gvwr and towing weight?

mowermech wrote:
Yes, the registered GVW in many states IS a legal, never exceed, limit.
It certainly is here in Montana, for CARGO CARRYING vehicles like my Dodge 1500.
The GCW is not, however, listed on the registration. Nor is the GVWR. In fact, you can have just about any GVW you want to pay for, REGARDLESS of the GVWR!
It has been over 40 years since I had a pickup registered in Washington, so I don't remember what was on the registration, but I'm sure the rules have changed anyway.
I would have to go out to the motorhome to check for sure (and I don't want to do that, it is COLD out there!), but I don't recall any GVW shown on the registration. It is not designed for carrying cargo like a truck is. IIRC, RVs are exempt from GVW fees.

I wish RVs in Washington were exempt from Gross Vehicle fees! Not anymore! I think the fee for my last MH was about $300 at renewal. My 2007 Tahoe has a gross weight fee of $20! They do check and charge gross weight fees for personal private vehicles including RVS.

Yes, the registered GVW in many states IS a legal, never exceed, limit.
It certainly is here in Montana, for CARGO CARRYING vehicles like my Dodge 1500.
The GCW is not, however, listed on the registration. Nor is the GVWR. In fact, you can have just about any GVW you want to pay for, REGARDLESS of the GVWR!
It has been over 40 years since I had a pickup registered in Washington, so I don't remember what was on the registration, but I'm sure the rules have changed anyway.
I would have to go out to the motorhome to check for sure (and I don't want to do that, it is COLD out there!), but I don't recall any GVW shown on the registration. It is not designed for carrying cargo like a truck is. IIRC, RVs are exempt from GVW fees.

rk911 wrote:

mowermech wrote:

Seabass69 wrote:
Thanks, I was about 26000 empty when I got it but no idea on the loaded weight. Hitch has a 10000 sticker on it. The problem is trailer is about 12000.... FYI I have been pulling this for 3 years now just wasn't sure what was legal incase I get stopped....

GCWR in most states has no legal standing.
However, the actual vehicle weight divided by the inches of tire width DOES often have a legal limit, AND the weight on each axle often has a legal limit.
From looking at the tag, the MANUFACTURER says you can tow at least 10,000 lbs.
Can you exceed that limit? Well, apparently, you HAVE been exceeding it. Has anything bent or broke? No? Oh, well...
The chances of you getting stopped and weighed in an RV are so slim as to be a non-issue.
However, if you have an accident, nobody knows WHAT will happen!
Good luck.

I would interpret the sticker on the hitch to mean the hitch was rated for 10K which is not necessarily the total amount that can be towed.

This is not exactly true. I don't know about other states but Washington looks at the GCWR and GVWR on the registration which is what you are "licensed" and paid to carry. The state takes under paying gross weight fees very seriously. I would never risk an infraction or even negligent driving on my record by being 2K over the legal weight listed on the registration. I suppose you could increase the registered weight and as long as you don't exceed the state tire loading specifications and be ok at least from a civil and or criminal infraction perspective. Unfortunately, from a liability and insurance perspective you are still exposed.

mowermech wrote:

Seabass69 wrote:
Thanks, I was about 26000 empty when I got it but no idea on the loaded weight. Hitch has a 10000 sticker on it. The problem is trailer is about 12000.... FYI I have been pulling this for 3 years now just wasn't sure what was legal incase I get stopped....

GCWR in most states has no legal standing.
However, the actual vehicle weight divided by the inches of tire width DOES often have a legal limit, AND the weight on each axle often has a legal limit.
From looking at the tag, the MANUFACTURER says you can tow at least 10,000 lbs.
Can you exceed that limit? Well, apparently, you HAVE been exceeding it. Has anything bent or broke? No? Oh, well...
The chances of you getting stopped and weighed in an RV are so slim as to be a non-issue.
However, if you have an accident, nobody knows WHAT will happen!
Good luck.

