Towing Overweight???

Just FYI, there are some triple axle 5th wheel toy haulers out there that are under 14,000 GVWR. They are typically designed that way for traversing sand.

When we picked up our new fiver we had to sign something promising that we had enough truck and I knew how to tow. Of course I didn't know how to tow it. I'd never driven a fifth wheel before. NOW I know how to tow it.

Agree with all the DOT weight responses and as far as stopping power I believe without the trailer brakes most pickup trucks would struggle with heavy loads. Could be wrong but I also think a F 250 and a F-350 have the same size brakes.

When we went shopping for our current TH and nearly a dozen local dealers told us we could tow anything on their lot with our Chevy 3/4 ton gasser. The only dealer that was straight with us on our TV's actual towing capabilities is where we made our purchase. From my experience most dealers and their sales personnel just want to make the sale placing many in uncomfortable towing situations.

We actually were very near closing on a rig from another dealer that would have put us at least 1500# over and that's without toys and water. Wanting to be thorough we went and visited the last dealer in our area with TH rigs on the lot. Thankfully we did and the first thing their salesman told us after inspecting our truck is that he would only show us rigs we could safely tow, first time we heard that.

Hookem2004 wrote:
I know that this has been discussed in length about towing over weight. And it's not towing and moving the trailer but the main issue is stopping. And if you get into an accident you can or will be 100% at fault being overloaded.

I am just curious how I see many 5th wheel toy haulers with triple axles being towed by a 3/4 ton truck. I know they have to over their towing limits. How do they get the dealer to sell them these trailers?

Reason I ask is the wife and I were looking at a new fiver and the dealer would sell it to use but told us that we'd have to have a truck with the proper towing capacity that we are looking at.

I have no intentions of towing out of class, but just blows me away that I see other's doing it. And I'm not talking about 1,000lbs over, it's got to be 3-4,000lbs over.

First you have to understand that the Manufacturers stated capacities are NOT LEGAL limits. They are the weight to which the Manufacturer will warranty the vehicle to tow, or carry. So your first statement is well false. You are only 100% at fault IF you cause the accident, and that is if you are under the factory cap, or over the factory caps. Very few TVs, and RVs will be over the DOT weight limits, and that is where the law comes in. DOT sets the weight law, not the manufacturer.

Second. "Most" dealers will sell you the TT, or 5er you want. What you tow it with is none of their concern. It is completely the driver's responsibility to use the proper TV. Every thing that happens on the highway falls on the driver's shoulders. Dealers have no control over your TV. They can suggest, but not require you to use a certain TV. You give them your money, and drive away. They are done with you unless you come back for warranty work. It's that simple.

When you state "towing overweight", you might want to be a little more specific. Are you talking about towing above the manufactures weight rating? I ask because I am unaware of any legal weight that rating actually holds. It is more marketing and engineering working somewhat together to decide on a balance of what will sell trucks in combination of what they are willing to cover for warranty purposes.

No legal ramifications of going over the manufacture weight ratings.

Money. It's always about the money.