent if Allststate could deny coverage if I was overweight. They said no and called Allststate Corp to make sure. They can’t deny coverage if you are overweight or speeding, run a stop light or are driving drunk. If they could they would never pay a claim.
Lynwood

[Eagleback]

Originally Posted by mlh

I asked my Allststate agent if Allststate could deny coverage if I was overweight. They said no and called Allststate Corp to make sure. They can’t deny coverage if you are overweight or speeding, run a stop light or are driving drunk. If they could they would never pay a claim.
Lynwood

It had to do with overweight and negligents. Like an accident that was cause by you. Not over weight and drunk and i would like to find that policy that pays for drunk driving.

[mazboy]

you are over thinking it. relax, and enjoy your travels. you have insurance and that will cover whatever you have in the policy.

[CADman_KS]

Not to throw fuel onto the fire, but I was following a YouTube video recently about a guy who owns a business. He was pulling a trailer with his 2500 HD 2020 GMC, and got pulled over. The officer told him that since it was a business, he couldn't be over 26,000 pound RATING with what his truck GVWR is and what his trailer GVWR is, UNLESS he had a CDL. Not going to get into whether that's true or not, because I don't know, and I don't ever plan on getting a CDL.

BUT, the comments that ensued from that where of the nature that it does NOT matter whether you are a business or not, if you're over 26,000 TOTAL GVWR of the trailer and truck, you need a CDL, or something more than a class C license.

So, as I thought about that, that doesn't make sense to me. For example, if that were the law, you could NOT pull our 5er with a 2500, because the GVWR on the truck is 10K, and the GVWR on our 5er is 16.5K, so you're at 26,500. Not what you weigh, but what you could weigh. Now, the issue with that is that there is NO way that you're anywhere's close to legal on payload in the truck with a 2500. That would also mean that if you had a 3500 DRW which has a GVWR of 14K, you could ONLY pull a 12K 5er without going over the 26K. Those two numbers and the capabilities of the trucks appear to be going in the wrong directions!

As I looked at my license, I wasn't for sure. My license says, "Class C: Any single vehicle with a GVWR less than 26,001 lbs." So, does that mean that my truck is the single vehicle, or the truck and trailer together is the single vehicle. Because, if it's together, we are over 26,001 GVWR...

[Montana Man]

Your insurance will cover your negligence such as overloading. They may not renew, or upcharge you like a dui. You could be shopping for new insurance and you won't save $500 in 15 minutes going to Geico.

The question to ask your agent is, I purposely overloaded my truck prior to that wreck and intend to continue to do it, do you mind?

[Fish]

Originally Posted by CADman_KS

Not to throw fuel onto the fire, but I was following a YouTube video recently about a guy who owns a business. He was pulling a trailer with his 2500 HD 2020 GMC, and got pulled over. The officer told him that since it was a business, he couldn't be over 26,000 pound RATING with what his truck GVWR is and what his trailer GVWR is, UNLESS he had a CDL. Not going to get into whether that's true or not, because I don't know, and I don't ever plan on getting a CDL.

BUT, the comments that ensued from that where of the nature that it does NOT matter whether you are a business or not, if you're over 26,000 TOTAL GVWR of the trailer and truck, you need a CDL, or something more than a class C license.

So, as I thought about that, that doesn't make sense to me. For example, if that were the law, you could NOT pull our 5er with a 2500, because the GVWR on the truck is 10K, and the GVWR on our 5er is 16.5K, so you're at 26,500. Not what you weigh, but what you could weigh. Now, the issue with that is that there is NO way that you're anywhere's close to legal on payload in the truck with a 2500. That would also mean that if you had a 3500 DRW which has a GVWR of 14K, you could ONLY pull a 12K 5er without going over the 26K. Those two numbers and the capabilities of the trucks appear to be going in the wrong directions!

As I looked at my license, I wasn't for sure. My license says, "Class C: Any single vehicle with a GVWR less than 26,001 lbs." So, does that mean that my truck is the single vehicle, or the truck and trailer together is the single vehicle. Because, if it's together, we are over 26,001 GVWR...

I understand gvwr to be the weight of your truck, including the weight in the bed (as in the pin weight of your 5er). I think you're talking about gross combined vehicle weight rating, gcvwr.

[mlh]

Originally Posted by Montana Man

Your insurance will cover your negligence such as overloading. They may not renew, or upcharge you like a dui. You could be shopping for new insurance and you won't save $500 in 15 minutes going to Geico.

The question to ask your agent is, I purposely overloaded my truck prior to that wreck and intend to continue to do it, do you mind?

My agent told me I had had insurance with Allststate long enough I was grandfathered in and would ever be canceled. I ask if I had several wrecks would they raise my premiums, she just smiled. I took that to mean yes or maybe H yes.
Lynwood

[jeffba]

Well I have learned several things from this site. One of them is that if ever in an accident and the other vehicle is a SRW towing a 5th wheel. Make it a point to tell the officer that I think the other vehicle is over-weight. Harder to make that point if they are driving a dually. If the other vehicle is at fault, overweight and injuries are involved, I will ask the lawyer to pursue negligence. Serious injuries, do a web search and see if they posted knowingly that they were over weight and did not care. Then go for gross negligence. Any form of negligence will easily exceed the limits of their policy. Hopefully their umbrella policy covers the balance.


food for thought.

[mtheo]

Originally Posted by 1retired06

My guess, likely varies by state. I was pulled over in California by State Police for a spot check a few years ago. Another rig was there that failed and was not allowed to continue. We were also involved in an accident outside of St Louis, other driver cited, BUT we were escorted to the nearest weigh station, and that information become part of the accident report. For us, from any possible legal, liability, or safety issue perspective, we stay within standard.

It is hard for me to believe you were pulled over by the CHP in CA for and inspection. I've never hear of that. I been towing doubles for the last 20 years and have never heard of any body pulled over for that.

It must have been a bad day for that officer.

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by Fish

I understand gvwr to be the weight of your truck, including the weight in the bed (as in the pin weight of your 5er). I think you're talking about gross combined vehicle weight rating, gcvwr.

Yeah, that makes sense, but there also guys out there that hot shot without a CDL, and they make sure that the entire truck, trailer, and trailer payload are u see 26K.

So what is the GCVWR according to federal DOT, or is there such a thing?

[McRod]

Originally Posted by L0veless

ok lets not get into "I tow with this no problem"
I know laws are different from state to state.
are there any laws on the books that make it illegal to tow exceeding gvw?
example Code? currently in a P*ssing contest and would like to know it is illegal per state code...…
Or am I misinformed. we all know this is hardly ever enforced but legal is legal. or if I'm in an accident being over weight your cited for reckless driving or something.

thank you

Look at your state issued driver's license and determine the class of license. Then go on your state DMV website and it will tell you what GVWR is allowed per that class. TX is 26,000lbs for a class C license, iirc.

[McRod]

Originally Posted by CADman_KS

Yeah, that makes sense, but there also guys out there that hot shot without a CDL, and they make sure that the entire truck, trailer, and trailer payload are u see 26K.

So what is the GCVWR according to federal DOT, or is there such a thing?

If they are hot shotting as a commercial business they fall under DOT rules and are required to have a commercial driver's license per below. Get the connection?... Commercial business, commercial license? Private licenses(non commercial) fall under state law.

Specifically:
CDL must be obtained by the driver of any of the following vehicles:

1.Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

2. Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.

3. Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.

4. Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

Source: Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Act - Nationwide CDL Program.