Finally got weights from CAT scale
I had posted another thread last week about towing my 37' Grand Design Reflection with my F250...there were lots of posts with lots of good feedback. I was finally able to get my rig to the nearest C...
Forum Discussion
ramgunner wrote:
Since you ask about the level of risk...
On your best day, you are still stressing components beyond their ratings. But your best day won't count when looking at risk.
IF you are ever involved in an accident while towing, they (LE, insurance companies, and lawyers) will look at everything - any every little thing. If you were towing over any of your limits, they will latch onto that.
Do you want to be sitting in court when the lawyer representing the widow of the deceased driver of the vehicle you hit points that fact out to the ladies and gentlemen of the jury? He will have an expert witness to explain what that means to them - and it won't be "Oh, it's just a law like the speed limit", although he would point out in that case exceeding the speed limit could also bring up negligence. He will also have a copy of the owners manual that shows the GVWR and all of the warnings not to exceed it. He might even show them a copy of this thread. He will have a copy of your weights from the scales as proof, and CAT will be able to provide a witness as to their accuracy. Do you think Ford will provide a witness that will say "The numbers don't mean anything" or will they say "We clearly recommend that none of the weight ratings be exceeded"?
How much insurance do you have? How many assets do you have? That's your level of risk on the civil side.
If a prosecutor becomes involved on the criminal side, there is a good chance he might want to put you before a jury too. He might himself tow over his limits, but don't expect that to sway his decision. He has a job, and that's to put people like you in front of a jury. He will have that same expert witness, plus state DOT folks that will be happy to explain it to the jury.
That jury won't just cost you money. You could end up serving time, and with a criminal record. That's your potential risk on the criminal side.
Will you ever have a "worst day"? You can't control what other drivers do. You can only make sure that you are safe on your end.
Can you give a specific example that can be looked up ?
