Is being a little over GVWR no worse than doing 60 in a 55?

John wrote:
Often times GVWR is limited to less than f+R awr due to brakes. We know the frame is designed for the full rating at each end, so there is something else limiting it.

There are times where exceeding GVWR isn't a big deal, and other times where it is. It really just depends on what your using.

Actually brakes on a vehicle ( our trucks or trailers) are determined by the axle rating;

NHTSA says this about components of the GAWR:
"Gross Axle Weight Rating is the rated load-carrying capacity of an individual axle and wheel assembly. (It represents the load that may be steadily sustained by the components in the system; i.e., tires, rims, hubs, bearing, axles, brakes, suspension, sub frame, etc. with the GAWR limited by the components with the lowest working rating".

This is one big reason dot allows us to use the sum of the vehicles axle rating as the vehicles GVW (if required) and another reason GVWR doesn't determine how much load the truck can carry safely/legally.

Many times its not the tires that is the weak link in any size truck. looking at tire/wheels/spring rate spec on Fords 150/250/350 trucks shows the wheels with the lowest rating on some trucks and others its the spring pack.

rhagfo wrote:

dieseltruckdriver wrote:
OK, I read through the first page plus a few posts of three pages, and hopefully someone said this already.

Look at the sidewall of your tires, they will list a max weight per tire. Pay very close attention to that number. If you are maxing that number out, or going over it, going 60 in a 55 will be worse than going over what the owners manual says should be your maximum weight.

If you are exceeding the weight limits of your tires, you really do need to slow down, and make sure the tires are at maximum inflation listed. This is a much bigger safety issue in my opinion. You have a a very real chance of a blowout.

That should be slow down to a dead stop and either put higher capacity tires AND rim on OR reduce your load.

Exceeding GVWR is one thing, as on some TV it is as low as 78% of total axles capacity, or in my case 65% of total tire capacity.

Exceeding axle capacity gets real questionable, as GRAWR is usually tied to tire capacity.

Exceeding tire capacity is asking for big trouble. :S

But that doesn't mean you can throw some LRE tires on a 1/2 ton semi-float axle and load it up.

Not all 1/2 ton rear axles are tire limited, unlike all 3/4 ton rear axles.

Often times GVWR is limited to less than f+R awr due to brakes. We know the frame is designed for the full rating at each end, so there is something else limiting it.

There are times where exceeding GVWR isn't a big deal, and other times where it is. It really just depends on what your using.

I'd have no issues loading up my truck to 2,400lbs over GVWR, but I know all the same components are used in tricks with a rating that high. It's not the same in a 1/2 ton where the parts are at, or very close to, design spec for the most part.

My 0.2 is to stick to axle limits on a 1/2 ton, and try to stay close to GVWR as that's the stoping power the truck has.

Nothing wrong with having too much tire! Just don't assume that going from LRB to LRE will gain a bunch of useable capacity on a 1/2 ton.

dieseltruckdriver wrote:
OK, I read through the first page plus a few posts of three pages, and hopefully someone said this already.

Look at the sidewall of your tires, they will list a max weight per tire. Pay very close attention to that number. If you are maxing that number out, or going over it, going 60 in a 55 will be worse than going over what the owners manual says should be your maximum weight.

If you are exceeding the weight limits of your tires, you really do need to slow down, and make sure the tires are at maximum inflation listed. This is a much bigger safety issue in my opinion. You have a a very real chance of a blowout.

That should be slow down to a dead stop and either put higher capacity tires AND rim on OR reduce your load.

Exceeding GVWR is one thing, as on some TV it is as low as 78% of total axles capacity, or in my case 65% of total tire capacity.

Exceeding axle capacity gets real questionable, as GRAWR is usually tied to tire capacity.

Exceeding tire capacity is asking for big trouble. :S

OK, I read through the first page plus a few posts of three pages, and hopefully someone said this already.

Look at the sidewall of your tires, they will list a max weight per tire. Pay very close attention to that number. If you are maxing that number out, or going over it, going 60 in a 55 will be worse than going over what the owners manual says should be your maximum weight.

