GVWR exceeded by camper

[762X39]

Really? Do ya think? I guess you didn't read the part where I mention having bought a dually...

Lighten up dude, my comments are not aimed at you but the 25,000 people that also read this post and wonder through no fault of their own (because they asked the expert at the camper dealership) how much truck they need.

 

[Sleeping Dog]

I agree that many are, but not all. I was surprised when shopping for our camper that so many camper dealers told us we'd be fine with a 3/4 ton truck when that clearly would put us way over the GVWR.

We've had our rig ('99 F350 SRW with a Bigfoot C25 10.6) on a scale and loaded for a trip we are right at the GVWR.

With SRW trucks you are very likely to find tires are your limiting factor. Careful selection of tires and attention to inflation pressures will be important.

A number of years ago I conducted a small experiment at an RV show. Looking at 24' trailers, I stopped at a several manufacturers/dealers and asked their recommendation for a truck towing capacity. They all asked what truck I owned, to half the mfg/dealers I said that I had a truck that I knew would be at its max towing capacity with a 24' trailer, to the others I said that I'd be buying a new truck. Overwhelming the those to whom I said that I had an existing truck said it would be adequate and those who believed I was getting a new truck recommended that what ever truck I purchased their trailer's gross weight, should be no more than 60% of the trucks towing capacity.

Jim

 

[redthies]

Lighten up dude

I guess typed sarcasm or direction of comment doesn't come across well in either direction. I wasn't put out by your comment at all. It's good to see a thread like this so more people will pay attention to what they are trying to haul or tow with way to little truck. It's all fine until something unexpected happens...

 

[adam88]

Worse case?
If you get in an accident, you can be cited or sued as at fault for an unsafe rig, whether you were or not the one causing it, that's if you survive an accident due to driving an overloaded vehicle exceeding component capabilities. Don't forget to add about 1,000#s for 4 people and all your junk for 3 days camping too.

Unlikely. They would need to prove the rig was unsafe, e.g., something was overloaded. For instance if a tire blew out, it would need to be shown in court that it blew out due to exceeding the weight limit of it. Or if a spring broke, it would need to be shown it broke due to exceeding the weight limit. No court would simply deem a vehicle unsafe because it exceeded the manufacturer's decal. Many trucks drive overloaded legally on a daily basis. Precautions are taken when a truck is overloaded, e.g., it drives slower and has extra equipment.

As long as you aren't overloading any component of the truck, there's virtually no liability you will suffer. Additionally, some components rated by Ford are lowered in capacity due to wheels. For instance, The Visteon 10.5 rear axle can handle well over 10,000lbs. This could be shown in court from the manufacturer, etc. Bottom line is... liability needs to be proven. E.g.... I am driving a truck that overloaded the GVWR by 3,000#. My wheel blows out and I slam into a bus killing 30 people. My truck is weighed and it determines that my tire had plenty of room and was aired up properly. No issues... no liability. Can't sue someone for unsafe rig if you can't prove it was unsafe.

I've heard the "you'll be sued" argument, but in all my internet battles over GVWR NO ONE has ever pointed to ANY case where someone has been sued due to exceeding GVWR. It's just a myth.

 

[adam88]

Is a simple matter of knowing your rigs PAYLOAD capacity.

The big issue is that knowing your payload capacity can be difficult. Simply going by the decal on the side of the car works sometimes, but not all the time. Case and point, many Ford F350's are rated at 10,000 GVWR when they would have had a 12,000lb+ GVWR from the factory. If I put 12,000# on a normal F350, and 12,000# on an F350 with a sticker that says 10,000#, am I any less safe?

This is the same with the F250's. I have a 2006 F250. I don't know about current years, but in my model year the F250 was IDENTICAL to the F350 except for two things: #1) Rear Suspension. The F350 came with an overload leaf spring and a 4" block, and #2) Tires. The F350 came with . The F350 had an overload leaf spring and a bigger block. However, if your F250 came with "Camper Package" (as mine did) then it got the same rear suspension as an F350. The only difference then was the tires. Switch out tires to E loaded ones and you've got yourself an F350. Because of this, I treat my F250 like an F350. I've put F350 badges on it and I consider it to have the payload of an F350. If I ever got into an accident, I could prove in court that my truck was identical in components to the F350 using Ford's manual, and therefore no one could sue me for negligence or for being unsafe. Period. I can go into more detail in yet another post below, because I enjoy talking about this stuff. It's important to note I am not condoning going over GVWR if it's UNSAFE. Some GVWR stickers may be accurate... but people need to use their heads too.

 

[Regcabguy]

Everyone is overweight with truck campers, as long as your good on your back axel and tires your golden.

My friend certainly is he's got an '05 GMC Duramax qcsb srw 2500. The local Lance dealer sold him a loaded 855s with a dry weight of 2650#. Easily 3200# wet. The truck basically sits on the bumpstops. He's running 285-75-16 load range E BFG KO's. 3195# rated. Braking and handling is pitiful. He insists that since the dealer sold him the truck it must be kosher. I've urged him to go get weighed but...The rear axles,rims and tires have to be way overloaded. I'm certain Canada would turn him around.