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Cedarcityman's avatar
Cedarcityman
Explorer
May 17, 2017

The weight police

"My trailer tows just fine" "I don't care about my weight" "5th wheels are not commercial vehicles so what I tow is my business"
I am new here, but not new to scales and weights. I worked at one of the busiest Cat scales in the country. We were located close to a CHP weigh station. I am amazed at the lack of concern about what a TV can tow SAFELY. The first thing I did was take my new truck loaded up the wife, the dogs, filled the tank, added a few gallons of water and went down to the Cat scales. It takes a little time to figure out what you can tow, all the numbers can be a little confusing. However it is very important to know these weight limits. The life of yourself, your family and all the people you share the road with are at risk when you over loaded. I am not talking about a 100lbs, but when you are 1000lbs or more, you are a danger to the rest of us who share the road.

On a second note, when a dealer tells you that your truck can tow anything they have on the lot, RUN. It either shows a lack of knowledge or lack of concern for your safety. I recently was on a lot looking at a used DRV. I know it was too heavy, but just wanted to take a look. A salesman came up and said "nice unit". Of course I agreed, but said my truck can't tow something that heavy. He says my truck can tow anything he sells. I didn't argue, I just left the lot.

Sorry for the long rant, I just had to get this off my chest and as far as the "weight police" keep trying to inform people, most don't listen but some might and you may save a life or two while you are at it.

49 Replies

  • Redwoodcamper wrote:
    I wish people put as much care into driving skills than ranting about towing weights...


    Bingo.
  • goducks10 wrote:
    troubledwaters wrote:
    How many times have you heard of someone getting killed because they are over the weight limits? I'm not now or have ever said anyone should tow overweight but your post is a little "Sky is Falling".


    Someone doesn't have to die to be seriously injured and screwed for life.
    When I rode motorcycles I always looked in the rear view mirror at stop lights. Last thing I wanted was someone not paying attention and slamming into me. How about an overweight RV not being able to stop in time and hitting me at 25 mph? I would be messed up pretty good.
    Not trying to be a Debbie downer, just saying that causing a wreck of any kind creates it's own set of problems that could've been eliminated with common sense.
    IMO it's no different than texting while driving or doing anything else that distracts you.


    One of my brothers in law had that same thing happen to him. Stopped at a light and a 23 y.o. drunk female ran him over, and kept on going. You could see the tire tread in the bruises across his chest, back and ribs. He coded 2 times while in the hospital but survived and continues to ride.

    While I'm not part of the weight police, I do agree that we, as responsible RV owners, =need= to know our weights, and the OP's "rant" isn't off-target.

    Lyle
  • Redwoodcamper wrote:
    I wish people put as much care into driving skills than ranting about towing weights. I see many more crashes due to clueless unattentive drivers than overweight loads. Just my opinion.


    Cause there's millions more driving not paying attention than over weight. Could be worse, could be over weight and not paying attention. :)
  • I am with OP and goducks10..... maybe stopping 10-20' sooner (having the ability with tv and trailer
    could have saved an accident? Yes, am a female, do ALL the driving... either tv/fifth-wheel or motorhome and toad. Same thing "stopping" applies to supplemental braking systems on toads.
    Drivers choice and maybe my life or serious injuries?

    My rant over.
  • "I see many more crashes due to clueless unattentive drivers than overweight loads."

    Exactly and you always will...because overloaded TVs usually don't crash...usually. Just like using a cell phone usually doesn't cause a crash...usually. Properly sized loads lower the chance of an issue. That's all the "police" are seeking...fewer accidents.
  • troubledwaters wrote:
    How many times have you heard of someone getting killed because they are over the weight limits? I'm not now or have ever said anyone should tow overweight but your post is a little "Sky is Falling".


    Someone doesn't have to die to be seriously injured and screwed for life.
    When I rode motorcycles I always looked in the rear view mirror at stop lights. Last thing I wanted was someone not paying attention and slamming into me. How about an overweight RV not being able to stop in time and hitting me at 25 mph? I would be messed up pretty good.
    Not trying to be a Debbie downer, just saying that causing a wreck of any kind creates it's own set of problems that could've been eliminated with common sense.
    IMO it's no different than texting while driving or doing anything else that distracts you.
  • I wish people put as much care into driving skills than ranting about towing weights. I see many more crashes due to clueless unattentive drivers than overweight loads. Just my opinion.
  • troubledwaters wrote:
    How many times have you heard of someone getting killed because they are over the weight limits?
    You're far more likely to have tow vehicle problems rather than kill someone.
  • How many times have you heard of someone getting killed because they are over the weight limits? I'm not now or have ever said anyone should tow overweight but your post is a little "Sky is Falling".