Why doesn't the math work?
I have received a lot of education from this forum, but I am back with another question. I have learned that my TV payload is 10,000 lbs. and that the GCWR is 23,500 lbs. The TV with passengers and ...
Forum Discussion
Most front 4x4 axles are a size or three smaller than the rear axles, and could never carry the same weight as the much larger rear axles. Most now also have coil springs in the front with softer ratings to provide a quality ride.
So lets look at my 2015 3500 SRW SB 4x4.
GVWR 11,700
Front GAWR 6000
Rear GAWR 7000
Not much in truck and front axle is 4900.
With Fifth wheel almost ready to Arizona trip
Front 5120
Rear 6620
Truck 11,740
Trailer 12,780
Combined 24520
So I can not by the book use the full rear GAWR without going over the GVWR or getting to the 5th wheel tow rating of 17,050 pounds. Our trailer has a 16K GVWR and is weighing around 15780.
So the same RAM truck with long bed has a 12,300 GVWR. Tires, axles, brakes, springs, etc are all the same, except it weighs more with the longer frame and bed. So did they just set the GVWR higher to account for the heavier truck???
I don't thing I will worry about it. Washington State licensed it at 12K and I could pay a little more and license it at 14K. If I licensed it at 14K and carefully loaded the front axle to 6K and rear to 7K totaling 13K, I would be legal based on the licensed weight.
And we have not even talked about the Federal bridge weight laws.
There are NO standards on how manufactures come up with GVWR. If GVWR was a binding number then there would be standards set on how it is determined. Ford will sell you a 3500 with a 10K GVWR for areas that restrict vehicles over 10K.
Chris
So lets look at my 2015 3500 SRW SB 4x4.
GVWR 11,700
Front GAWR 6000
Rear GAWR 7000
Not much in truck and front axle is 4900.
With Fifth wheel almost ready to Arizona trip
Front 5120
Rear 6620
Truck 11,740
Trailer 12,780
Combined 24520
So I can not by the book use the full rear GAWR without going over the GVWR or getting to the 5th wheel tow rating of 17,050 pounds. Our trailer has a 16K GVWR and is weighing around 15780.
So the same RAM truck with long bed has a 12,300 GVWR. Tires, axles, brakes, springs, etc are all the same, except it weighs more with the longer frame and bed. So did they just set the GVWR higher to account for the heavier truck???
I don't thing I will worry about it. Washington State licensed it at 12K and I could pay a little more and license it at 14K. If I licensed it at 14K and carefully loaded the front axle to 6K and rear to 7K totaling 13K, I would be legal based on the licensed weight.
And we have not even talked about the Federal bridge weight laws.
There are NO standards on how manufactures come up with GVWR. If GVWR was a binding number then there would be standards set on how it is determined. Ford will sell you a 3500 with a 10K GVWR for areas that restrict vehicles over 10K.
Chris
