GVWR margins?

[Chris Cordes]

So empty stock my H3T weight 4911 lbs. I have added an ARB guard with winch, UCP ,roof rack, truck rack, leveling kit, hi lift and tools etc. Im sure I add quite a bit when I go camping between food water gear and people as well. Anyway I looked at my GVWR and its 6001 lbs! :Wow1: Maybe Im wrong but I must be pushing on that without gear just daily driving right? How bad is it to exceed that weight?

 

[locrwln]

I would worry more about exceeding the tires and/or the rear axle weight rating. If you are below that, then drive on. My F350 is only rated for 9900lb GVWR. It weighs 7800lbs empty. That leaves just 2100lbs of payload by GVWR. The rear tires are rated at a little over 6800lbs at 80psi and it just so happens that is what the rear axle weight Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is according to the sticker on the door jamb...

Now when you look up the specs on the Visteon 10.5" rear axle, they rate the axle for 9999lbs (or there abouts).

I have 94k miles on my truck and at least 50k of that is hauling a cabover weighing at least 3500lb loaded (never weighed, just guessing there). With the cabover loaded up for a trip, I am right around 11000-11500lbs. Which is above the GVWR, but well within the tires and axles. Clear as mud???

Again, JMHO, but as long as the tires and axle is not overloaded, you are fine. Keep in mind that almost every "overland" rig is well above the GVWR as are most RV'ers, but within the GAWR.

Jack

 

[greg mgm]

If you want to be safe, load up your vehicle and have it weighed front and rear separately. If you're over the GVWR, you could shift some of the load into a trailer.

 

[Chris Cordes]

Thanks thats really helpful I will definitely go check that out

 

[Scoutn79]

GVWR takes more into account than just tire and axle carrying capacity. Don't forget you need to be able to stop this thing. You also need to support and control the load ...is the suspension up to the task? Also steering components can take a real beating from being overloaded AND THEN used hard while traveling off road. Yes most trucks (especially pick ups) are designed to handle loads above the rated capacity because people overload them all the time and manufacturers know this, BUT, you need to consider all items affected by the weight not just the obvious parts.
Darrell

 

[Chris Cordes]

Alright so the front GAWR is 3280 and the rear is 3400. (Not very high but I guess it is a light truck) Anyway I would guess that that will be plenty with basic stuff plus a roof tent and maybe two bikes

 

[NuggetHoarder]

It's all good and well until it isn't. If you're over the designed payload and someone gets hurt, expect bad consequences. Lots of money if you hit a car, potentially prison if you hit a school bus since there will be an exhaustive investigation of the facts. Just something to keep in mind.

I've struggled with this payload problem mightily with my Jeep. The payload is 1,100 lbs. Add a couple guys and a full cooler and half the payload is used up. Doesn't leave much for racks, winches and camping gear. You just have to whittle down your gear or get a trailer or both.

What I've learned going through this process is that the bottom line is keep it safe. It's not worth hurting someone else just because I want more "stuff".

 

[Chris Cordes]

My problem is with the winch/bumper I can take me one person and maybe some food water and fuel. I would probably go over with a roof tent

 

[wjeeper]

Maybe Im wrong but I must be pushing on that without gear just daily driving right? How bad is it to exceed that weight?

My $.02 is that your perfectly fine! Manufacturers always tend to rate vehicles on the conservative side, its a CYA i suppose....its not like your trying to haul some mondo fifth wheel with your truck. The weight of your passengers and camping gear/ daily driving etc is something I wouldn't wouldn't even think twice about........its not like the GVWR plolice are going to swoop in with their black helicoptors, weigh your truck, impound your rig and then arrest you :sombrero:

Yesterday I drove a 3/4 ton truck-trailer that tipped the scale at just over 22,000 pounds:

[/IMG]
I am sure that this combo exceeds the manufactures ratings, but its safe. Common sense tells me so. The load was within the trailers weight limit, the brakes (trailer and truck) can halt the load well and I kept the appropriate weight on the pin, the load was secured and I stuck to the slow lane. No black helicopters:bike_rider:

 

[762X39]

It's all good and well until it isn't. If you're over the designed payload and someone gets hurt, expect bad consequences. .

Although it may be common for people to overload their vehicles doesn't mean you shouldn't put it on a diet or use a trailer. Now that you have posted on the internet, the whole world knows about your "weight problem". If anything were to happen, there is clear proof you knew about the problem. Try and fight that during civil litigation.
Not trying to put a damper on your adventures but now that you have acknowledged the problem...