GR8ADV
Explorer
PSA. NEVER EVER use ‘wife’ and ‘diet’ in the same sentence.thanks for all the info. learned alot. after i put said gear on the truck, i will get it re-weighed. the wife and i may have to go on a diet
eye opener about gvwr
- Thread starter Wildcat
- Start date
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
For those that still think GVWR is entirely related upon components, Ill just leave this here.
For those that know, much of the GVWR nonsense, especially in the 3/4 and 1-ton pickup world, is related to regulatory/taxing,
as depending upon regulatory $$ involved, MFGs do a dance around that magical 10k GVWR mark.
For those that know, much of the GVWR nonsense, especially in the 3/4 and 1-ton pickup world, is related to regulatory/taxing,
as depending upon regulatory $$ involved, MFGs do a dance around that magical 10k GVWR mark.
Gravelette
Well-known member
That's a cool graphic, showing what type of truck fits each class. If OP had a 10K truck he'd have no worries!
kmcintyre
Observer
I had the same issue when I had my FWC Eagle on a RAM Ecodiesel. I weighed the rig once and wow.... way overweight and even though I upgraded everything I could, the brakes and weight still had me worried. When it was time to upgrade to a flatbed, I went to a 1 ton so I wouldn't have to worry again. I'm still so far underweight, it's great.
DirtWhiskey
Western Dirt Rat
Get. A. Real. Truck.
4 pages of comments and i didn't see the word "insurance" once. Having spent time in that industry, they employ their own engineers and experts who do look at accidents where big claims or fatalities occur. If they can think an accident was caused by an over weight/overloaded vehicle, they'll deny the claim and it would be pretty tough to get them to pay.
Several states, including California, are starting to use portable scales on pickups with truck campers if they appear to have the rear sag. I went thru a checkpoint with mine last year and fortunately, mine was within the limits. If it's over, you have to fix it before you can drive it. The trooper told me if it was really over weight, they'd call a tow truck and take it off the road then and there.
Several states, including California, are starting to use portable scales on pickups with truck campers if they appear to have the rear sag. I went thru a checkpoint with mine last year and fortunately, mine was within the limits. If it's over, you have to fix it before you can drive it. The trooper told me if it was really over weight, they'd call a tow truck and take it off the road then and there.
NevadaLover
Forking Icehole
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Sorry, Missed it but that doesn't really deal with the issue of owner liability in an accident. The insurance industry definitely sways manufacturers on many issues. But their business model, as you all know, is to maximize premiums and minimize payments. And accidents involving overweight vehicles is a win win for them, especially if injury or death is involved. Not to mention the civil liability the "guilty " would be subject to.
tacollie
Glamper
Did they look at GVWR or GAWR? My limited experience with commercial vehicles is they only check axle ratings and GCW.
TonyCatmandu
Member
Interesting on the portable scales and weight checks. I thought they mostly picked on commercial vehicles. Guessing there could be an entire thread on driving in California.
rruff
Explorer
Controlling the vehicle is the driver's responsibility. The vehicle doesn't "cause" the accident. In the US they will absolutely go after the deepest pockets if they can (the car companies), and that's one thing our low GVWRs seek to avoid.
That's what liability insurance is specifically for... driver error. Otherwise it doesn't come into play.
Going too fast, not leaving enough stopping distance, poor judgement of road conditions, poor driving skill, driving while drunk, driving while distracted, etc.
If the liability insurance is inadequate for the claim, then they may go after other assets. I don't know how that works.
Were they pulling over everyone? I think most states have a law that the cop can issue a ticket for an unsafe load, and this is in fact a visual determination. Moral of the story is don't sag...
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
Yep, totally agree as a 10k GVWR truck will most likely have a full float rear axle.
Anything less IMO is trouble, if you are planning on hauling heavy.
Food for thought, we run 20% <------- you read that right, over our max GVWR, and have done so for 50k miles without issue.
We do stay within max axle ratings, as determined by the axle MFG.
But it takes a real truck (not a 1/2 ton anything)
Once you get into 3/4 ton and beyond, especially for todays trucks, the max GVWR is likely leveraged more against regulatory ($$) nonsense than anything.
Todays trucks are good for FAR more than their stated GVWR
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
I call BS, unless you can link a source in CA code for such a requirement/law.
If it were commercial, all day long. But noncommercial, utter BS.
Again, source a link and Ill believe it (even being CA), but until then, you are spewing utter BS.
Gvwr
2025 deleted member
Well-known member
This is where the Ranger super duty would come into play.