Toad overweight?
I have a 2003 Itasca Sunova 30B. I'd love to tow a van with 2 motorcycles in it. The bikes weight about 800 for both of them. I'm looking at vans. The little ford transit connect weights somewhere in ...
Forum Discussion
JFNM wrote:
Exceeding posted limits is never a great idea. Even if the equipment will take it, it gives law enforcement and insurance a reason to blame you for anything that happens.
This is typical line for people who have no experience.
Highway Patrol is not carrying tape measures, nor do the carry scales.
So even going over allowed length is easy to spot, lot of people do that for years.
DOT officers carry scales, but they don't bother privately owned vehicles.
Same with insurance. Will all the accidents that happen in US every minute, nobody reported that insurance lawyer had the involved vehicles weight.
Lastly in US the vehicle weight ratings are usually dictated by government fees.
Let's say a chassis can handle 35,000 lb. But that in truck application would require CDL (RVs are exempt).
CDL requirements would make for less potential buyers, so manufacturer registers the vehicle at 26,000 lb where no CDL is required.
Bottom line, the legal numbers are usually useless and you need to do some research to find out what is technically acceptable.
In Europe 3000 lb sedan towing 5000 lb trailer is every day occurrence, when in US 20,000 lb coach towing 6000 lb is subject to bashing.
And we can't even tow at 100 mph like others do ;)