If you are exceeding the weight limits of your tires, you really do need to slow down, and make sure the tires are at maximum inflation listed. This is a much bigger safety issue in my opinion. You have a a very real chance of a blowout.

Joel_T wrote:

BenK wrote:
To the OP...yes you could park it and not wear them out from being used...but
then you still have to maintain them...meaning from rotting out just sitting
there...

Why did you, the OP, post this in the first place?...as you surely
understand the principle of it all with your comeback comment of
parking it...

I thought it obvious that I was being facetious. I don't want to abuse my truck but I do intend on using it. Not really knowing what "abuse" might be I thought I'd ask here from those that may have been there done that. What I've gleaned from this weird thread is that tire and axle ratings are probably all that really matter. Well, that and having a front license plate. :R I'm under on tire, axle and combined weight.

If I were to be over a couple hundred on GVW it likely doesn't matter except to the weight police.

The reality is in red, only the RV>NET weight police will give you any bother. Most LEO/CVEO troops will allow upwards of 1000 lbs before truly citing you for being over wt per say. And that overweight is generally speaking based on your paid for gvw, assuming you have a paid for tonnage plate. Its a lot like going 60 in a 55, it takes a certain amount over the speed limit for the leo to pull you over and ticket you.

Marty

inflection via smiley's would help...and you would not believe some of the
threads where that comment was serious... :S

BenK wrote:
To the OP...yes you could park it and not wear them out from being used...but
then you still have to maintain them...meaning from rotting out just sitting
there...

Why did you, the OP, post this in the first place?...as you surely
understand the principle of it all with your comeback comment of
parking it...

I thought it obvious that I was being facetious. I don't want to abuse my truck but I do intend on using it. Not really knowing what "abuse" might be I thought I'd ask here from those that may have been there done that. What I've gleaned from this weird thread is that tire and axle ratings are probably all that really matter. Well, that and having a front license plate. :R I'm under on tire, axle and combined weight. If I were to be over a couple hundred on GVW it likely doesn't matter except to the weight police.

mkirsch wrote:
What the heck is so objectionable about a front plate that people were removing them from their vehicles in apparently large numbers the moment word got out about the change in law?

Gotta make room for that rebel flag plate or something?

You don't see many rebel flags around here lol. I guess some people like the way their car looks with a bare front end. I still see lots of brand new luxury cars riding around without a front bracket even being installed, even after the law was put back in place. I guess if you pay a dealer enough they'll do anything you ask lol. Apparently it's a big thing on the custom car and truck scene. Some did it so they could run their own decorative plates like those team vanity plates.

Makes no matter whether or not they were convicted or not...the real thought is
that they were prosecuted...AKA brought up on charges of negligence

Then the potential civil suit(s)

Then noodle that both can and does happen all the time for all kinds of negligence...

To the OP...yes you could park it and not wear them out from being used...but
then you still have to maintain them...meaning from rotting out just sitting
there...

Why did you, the OP, post this in the first place?...as you surely
understand the principle of it all with your comeback comment of
parking it...

kaydeejay wrote:
All vehicle manufacturers are required to certify to the Federal Government that their vehicles comply with all Safety and Emission standards on the date of manufacture (read the label on your door).
GVWR is the MAXIMUM weight at which the manufacturer will stand behind the vehicle in meeting those regs.
If you go over GVWR your truck is NOT going to fall apart but be aware of the following possible (but unlikely) scenarios:

• You may wear out driveline components faster than their designed life
• Your dealer could void your drivetrain & suspension warranty
• If you were involved in an accident you could be cited for overloading
• Following such an accident you insurance company could terminate coverage

Bearing all of the above in mind, I would not get too excited about 200-400# overweight.
Where I would start to get concerned would be at 1000# or more over.
Many years ago I was involved in a couple of court cases where drivers involved in accidents WERE prosecuted for being 1000# and 1500# over. They were charged with negligence.
Just be careful!

Question is were they convicted?

We all know that the car that changes lanes directly in front of you is not at fault for slamming on their brakes!! :S

This is why I have a dash cam!