I would interpret the sticker on the hitch to mean the hitch was rated for 10K which is not necessarily the total amount that can be towed.

wolfe10 wrote:
Add to that that some manufacturers also have a "towing capacity".

yeah, I've seen that but I don't know how they reach their recommendation. and I guess I'm old school. most of the newer weight ratings...CCC, sleeping weights, UVW and the like seem designed to confuse. I think the weight ratings from 30-yrs ago...dry weight, wet weight and payload in addition to the standard GVWR, GCWR, GAWR, etc. were more relevant, for me at least.

the GVWR minus the wet weight (base weight of the MH with full fuel, fresh water and LP tanks) for each axle gave the payload for each axle...the total weight of food, clothing, supplies, people, pets and "stuff" that can be added to the MH. but this had to be determined for each axle. as we learned the total weight of the MH can be less than the GVWR with one axle overweight. yes, this involved some calculations (X gallons of fuel, water and LP at Y-pounds per gallon) but I was happy when my calculations as to what the total vehicle wet weight should be on our new MH was very, very close to the actual wet weight.

but no matter how one gets there it is vital to know what your RV weighs as it rolls down the road. I've seen posts from some who don't care to know or who make all sorts of assumptions about the weight of their RV. personally, I think that's dangerous. no, your RV is not going to collapse if it's a bit overweight but there will be consequences including handling, braking, premature wear of parts, etc.

nope, not trying to be the weight police...everyone makes their own decisions...but there are a lot of newbies out there who are uneducated about the importance of weights and what the various ratings mean and they're sure not getting the information they need from the RV dealers. had it not been for a good friend who had substantial RV experience we would've bought that RV that weighed in less than the GVWR but with the rear axle overweight as it sat on the lot.

GCWR is usually a factory warranty recommendation. Your tow capacity is based on your tire and axle limitations, based on the actual ratings for each one.

Thanks for the help....

found this today on a search
http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/weigh-stations/

I'd always assumed non commercial vehicles were always exempt from weighing in every state. This writeup by triple A amazes me at how many state could require motorhomes to weigh.

oddly, this site (dealing with rental trucks) has completely different info http://www.elitemovinglabor.com/blog/view/26-do-i-need-to-stop-at-weigh-stations-with-a-rental-truck

Seabass69 wrote:
how would DOT look at my situation ?

You may have an issue depending on the state you are driving in. I have been in states that required ALL vehicles over 16,000# GCWR to stop at weigh stations. If they stop you and determine that you are towing over the listed weight on the registration you can be fined and worse you will have to park your trailer because they will not allow you to continue. The state patrol can get the full registration automatically by your plate number. This includes your gross weight. Most people who own RVs don't realize that there is a gross weight fee. It is usually paid when you renew your registration so you don't see a separate bill. However, if you are over your GCWR you will not have paid the proper fees. This is in addition to any civil infraction. If I read what you had above correctly you are 2K over the max rating of your rig. That isn't a trivial amount. This is in addition to any civil liability. Finally, keep in mind that you may have another problem. Most insurance companies will not knowingly insure such setups. If they find out even after a claim they can cancel you and refuse to pay claims. This could leave you with a major problem with even a minor accident.

Seabass69 wrote:
Thanks, I was about 26000 empty when I got it but no idea on the loaded weight. Hitch has a 10000 sticker on it. The problem is trailer is about 12000.... FYI I have been pulling this for 3 years now just wasn't sure what was legal incase I get stopped....

GCWR in most states has no legal standing.
However, the actual vehicle weight divided by the inches of tire width DOES often have a legal limit, AND the weight on each axle often has a legal limit.
From looking at the tag, the MANUFACTURER says you can tow at least 10,000 lbs.
Can you exceed that limit? Well, apparently, you HAVE been exceeding it. Has anything bent or broke? No? Oh, well...
The chances of you getting stopped and weighed in an RV are so slim as to be a non-issue.
However, if you have an accident, nobody knows WHAT will happen!
Good luck.